Hard Line: Life and Death on the US-Mexico Border

by Ken Ellingwood

The Southwestern border is one of the most fascinating places in America, a region of rugged beauty and small communities that coexist across the international line. In the past decade, the area has also become deadly as illegal immigration has shifted into some of the harshest territory on the continent, reshaping life on both sides of the border.

In Hard Line , Ken Ellingwood, a correspondent for the Los Angeles Times , captures the heart of this complex and fascinating land, through the dramatic stories of undocumented immigrants and the border agents who track them through the desert, Native Americans divided between two countries, human rights workers aiding the migrants and ranchers taking the law into their own hands. This is a vivid portrait of a place and its people, and a moving story of the West that has major implications for the nation as a whole.

Genres: Nonfiction

273 pages, Paperback

First published July 12, 2005

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you were to read one book on the border this would be the most succinct and complete one I've read.

[Shan O · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intense non-fiction piece on immigration, Ellingwood's book gives excellent insight into the reasons why some people risk their lives to cross the harsh desert of the American southwest and why others work so passionately to prevent those people from succeeding. I recommend it without reservation to those who want to have a better grasp on the tangle of issues that emerge from the U.S.A.'s borderlands, including how 9/11 has changed U.S. policies and citizens, the effectiveness of NAFTA in promoting "free" trade, and the difficult lives of those living south of the border.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very complex view on the U.S./Mexico border and the different aspects of the line as it was drawn between the two countries. This book has brought many different views light and has presented this opinions on the subject in a manner as I have never thought about the border issue. One of the main issues that dominates the books is the humanitarian issues that come to the forefront as people cross.

A very interesting read and very full of information and stats.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

United Methodist Womens 2008 Social Action Program book. Very intersting read - detailed the geographical area, setting up the border, efforts by local government and agencies and people and national government to aid locals and towns and migrants, and some tragic stories of desperate migrants/immigrants in their intense desire to cross to US soil. I enjoyed the book, very well written and there was not a dull place in it.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheds a much needed light on the Mexican Immigration thing. Hard to believe this is happening in our country since we are somewhat far removed from it in Wisconsin--but not totally. They are in our schools and workplaces. I don't know what the answer is but something needs to be done...

[LA · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read focusing mostly on the SoCal/Mexico border. Well written, factually accurate.

[Keith Lovell]

I liked this book, the font was small