Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Recommended Books
I have my favorite books and authors to recommend. And if you understand Spanish, I sug-
gest reading the lyrics of Mexican
corridos
and
mariachi
songs. A lot of history is in those
songs, they're oral newspapers of their times. Translate
23 de Febrero
and you'll learn about
Pancho Villa and the Mexican viewpoint. And if you read
La Cucaracha,
the lyrics may
surprise you.
B. Traven
, best known for
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
, is my favorite author. Of his
books, I recommend
:
Government
,
(Don't be put off by the title.),
White Rose, Kidnapped
Saint,
and
Night Visitor
.
These stories capture the essence of the Indian-Mexican spirit.
They are as true today as when Traven wrote them in the 1920s. Other books about Mexico
by B. Traven include:
The Carreta
,
Cotton Pickers
,
General from the Jungle
,
March to the
Many of these may be purchased used: try abe.com and Amazon.com.
History
An eyewitness account of the Spanish conquest:
The Discovery and Conquest of Mexico
,
by Bernal Díaz Del Castillo. He's the Marco Polo of New World history.
The Conquest of Mexico
by William Prescott: This is the classic. James Michener would
call Prescott, “The source.”
Cortes and the Downfall of the Aztec Empire
by Jon White: Cultures collide.
Thomas Gage's Travels in the New World by
J. Eric S. Thompson (editor
):
This is the only firsthand account of early Mexico by an Englishman. Thomas Gage, a
Dominican friar, recounts his life and adventures in Mexico from 1625 to 1637. Particularly
valuable for readers interested in Oaxaca,
Indian Mexico
, the church and its missions. At
times, it reads like a spy novel.
Baron Alexander von Humboldt
, Political Essay on Kingdom of New Spain
With a letter of introduction from the King of Spain, a scientist travels across Mexico in
1803. He records his travels and discoveries. He gives his views, illuminating and tabu-
lating everything Mexican: plants, animals, geography, geology, and language. Supremely
informative. Try to find a used, abridged copy.
