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"This Volume is as Good, or Better than the First!"
“Don't waste your time doing internet searches about Mexico, the history and the culture.
Just buy the book, sit by the fire place, and enjoy.
You will be enlightened.”
- BW 11/5/2018
"A Fascinating Mexican History"
“What sets this book apart from other historical guides to Mexico? The author is a journalist who published more than 50 newspaper articles on Mexico - and put them together for this book. Each chapter explains important events in Mexican history: the discovery of Mexico by Hernan Cortes and how he communicated with the Mayans and Aztecs, how the political system developed into a democracy, the corruption at Pemex, the national oil company. I especially liked the article on how 2.1 million Mexican workers - 'Braceros' were invited to American to help with the war effort in 1942 and were cheated out of their earnings. Extensively researched, I recommend volumes one and two for anyone who is interested in digging deeper than media headlines and discovering what a fascinating and wonderful country Mexico is - and the resilience, patience and good nature of the Mexican people despite a long and harsh history of oppression and exploitation.”
RPH 4/27/2020
"Volume 2 is Full of More Information"
“I have previously reviewed Volume 1 of The Gringo Guide to Mexico, and I can honestly give Volume 2 a “should read” recommendation as well.
Like Volume 1, Volume 2 is an eclectic collection of 28 essays that should interest expats and those thinking about moving to Mexico - and inspire them to learn more about the history, culture, and people of Mexico.
From the history of the Mexican flag to the difference between tequila and mezcal, Page again covers many different aspects of Mexico. As in Volume 1 of The Gringo Guide to Mexico, Page incorporates personal experiences and opinions along with the facts, which help draw the reader into the stories. And as in Volume 1, he tackles controversial topics here in Volume 2 with essays on bullfighting, politics, the plight of indigenous tribes, and others.
Each essay stands on its own and they are not presented in any chronological order, so you can pick and choose topics that interest you. However, as with Volume 1, I would recommend that you read them all – you’ll be surprised at what you discover.
I mentioned in my previous review that Page states in his preface that the purpose of his writings is to give information to foreigners who have or want to make Mexico their home that will “make their life here more interesting and meaningful.” I think these essays will give you an appreciation of all things Mexico and you’ll want to keep both Volume 1 and Volume 2 handy to reread and refer to from time to time.”
- DPVID 11/6/2018
"Do you know how Cinco de Mayo helped save the US from slavery?"
“Many expats in Mazatlán are fans of Murry Page. I for one love his writing and used to regularly look forward to his blog posts. Murry would thoroughly research and write about a broad range of cultural and historical topics, from chile to Diego Rivera’s murals, tequila to organ grinders, and bullfighting to Carlos Slim. As he traveled through, lived in and learned more about Mexico, we were able to educate ourselves thanks to Murry and his novia and collaborator, Linda Hull. I am eternally grateful to Murry and Linda because years ago they came to our house to interview and help our son when he was in the midst of a fundraising campaign to get himself to World Scout Jamboree in Sweden.
In each of these two books, titled, The Gringo Guide to Mexico: Its History, People and Culture, he assembles 56 editions of his Mazatlán Messenger column, The Page Turner, which he originally wrote over a five-year period. Murry has updated information where necessary to keep content current. He kindly shared with me a copy of volume 2 for review; it contains 160 pages and 28 chapters.
If you were not able to read Murry’s work the first time around, and you are at all curious about this adopted country we call home, I highly recommend you get these books. And, if you did enjoy his columns the first time around, you may delight to read them all over again, remembering what you’d once read and since forgotten. While I learn something new every day, I am constantly saddened at the ignorance so many of us immigrants and seasonal visitors have about our host country. Are you aware of how Cinco de Mayo helped save the US from slavery? Why Pancho Villa is revered by some and hated by others, was first wanted by and later helped by the US government? And do you know the history of legal Mexican field labor up north, starting with the braceros?
It’s refreshing to read an engaging volume written by someone intelligent (retired lawyer), personable, and committed to the community—Murry dedicated 100% of the profits from his first book to Hospice Mazatlán and has served on the board of two local charitable organizations—on topics that pique our curiosity and are worthwhile knowing about in our daily lives. I love history, but I whither up in boredom reading a dry history book. These volumes are far from that—quick-reading and amusing, with personal reflections and anecdotes thrown in for good measure. I will admit to enjoying the columns more when they were spread out one every couple of weeks than in book form. As blog posts the facts and information were nice tapas, a fairly in-depth look at a topic that we could slowly savor. I would, therefore, recommend reading the book a chapter at a time, to more thoroughly relish the content. Discussing it with a partner or friends will let the facts settle in and stir further curiosity for learning.
Thank you, Murry, for being so generous with your passion for learning about Mexico, your time and your wonderful writing.”
DHS 11/7/2018
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