Mexico City assumed its current character around the turn of the twentieth century; during the dictatorship of Porfirio Diacute;az (1876-1911). In those years; wealthy Mexicans moved away from the Zoacute;calo; the citys traditional center; to western suburbs where they sought to imitate European and American ways of life. At the same time; poorer Mexicans; many of whom were peasants; crowded into eastern suburbs that lacked such basic amenities as schools; potable water; and adequate sewerage. These slums looked and felt more like rural villages than city neighborhoods. A centurymdash;and some twenty million more inhabitantsmdash;later; Mexico City retains its divided; robust; and almost labyrinthine character.In this provocative and beautifully written book; Michael Johns proposes to fathom the character of Mexico City and; through it; the Mexican national character that shaped and was shaped by the capital city. Drawing on sources from government documents to newspapers to literary works; he looks at such things as work; taste; violence; architecture; and political power during the formative Diacute;az era. From this portrait of daily life in Mexico City; he shows us the qualities that "make a Mexican a Mexican" and have created a culture in which; as the Mexican saying goes; "everything changes so that everything remains the same."
#2854547 in eBooks 2013-10-21 2013-10-21File Name: B00H1XSAZG
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. TRULY ENJOYABLE TREASURE CHEST OF HOME TOWN HISTORYBy Jim in Las VegasI was so pleased to discover this modest compendium of stories on my home towns past. Although; in my opinion; the prose could stand a little more polish; the true value of this book lies in its contents. To learn that the old mansions I walked by as a boy in "Old Southwest" had belonged to early city fathers--some successful businessmen; some scoundrels; really opened my eyes; and ignited an appetite for more information. The sad details of the murder in the church I attended as a teen was something I had waited decades to learn. I have come to appreciate my home towns history and the magic of its past so much more after reading this book! Whether you are a native Roanoker; and like me; will feel yourself drawn to your place in the warp and woof of this ongoing historical fabric; or merely a reader curious to learn what put this unique Southern city on the map and nurtured its growth; you will be both surprised; and well-entertained! I hope the author will write a second volume--I know there must be many more stories--more human drama and pathos to be mined from the past of the Star City of the South! Buy it; read it; and enjoy! Mr. Author; we are waiting for more!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Mediocre writing of good storiesBy BurtThe stories were interesting enough; but the writing might not have made the high school newspaper cut.. The writing did not lift you and carry you through the story. It was an obstacle to be overcome to get to the story. It was like reading a students paper based on superficial; incomplete newspaper reporting.Im glad to know the stories; but the reading was not a pleasure.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Memories of RoanokeBy Kindle CustomerRecommended to me by a cousin from Roanoke. Brought back lots of memoriesAnyone from Roanoke area would be interested
