| 
| Author: Richard Grant
Publisher: Free Press
Category: Book
List Price: $15.00
Buy New: $7.25
You Save: $7.75 (52%)
New (29) Used (17) Collectible (1) from $6.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 12058
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9
ISBN: 1416534407
Dewey Decimal Number: 917.210484
EAN: 9781416534402
ASIN: 1416534407
Publication Date: March 4, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: New, Excellent condition, ship fast.
|
| Customer Reviews:
 No thanks. May 27, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
For many years since reading John Reed's "Insurgent Mexico" I have dreamed of traveling northern Mexico (and seeing the "real Mexico") as did Richard Grant. His book is a wondrous picture of the Sierra Madre which enthralled me, but also-- along with news reports, etc.-- completely cured me of any desire to visit that country.
 Humbling. A reason to be grateful you live in America. May 10, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Grant does a superb job describing the culture and personalities he meets along the way. The story can come across unbelievable, unless you have visited any parts of "real" Mexico. Parts of the book are funny, scary, depressing, and a range of other various emotions from page to page.
It is hard to imagine that people live in countries and areas in countries like this all over the world. As an American it makes you feel grateful to live in a country where a woman has rights, bandits aren't lurking on every highway, and AK-47's aren't the common travel accessory.
Good author and a great read. I look forward to reading more of his work.
T.
Fear and Loathing in the Sierra Madre April 28, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book has touches of gonzo but manages to be a profound and relevant look into the heart of darkness that is Mexico. (America has its own H.O. D. but its quite different) I grew up in Venezuela and travelled in both Mexico and Spain for work. While I never had any trouble, my American cousin and her British boyfriend were stripped of everything in less than 24 hours in Mexico City a year after I had been there. This is the book for anyone who has ever been to Mexico and is shocked by the poverty and wonders what the heck is going on. It is also an insightful book for anyone who owns a business and employs people from Mexico. It explores issues that extend beyond the Sierra Madre into the culture as a whole, such as the pervasive machismo, sexism, etc. Richard Grant is a great tour guide in that he is an accurate observer, has the right amount of humor and moral discrimination, and isn't afraid to give an overview to the culture and history and anchor his story in reality, for all the surreal touches. My family has lived in Arizona and had land near the border for over 50 years but in the last few years there has been an unprecedented number of illegals coming over our land, leaving clothes, underwear, water bottles while they wait in the night to get around the checkpoint just up the highway. They've made off with tractors, guns, horses, all kinds of stuff. A book like this does a lot towards answering my questions - like how much money does get sent back to Mexico and what are the number one and number two sources of income in Mexico? Plus its extremely well written. Apparently it has produced some controversy by people who are offended by the portrayal of the Sierra Madre as dangerous. That is kind of crazy because I know native Mexicans who tell me all kinds of stories about people being held up by bandits and how dangerous it is. Its definitely a place where anything can happen. Of course, this is true of life in general. This should be required reading - its quite educational.
Great Read! April 23, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Not since the J. Maarten Troost books about life in the South Pacific have I enjoyed a travel book as much as God's Middle Finger. Although Richard Grant does not provide Troost's side splitting yucks, he creates a sense of menace and fear that drives you ever deeper into the bowels of the Sierra Madre. He brilliantly weaves historical details, with endearing descriptions of the beautiful people and mountain landscapes while making certain that you never forget the ever present liklihood of being robbed, beaten up or killed.
BUY THIS BOOK! Excellent Read. April 23, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I highly recommend this book!!! He really takes you into the secretive world of the Sierra Madre. We visited or were near many of the areas on a recent roadtrip through The Devil's Backbone to Sinaloa and Copper Canyon---glad we didn't deviate too far off the beaten path. While on the Chihuahua train, the security guard told us about all the "agriculture" being grown nearby.
|
|
|
