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Manana Forever?: Mexico And The Mexicans (2011)

by Jorge G. Castañeda(Favorite Author)

3.5 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0375404244 (ISBN13: 9780375404245)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Knopf

review 1: Mañana Forever is an interesting overview of Mexican society that attempts to understand this country and it's people based on a handful of characteristics. I'm always skeptical of attempts to narrowly define complex sociocultural realities, which is an issue Castañeda only addresses in the final pages of his book. I also don't necessarily agree with his contention that industrialization and Americanization are key to a happy and prosperous Mexican future. There is an over use of survey results as the key evidence for Castañeda's main arguments. Keeping a critical eye, this book overall is insightful and interesting.
review 2: I had high hopes for this book. Thought it would be interesting with a chapter titled something like "why Mexicans aren't good at soc... morecer and hate skyscrapers." After a punishing 25 page preface and 13 pages into the "exciting" titled chapter I knew I couldn't make it. You know when an author takes 25 pages to explain what he's trying to say, well, what is he trying to say? I couldn't finish the chapter let alone the book. Lots of rambling and I was never clear what he was trying to say. He invokes many of Mexico's literary heroes with some great quotes but then seems to contradict himself. Reads more like peer reviewed literature. Long preface on distinguishing between national identity and national character. Give me a journalist over an academic any day as an author. less

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