A Vagabond in Mexico

First of all, a comment to the reviewer who wrote a "book report" -- A Vagabond In Mexico is non-fiction, so if your instructor was on the ball, you must have received an automatic "F" for that one. To the second reviewer, I'll just say that "slumming in Mexico" is an unworthy way to describe Guzman's experience as well as offensive to those millions of our Mexican neighbors who are trapped in the conditions he describes. I do agree with his comment, however, that the book would benefit from some kind of background information on Guzman himself and the inspiration for his vagabond journey. I first reviewed A Vagabond In Mexico many years ago, in The People' Guide To Mexico Travel Letter. That is now long out of print so I'll include it here: "A Vagabond in Mexico is an unusual, thought-provoking book. In particular, anyone who thinks that Mexican `illegals' are easily drawn over the border should find it instructive. In searching for work in Mexico, Guzman's quest takes an ironic turn. Try as he might to better himself, he must eventually accept the misery of his circumstances. As hope for improvement dims, the author eventually confronts the wrenching dilemma that so many hardworking, impoverished Mexicans face today - that of leaving their friends and family behind and heading north, toward the elusive promise of a better life." As far as I can tell, the only thing that has changed since Guzman wrote the book is that the reality of life for less-fortunate Mexicans is now far tougher than most of us can even imagine. The People's Guide to Mexico (Peoples Guide to Mexico)