True Tales from Another Mexico: The Lynch Mob, the Popsicle Kings, Chalino, and the Bronx
What Hernando de Soto did for the economy and politics of Lima, Peru in The Other Path (1989. o.p.), journalist Quinones (the Los Angeles Times) does here for Mexico. While de Soto followed a very systematic path, illustrated with charts, to show the tenacity and enterprising spirit of lime$os, Quinones, an accomplished storyteller, uses a narrative style to grand effect. Sometimes, the narrative takes unbelievable turns, yet the author has met each of his subjects, and, while his text is by necessity anecdotal, his is a refreshing treatment of a country in which everything has been penetrated by the ruling party. He recounts stories of men who dress as women, of the narcotraficantes, and of the chamber of deputies' section called The Bronx, where misbehaving is both common and a specialty. This is an excellent view of the informal economy and various means that are used to get around Mexico's reliclike system of social, economic, and political organization. Highly recommended for academic libraries and for special collections. Rene Perez-Lopez, Jordan-Newby Branch Lib., Norfolk, VACopyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.