From Indians to Chicanos: The Dynamics of Mexican-American Culture

by James Diego Vigil

Considered a pioneering achievement when first published nearly two decades ago, From Indians to Chicanos--now in a completely revised second edition--continues to offer readers an informed and penetrating approach to the history of Chicano development. Anthropologist-historian Diego Vigil shows a perceptive and knowledgeable background in brief, clear outlines of each stage of Mexican-American history, charting the culture change sequences in the Pre-Columbian, Spanish Colonial, Mexican Independence and Nationalism, and Anglo-American periods. He analyzes not only the events and the underlying conditions that affect them but also the dynamics that shaped contemporary Chicano life. The author has absorbed an enormous amount of information and has condensed it in a very readable and understandable fashion. Vigil's ethnohistorical introduction to the Mexican- American experience in the United States is simple yet comprehensive so that readers clearly understand historical developments and the specific socioeconomic, sociocultural and sociopsychological forces involved.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

324 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1984

Reviews

[Samantha Kappes]

i read a whole textbook ok remind me to review this seriously later

[Cesar · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was mediocre, although informative it doesn’t cover what I consider very important details regarding Mexican History and conquest. He lays out important factors and details that begin from the arrival on the Spanish(1520s) all the way the 90s, but doing so leaves out a lot of antecedent roots and causes of certain times periods. For example, he covers in very brief detail one of the most important time periods in Mexican history, the Mexican Revolution(1910-1920) he barely delves in the economic, land and the sentiment associated with the Mexican Revolution, he fails to mention important actors and revolutionaries that paved the way such aspirations. He will however regurgitate over and over how the Spanish suppression and subjugation of the Indian masses and later peasants formed the “Chicano” psyche and inferior state of mind. He will do this over and over and different forms of vernacular. This is an older book, so some of the facts are outdated and I think that Hispanics are way more resilient that Vigil gives them credit for. One fact that he keeps reinforcing is the inferiority complex that chicanos have, that stemmed from the Spanish conquest and subjugation to the Anglo conquest of the US. I completely disagree, he might be subjective on this and not quite empirical.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good content, but the writing is very clunky.

[Clara Avila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it and learned aspects I did not know about my background which was great, however, the writing at times was a lot of run on sentences that drove me a bit crazy lol

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essential reading for all Latinos who want to have a thumbnail sketch of the path to our modern Latino identity/persona. It is easy to read and has many facts and historical situations explained. the downside is that it reads like a lecture and as such does retrace ground when bringing up a new issue. Still, it is a good read for a primary cultural studies understanding.