This narrative history of Mexico through 1998 will help students and interested readers to understand the long, distinguished, and sometimes turbulent history of our neighbor to the south. Every American should be familiar with the history of Mexico, which in many ways parallels that of the United States. Surveying Mexico from the arrival of the first humans in the Western Hemisphere to current issues at the turn of the new century, this work dispels many of the stereotypes about Mexico, its history, and its people. The sweep of the narrative transports the reader from Mexico's great cultural past to current issues such as the war on drugs, participation in the North American Free Trade Agreement, and the search for political stability as it enters the 21st century.

The first half of the book examines the arrival of the first peoples into the Western Hemisphere in what is now Mexico and their successful creation of political, social, and economic institutions. The destruction of these institutions by the conquering Spanish, the rise of the Spanish colonial system, and Mexico's attempts at self-rule in the 19th century complete the first half of the work. The second half recounts the emergence of the dictator Porfirio Diaz in 1876, the 1910 revolution, and the political, social, and economic development of modern Mexico through the end of 1998. Ready reference materials include a timeline of key events in Mexican history, biographical sketches of 24 noted Mexicans, and a bibliographical essay of recommended books for students.