El Monstruo : Dread and Redemption in Mexico City

from LTFL_JMLS

An interesting and eccentric history of Mexico City, from the point of view of an American expatriate. Reminded me of reading Mike Royko's writings about Chicago. I didn't QUITE finish it before sending it off to my mom for her birthday (don't tell her!)

from kerns222

Ex-beat does Mexico. The book wanders as did Ross in his life. Book is bloated, but readable, because of its topic. I almost trust what Ross says. He tried. That's good enough for me.

from Robreads

I wanted to like this book, and I read it straight through, but the author confuses a populist approach and opinion with carelessness about the facts. The book is sprinkled with old canards repeated as fact, ranging from things as simple as the origins of the word "gringo" to statements like "Pan...

from magonistarevolt

An irreverent history of Mexico, but mostly it's capital city, from the Pleistocene to swine flu. Mexico City is an enormous and unwieldy mess. 20 million people, 15% unemployment, housing the richest man in the world and many of the world's poorest. Some of the worst air quality on the planet, a...