“A rare combination of an author, [Mike Davis is] Rachel Carson and Upton Sinclair all in one.”—Susan Faludi“[Davis’ ...
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reviews
Mar 11, 2008
Eric
rated it: 
Reflecting on my time in the ISO, this is one of the few Haymarket books I read that is worth slightly more than the paper it is printed on. Even so, after Mike Davis' section on the history of vigilantism in California, the rest of the book is the typically party-linish fluff that you could hear from the mouth of any ISO apparatchik. That Justin Akers Chacon wrote the second half of this book is irrelevant, it could have been any member who has been around the organization long enough for the p
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Oct 19, 2008
Chelsea
rated it: 
I have learned SO MUCH about the history of our immigration laws as well as how all different kinds of immigrants have been treated since the birth of the United States. As I'm trying to shape my own views on the whole immigration issue that has been circling the main stream media lately this book has really helped me understand where the issues are coming from, the history behind them. I've always heard that the knowledge of history helps an individual keep from repeating the bad parts. Maybe i
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Dec 28, 2011
Kimberly
rated it:
Immigration law and deportation have been crafted and implemented over the years not to streamline citizenship or stop immigration but to permanently fragment the working class. The comprehensive appropriation of the state apparatus of immigration control by capital has created the “illegal” worker, and entirely artificial construction whose sole purpose is to deprive the international “American” working class of its democratic rights.
p 199
Their main goal is not to “protect” the More...
p 199
Their main goal is not to “protect” the More...
Dec 16, 2009
matthew
rated it:
No One is Illegal contains two sections--a shorter one by Mike Davis on the history of right-wing racist vigilantism in California and a longer section by Justin Akers on the history and struggles of immigrant--particularly Mexican and Latino--workers. My major criticism of the book is that the sections, while complementing one another, gave the book a disjointed feel, since either could stand alone and there was some repetition between the two. Perhaps Haymarket Books rushed the publishing in
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Aug 12, 2011
Have read about half so far. Is interesting to find out about the history of white vigilantism against migrant workers who dared to organise themselves in the early US west coast days through to current day fascist groups putting the lives of immigrants at risks, immigrants who have come to the US thanks to the pursuit of neoliberal policies from their governments pushed by the US government.
Dec 10, 2010
Don
rated it:
Mixture of informative social history of the US south west and its class struggles over immigration and rather strident agit-prop. Read it over a week when I was due to watch, and provide comment as a discusaant, a screen of 'Welcome to Shelbyville'. Helped me to clarify throughts on the whole 'US as a country built by migrants' bit - which is obviously true by terribly soft focus, rose-tinted stuff.
Mar 10, 2011
Mike
rated it:
Very good book that illustrates past battles over immigration as well as the current ones and situates them within their proper economic context.
Dec 16, 2009
David
rated it:
I'd say 3.5 stars, mainly because I felt that many parts of the book were too brief, and that, overall, the tone, though justifiably outraged, just didn't seem "scholarly." To be honest, my feelings on this matter are conflicted and complicated, but I"ll just leave it at that.
Jun 06, 2008
Dan
rated it: 
amazing easy to read book about the history of immigrant struggles. it was amazing to me how a certain group would be vilified at one point only to be embraced later when another group was hated. this happened wit the chinese, japanese, filipino etc etc etc...
Dec 16, 2009
Nat
rated it:
a reminder that xenophobic border protection campaigns aren't new - mike davis's section on vigilantism in the early 20th century is important context for anyone trying to understand the current "state of emergency."
Jan 21, 2008
John
rated it:
Very interesting contribution to the debate on immigration. Essential for anyone who does not see the debate as black and white. Very quick read, entertaing and extremely informative.
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