10 Best Books about Mexico

A list of what are, in this blogger's humble opinion, the best books about Mexico or written by Mexicans that one can find in the English language.

Mexican Society and Culture Bordering on Chaos: Mexico's Roller-Coaster Journey Toward Prosperity by Andres Oppenheimer

Despite proclaiming Castro's final hour a couple decades prematurely, Oppenhiemer, a top notch reporter for the Miami Herald produced one of the best reads about Mexico's political economy.

Politics in Mexico: The Decline of Authoritarianism by Roderic Ai Camp

I had an occasion to meet Professor camp while he was a guest at the Institute of Latin American studies at the University of Texas where I earned one of my two degrees. Very bright, very nice and just happened to write one of the best books about Mexican Politics written in the English language.

Labyrinth of Solitude by Octavio Paz

Mexico: Biography of Power by Enrique Krauze

Children of Sanchez by Oscar Lewis.

A work of sociology, Children of Sanchez remains a classic not only to that field, but to anyone looking to get insight into what life was like for everyday Mexican in a Mexico City vecindad.

Como Agua Para Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

The Death of Artemio Cruz by Carlos Fuentes

It is dedicated to C. Wright Mills, an American sociologist who wrote the must-read work, The Power Elite.

The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene

This and The Comedians are my two favorites by Greene. I think everyone fan and critic of Greene is in agreement that this is his masterpiece.

Distant Neighbors: A Portrait of the Mexicans by Alan Riding

People's Guide to Mexico by Carl Franz, Lorena Havens and Steve Rogers

When I first got this book, I couldn't put it down. I just kept reading and reading. That is high praise for what is basically a travel book. Equal parts manic adventurism straight out of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson, a bit of Carlos Casteneda, all while being a fun and useful travel guide at the same time.