Mexico South

by Miguel Covarrubias

This book deals with the modern, northern half of the Isthmus, its social struggles and its varied problems in adapting a backward region to the need and ways of industrial civilization. It presents a view of the modern Isthmus Zapotecs, living around Juchitan and Tehuantepec.

Genres: History, Anthropology

510 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1986

About the author

Miguel Covarrubias also known as José Miguel Covarrubias Duclaud was a Mexican painter, caricaturist, illustrator, ethnologist and art historian. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_...]

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the Mexican artists of the twentieth century, Miguel Covarrubias, if not considered the greatest, was certainly the most genial. In this book he recounts his observations of travel in southern Oaxaca, and his great curiosity and affection for people make him a wonderful travel writer, regardless of whether he is writing about the businesswomen of the isthmus, who control the local markets and whose dress is remarkable (Frida Kahlo looked to it for style), or one of my favorite tribes, the hardscrabble, enduring Huave, who live on several islands off the coast. History, material culture, art, economics -- Covarrubias covers it all, with an engaging and always sympathetic style.

[Raquel Martin]

I'm re- reading this wonderful book by Covarrubias. Someday I want to go to the isthmus of Tehuantepec, but I'm afraid so much has changed since Covarrubias wrote this book! He was a great anthropologist and write in such a compelling style!

[Zea Gyarmati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Na ez milyen különleges olvasmány! Mentor professzorom férjétől kaptam kölcsön, aki még a hatvanas években kapta ajándékba az angol nyelvű kiadást. A negyvenesévesben íródott könyv egyszerre útbeszámoló, történelmi és szociológiai körkép, valamint rengeteget átad a korra, és a kor képzőművészére (az író) jellemző szemléletmódról is.