Review by Choice Review
S'anchez begins this well-written history of Mexican immigration and adaptation to American society in Los Angeles with an excellent review of the literature on acculturation. He argues that the tensions and instability found in Mexico during the Mexican revolution were the cause of most immigration to the US. Arriving in Los Angeles these immigrants were seen by one group of Anglos as a threat and by another as people in need of Americanization. S'anchez provides an informative description of the Americanization program instituted by well-meaning scholars and administrators. He points out that Chicanas were important in the program and were therefore the main targets of the advocates of Americanization. S'anchez does an excellent job of illustrating how Protestant missionaries were able to win converts among the mainly Catholic immigrants. The attitude of the Catholic Church toward Mexicans in Los Angeles during the early part of the 20th century varied from disinterest to deep concern. The book is easy to read, yet also reflects immense scholarship. Advanced undergraduates and above. R. S. Guerra; University of Texas--Pan American
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
