Empire and Revolution: The Americans in Mexico since the Civil War
This history traces the development of the symbiotic connection between the United States and Mexico from 1864, when American capitalists sought to improve Mexico's infrastructure and thereby gain access to both resources and markets. Under the rule of Porfirio Daz, Americans acquired significant assets, only to lose them during the revolution. Mexico nonetheless continued to be seen as a commercial opportunity. Hart (Latin American history, Univ. of Houston) traces this relationship to the present, building on his earlier works, most notably Revolutionary Mexico: The Coming and Process of the Mexican Revolution. Having spent 12 years researching this book, he brings to light sources not noted elsewhere. The title of this otherwise outstanding work is misleading in that it emphasizes those who implemented the macroeconomic and commercial relations between the nations; Americans in Mexico, e.g., ex-Confederates, Mormons, and even tourists, receive scant attention. Nevertheless, given its insights and the quality of writing, this work is recommended for both academic and public library collections. Daniel Liestman, Florida Gulf Coast Univ., Ft. MyersCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.