Border People: Life and Society in the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands

by Oscar J. Martinez

Book Overview

While the U.S.-Mexico borderlands resemble border regions in other parts of the world, nowhere else do so many millions of people from two dissimilar nations live in such close proximity and interact with each other so intensely. Borderlanders are singular in their history, outlook, and behavior, and their lifestyle deviates from the norms of central Mexico and the interior United States; yet these Mexicans, Mexican-Americans, and Anglo-Americans...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0816514143
• ISBN13: 9780816514144
• Release Date: May 1994
• Publisher: University of Arizona Press
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

A Border Classic

This is a very thoughtful interpretation of border culture. The author is a product of the border himself and is intimately familiar with the dynamics of relationships among many types of people on both sides of the border. Those seeking conceptual and theoretical insights about border peoples in general will find plenty of provocative ideas here. This is destined to become a classic.

Colorful Real-Life Stories

Granted this book is highly original in its conceptualization, methodology, and presentation; Dr. Martinez is well known for his research on the borderlands. What I liked best were the typologies of different border types of people and their oral history interviews. The reader meets some of the most colorful folks imaginable. For me the most memorable character is "Father Rad," a truly genuine servant of God whose sincerety and outgoing nature helped him to overcome classic cultural barriers on the border. It's a "must read" for any one interested in learning more about the border experience.

Excellent interpretation of border life.

I have lived on the El Paso/Ciudad Juarez border for over 30 years and have many friends in both countries. I find Dr. Martinez' interpretations very helpful in my day-to-day professional activities, especially in binational relations. I understand that, apart from academics, other groups such as health professionals and clergy use this book for their borderwide training. I recommend this book to anyone who really wants to understand the border.