“Mexico is a mosaic of different realities and beauties.”
For anyone curious about Mexico’s complex history, culture and politics, diving into the best books on Mexico is a powerful way to uncover this remarkable country. Understanding Mexican history and culture in 2024 means looking back at its past, from ancient civilizations and colonial struggles to the enduring impact of the Mexican Revolution and the country’s unique political landscape. It also involves examining the present-day issues that shape Mexican society and helped fuel the election of Claudia Sheinbaum. Here at What We Reading, we thought we would bring you some of our most essential books on Mexican history, politics and society that capture the nation’s layered history. From historical analysis to modern-day narratives, each of these books offer a distinctive lens on the experiences, challenges and transformations that make up the fabric of Mexican life.
Mexico: Biography Of Power – Enrique Krauze
Kicking off our list of the best books on Mexican history is Enrique Krauze’s lauded work, Mexico: Biography of Power. Featuring forty-seven illustrations and four unique maps, this sweeping volume tells the story of a nation through the fascinating and oftentimes volatile personalities that have shaped its religion, culture and politics.
From the legacy of Aztec Emperors, and insurgent priests to presidents across the twentieth century, Krauze chronicles the mixing of the Spanish and Indian populations into a mestizo culture, and how history became biography during the century of Caudillos from the insurgent priests in 1810 to Prfirio and the Revolution in 1910. Finally, Krauze brings an end to the Revolutionary era, dominated by individuals like Emiliano Zapata, in 1940 and looks at the many challenges faced by the presidents in contemporary society as Mexico navigates through years of ‘boom or bust’ issues.
Distant Neighbors: A Portrait Of The Mexicans – Alan Riding
Alan Riding’s Distant Neighbors is a comprehensive exploration of Mexico’s social, political and cultural identity. Penned by a seasoned journalist and former Mexico City bureau chief for The New York Times, Riding explores the many complexities of Mexican society, analysing the nuances that form the country’s relationships, governance and psyche. He lifts the lid on Mexico’s unique character – its entrenched traditions, attitudes toward authority and delicate relationship with the United States.
Distant Neighbors has long been considered one of the best resources for understanding Mexico because it offers readers a nuanced perspective that goes beyond lazy stereotyping, capturing the often-overlooked aspects of Mexican identity and politics. Writing with both insight and empathy, Distant Neighbors is a fascinating read for anyone interested in learning about Mexico’s internal dynamics, as well as its inseparable ties to its northern neighbour.
The Labyrinth Of Solitude And Other Writings – Octavio Paz
Octavio Paz has long been viewed as one of the most iconic and impactful critics and writers in Mexican history. In his classic work, The Labyrinth of Solitude, Paz authors one of the most enduring and powerful novels about Mexico and its people, character and culture.
A compilation of all of his most famous works, The Labyrinth of Solitude is a beautifully delivered and deeply felt discourse on Mexico’s search for identity that gifts readers with a peek behind the mask and a real look at the country hiding underneath. Other works featured include The Other Mexico, Mexico and the United States and The Philanthropic Ogre, all of which develop similar themes as The Labyrinth of Solitude and extend his commentary to the US and the wider reachings of Latin America.
Down And Delirious In Mexico City: The Aztec Metropolis In The Twenty-First Century – Daniel Hernandez
Daniel Hernandez’s Down and Delirious in Mexico City offers a vibrant and gritty look at modern Mexico City, capturing the pulse of the largest city in the Western Hemisphere. As a young American of Mexican descent, Hernandez immerses himself in the subcultures, politics and street life of Mexico City, exploring everything from punk rock scenes and underground fashion to the multilayered socio-political dynamics that define daily life.
Down and Delirious in Mexico City remains one of the most essential books on Mexico and its capital city because Hernandez presents an insider-outsider perspective that captures all of its contradictions and creativity. He serves an unfiltered view of its vibrant youth culture and social challenges, shedding light on the lives and aspirations of its people. If you’re looking to understand the city’s enduring influence on Mexican identity and how it reflects the nation’s evolving character, this is the book for you.
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The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account Of The Conquest Of Mexico – Miguel Leon-Portilla
When it comes to the best books about Mexican history, most accounts of the Aztec period have been victorious chronicles from Spanish perspectives. In The Broken Spears, Miguel Leon-Portilla attempts to rebalance things with a groundbreaking story of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire through the lens of the indigenous people. Using translated Nahuatl accounts, Leon-Portilla weaves together firsthand testimonies, poetry and historical records that unveil the trauma, bravery and cultural upheaval experienced by the Aztecs during this decisive moment in global history.
One of the best books about Mexico, The Broken Spears challenges conventional, Eurocentric narratives of the conquest, offering an original and deeply human perspective on one of the most transformative events in Mexican history. By giving voice to the conquered, Leon-Portilla provides an understanding of the country’s colonial past and highlights the resilience and richness of Aztec culture.
El Narco: Inside Mexico’s Criminal Insurgency – Ioan Grillo
No list of books on Mexico would be complete without a look into the drug cartels and the devastating impact the narcotics trade has had on the country. Ioan Grillo’s El Narco is the first definitive portrayal of Mexico’s cartels, and how they have radically transformed over the past few decades.
A powerful movement and industry that draws in hundreds of thousands across the nation from Guatemala to the Texas border, Grillo chronicles over a decades’ worth of investigation and reporting from the front lines of Mexico’s war on drugs. The end result is a striking work that joins testimonies from inside the cartels and in-depth analysis to reveal the complex connections between poverty, corruption, and violence and their implications on Mexico’s future.
The People’s Guide To Mexico – Carl Franz And Lorena Havens
Carl Franz and Lorena Havens’ The People’s Guide to Mexico is a unique blend of travel guide, cultural exploration and practical advice for navigating life in Mexico. First published back in the 1970s, the book has continually been updated, providing readers with relevant and updated firsthand information on Mexico’s landscapes, people and traditions. Beyond typical travel tips, it offers insights into the country’s vibrant street life, cuisine, customs and regional diversity, making it just as much a cultural companion as a guidebook.
What makes The People’s Guide to Mexico one of the best books on Mexico is its combination of humour, anecdotal storytelling and practical wisdom. From bustling metropolises to remote villages, readers gain an informative and deeply personal perspective on the many nuances that make up modern Mexican living.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
