Toward a Chicano social science /

Blea's monograph on the Chicano sociohistorical experience provides an insightful analysis of the nation's second largest minority group. Blea writes from a general conflict theory approach, particularly applying the internal colonial model to the Chicano experience. She weaves into her discussion of this ethnic/minority group topics of general sociological concern, e.g., social stratification, culture, gender, social control, and political organization. Although at times the author argues her points with an ideological fervor that verges closely on subjectivism, there is much of value to the novice. One point of disagreement between this reviewer and the author concerns the title, Toward a Chicano Social Science. The monograph does not contain a Chicano social science, and there is no reason why it should. It does present the reader with a social science perspective of the Chicano experience that allows for insightful analysis and understanding. This is Blea's second monograph on the life experiences of Chicanos (her first work is Bessemer: A Sociological Perspective of a Chicano Barrio, 1988), a topic to which she has dedicated most of her professional years. A good book for any undergraduate and graduate collection. E. Bastida Wichita State University