The Medicine of Memory: A Mexica Clan in California
A native Californian, American Book Award winner Murguia (ethnic  studies, San Francisco State Univ.; Southern Front) traces his  own family's history, as well as the long story of Hispanics in  America, back to the 18th century. He grew up mostly in the Los  Angeles area, lived in Mexico, and took part in the Chicano  movement of the 1960s, finally moving to San Francisco in the  1970s. In this "creative nonfiction," he shares some wild  stories of his family and his youth, giving us a zesty taste of  Latino life. Not claiming to be a historian, he offers his  personal take on significant events in the history of  Chicano-Indio culture in California, such as the lynching of a  Mexican woman during the California Gold Rush, the missions and  their effect on Indian culture, and the activist 1970s in San  Francisco. Murguia's spirited writing makes the past and his  family come alive for the reader. Recommended for all libraries  with collections in Hispanic culture, especially those in  California.Gwen Gregory, Colorado Coll. Lib., Colorado SpringsCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.