Customer Reviews: Read 25 more reviews...
 Read it! August 13, 2008
As good as a journalistic effort can get...
Like Orwell's Down and Out in London and Paris, times TWO!
Should be on the shelves of anyone with an opinion on immigration, pro or con.
Should be on the shelves of and journalist to teach them what it is all about.
Thanks for this seminal work.
God Bless Humanity and this Earth
 Well written, unique "birds eye view" April 7, 2008
I purchased this book for my book club, and although I was a bit perplexed by the choice (living in New England where the immigration problem is not so obvious), I was actually pleasantly surprised.
The topic is one that should be on everyone's mind with respect to the immigration problem in our country.
However, this fresh, personal perspective does give us a "birds eye view" of the life of the Mexican immigrant culture, and how difficult and complex it is. I especially found the book interesting having grown up in California, and observing first hand, what a complicated economic and social problem immigration really is for the immigrants and natives alike.
Although a bit slow in parts, it did give a refreshing insight to the culture that may not have been captured by a mere casual observer. On the other hand, I found the chapter set in the airport quite fascinating and entertaining!
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Hispanic immigrant culture.
A GOP must-read December 17, 2007
This book should be mandatory reading for anyone interested in the immigration debate and particularly those hard-liners who would exoriate the Democrats for their solutions that give a measure of "amnesty," or Sen. John McCain for saying, "These people need some of our love and compassion."
This book seems to become only more relevant with time. Ted Conover, as well, is one of the best contemporary journalists, if not the best book-length writer of journalism in this era. He writes from the margins of society with great insight and compassion. You won't be disappointed in anything he's set to paper.
Unique observations of life as an undocumented worker March 21, 2007
This is one of a handful of books recently written where the author joins a group of undocumented workers crossing the border in attempt to gain employment in the United States. The interesting twist here is that the author, though apparently fluent in Spanish, is white. He also attempts to work in the fields himself, as opposed to simply observing and writing about the work of others. This leads to a number of unique experiences and observations on race relations that are rarely discussed in this context. It also allows the reader to better understand what life is like for many undocumented workers in this country. Kudos to Ted Conover for making a sincere effort to better understand the lives of those that would not otherwise be recorded.
Coyotes: a borderlands journey by a journalist & now professor January 10, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This story rivets the reader to the writer's acceptance (guarded) by poor Hispanics as he seeks to be an Imbed with them when they cross the border at a couple of different sites. There was the interception by Mexican border police and their payoff; then life beyond the border on the way to nearby farms serviced by Coyotes (travel guides and job finders) and potato fields of Idaho (serviced by the same dependable families year after year).
It gives many glimpses of that struggle to pass on a better life to the kids.
The writer may influence many who would become investigative reporters.
|
