About the Author William Langewiesche is the author of seven previous books Cutting for Sign, Sahara Unveiled, Inside the Sky, American Ground, The Outlaw Sea, The Atomic Bazaar, and, most recently, Fly By Wire. He is the international editor for Vanity Fair.
S**Y
An Overview from 1993
Since this was written in 1993, the further deterioration of America's safety and of our will and ability to secure our borders has slid even further into chaos so its a big outdated. It is interesting to see what those like Langewiesche recognized early was coming when many Americans were just waking up to our government's ineptitude and indifference. He writes gracefully and untangles some complex situations. I felt his interviews with border-jumpers in the US as well as with Mexican workers were honest and well-intentioned. While it doesn't begin to cover the implications of our lazy approach to maintaining America's standards it does give a really good picture of the misery inflicted on many by our ability to turn our heads as long as the illegal labor will work cheap enough and stay out of our own personal sight.
J**R
Wonderfully written account of an interesting region
The first chapter of this book is as well-written as anything I've ever read. While the details of the book are now out of date, the general problems remain, and this is a great source of information about how things work (and don't work) along the border. Highly recommended, if you can get your hands on a copy. I enjoyed this even more than Langewiesche's later, better known books.
B**T
Highly descriptive of my personal experiences in Marfa, TX
As a former City Manager of Marfa, Texas, I have observed and experienced first hand many of the incidents described in the book. For instance, the morning gathering of area ranchers at the former Thunderbird Restaurant, totally devoid of Hispanic participants; the persistent overtones of bigotry amoung many of the well established Anglo citizens;and, there are still semblances of the old "Patron" system alive and well.While I can't prove that my dismissal from my position as City Manager was based on the fact that I am Hispanic, I have no doubt that the racial aspect played a part in the decision to terminate my services. Many local residents have told me that the Mayor could not stand a smart well-educated Mexcican making him look bad.In any event, the description of Marfa and the region surrounding it are all surprising accurate. The author most certainly has a deep sense of morality, and an uncanny method of lucidly describing people, situations, and injustices.
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