A Brief History of Mexico, Fourth Edition

Now in its fourth edition, A Brief History of Mexico tells the story of Mexico and its people from the rise of the first civilizations of North America through the Spanish conquest to the relentless battle for political independence and the democratic reforms of the early 21st century. This updated edition includes a discussion of the aftermath of the 2006 presidential elections and the war on drugs by newly inaugurated President Felipe Calderón. Special emphasis is placed on Mexico's relationship with the United States, particularly the joint effort to eradicate drug cartels; the North American Free Trade Agreement, which links the economies of both countries; and the rise of "transnationalism", a growing cultural phenomenon among Mexican Americans returning to Mexico with U.S. resources and political values.

Mexico's pre-Columbian civilizations and contemporary indigenous cultures

Environmental concerns and reforms

The testing of the new democratic institutions by the close results of the 2006 presidential election

Accusations of human rights abuses by Amnesty International and the United Nations at the end of Vicente Fox's presidency

The war on the drug cartels