Winner of the 2001 Carey McWilliams Award
This paperback edition of Mike Davis's investigation into the Latinization of America incorporates t... read full description
reviews
Jul 30, 2010
Adam
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Mike Davis is one of my favorite writers. His exhaustive research, casual style, sharp humor, disregard for disciplinary boundaries, and clear political analysis is heroic. But this book isn’t among his best. The thesis that Latinos are reinventing U.S. cities is a rich one, but the book’s short length and disjointed chapters causes “Magical Urbanism” to be less than an amazing piece of writing.
A qualification to my disappointment is that the book was written in 2001 and I read More...
A qualification to my disappointment is that the book was written in 2001 and I read More...
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May 11, 2009
Jessica
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This is a pithy little publication on what is an immensely important subject. That is, the growth of Latin American populations in the U.S. and the ever changing socio-economic conditions for this broad racial-ethnic group, often generalized as "Latino". Mike Davis' descriptive language (liberal adjective use) renders the statistics and data heavy material highly palatable for lazy readers such as myself. But it comes at a price and that price is clearly marked on the cover: "Magi
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Feb 23, 2009
Michael
rated it: 
Ahh - Help! I lost this book with perhaps two chapters to go!!! If you happen to see it please contact me!
Alright - problem solved. I picked up a copy at the library so I could read the last 12 pages. Good, typical Davis production where he utilizes the most provocative examples of statistics and stories of abuse to discuss the numerous issues of post-NAFTA hispanic growth in the United States. He focuses generally on the major US cities and, as his some base, more specifically withi More...
Alright - problem solved. I picked up a copy at the library so I could read the last 12 pages. Good, typical Davis production where he utilizes the most provocative examples of statistics and stories of abuse to discuss the numerous issues of post-NAFTA hispanic growth in the United States. He focuses generally on the major US cities and, as his some base, more specifically withi More...
Sep 29, 2011
Daniel
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There's a stark divide between Davis' books that are born of exploring areas on foot, and what he calls the "armchair books". This is definitely the former.
Aug 21, 2008
Daniel
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Classic Mike Davis. A broad look at how Latinos are mistreated despite their enormous contribution to North American cities. My favorite part of the book was chapter 6, which dealt directly with urban planning and design issues. I love the "tropicalizing" trope - Davis' way of describing how Latinos revivify boring urban spaces. I also want to remember his critique of planning practices that make it illegal for people to modify their homes, either with a fresh coat of lively paint,
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Sep 20, 2008
Shawn
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Another excellent and well-researched series of essays from the best radical left writers. Davis explores the ecological disaster of the economic boom on the US-Mexican border and the ethnography of Chicano migration patterns. Whether Mexicans will be Anglofied like the Irish and Italians I can't say. Being more cynical than others in believing in the eventual Malthusian-Hobbesian meltdown of a Caucasian-Mestizo war, I am intrigued by the prospect of a revitalized economic nationalist movement b
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May 14, 2010
Seán
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This is midrange Mike Davis. There's solid (if brief) treatment of the subject, but none of that off-the-hook greatness like in City of Quartz or Planet of Slums.
Jan 06, 2008
Jessica
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Typical Mike Davis provides inflammatory view of immigration into Southern California from Latin America, and taunts the American public with visions of a Latinized U.S. and unstoppable encroachement on the U.S. by the Latin South. I liked this book, but think that Davis can go over the top with some descriptions and biases, which tends to alienate some readers from hearing his messages about the need to adapat and change to accomodate more immigrants into our melting pot.
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Aug 30, 2008
Andrea
rated it:
i miraculously read this in the car without getting motion sick, but some of the things i have learned about the experiences of latino immigrants in the US did the job of making me queasy... it's been a quicker read than 'city of quartz' but also feels a little bit more dry and mainstream. all in all, highly recommended. the hardcover version i picked up has really great dustjacket design too.
Aug 03, 2009
Jim
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I really enjoy Mike Davis' writing style. This book is a great examination of the "browning" of the U.S. and the massive growth of Latino populations in U.S. cities. Davis has an easy prose style combined with insightful critical analysis of American racism and urban culture.
Dec 16, 2009
Michelle
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This book chronicles how Latinos have changed the culture and landscape of the U.S., and how Latinos are continuing to effect policy in their native countries while living in the U.S. Mike Davis is an amazing writer.
Nov 07, 2007
Yariella
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this is davis in full liberal/extremist form. but, i have to say, this book provides some startling (and rather tragic) stats regarding latinos in the USA. makes me want to go home and represent! ;)
Dec 16, 2009
Christian
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This is a great view of where America is headed and what the Latino population of the U.S. is doing to slowly change the black-and-white binary much too common in this country.
Jul 23, 2008
Dalia
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Mike Davis on LA, or on anything for that matter, is a beast. This little pocket book of urban wonder is worth the read without a doubt.
May 01, 2011
Robert
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A quick and simple summary of the new trans-national reality in the United States. A helpful lens for interpreting immigration.
Jan 14, 2008
Dylan
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Very well written book about the Latin-American integration into the U.s. Mostly statistic-based but stay interesting.
Jun 26, 2011
James
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good stats and soundbites but too scattered, broad, and brief to dig into this subject
Jan 10, 2012
Dec 18, 2011
Dec 15, 2011
