FAMOUS MEXICAN-AMERICANS

by Clarke Newlon ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1972

In vain does Uvaldo Palomares' foreword tender the hope that the reader of this collection of blandly uncritical Current Biography-type sketches will derive some sense of the ""cultural 'feel' of the chicano people."" The criterion for inclusion is ""fame"" (though in some cases this is stretching a point), and analysis of the common factors of the ethnic experience is subordinate to tracing the subjects' Horatio Alger success. Thus one learns the mechanics of Lee Trevino's golf swing and the dimensions of Trini Lopez's wardrobe, that both Senator Joseph Montoya and Reies Tijerina work for their people in politics, that Anthony Quinn once narrated a documentary on La Raza, and that Vicki Carr anglicized her name but still cooks Mexican food. Cesar Chavez (who does not believe in celebrating the concept of machismo) and Joe Kapp (who does) receive equal time. . . and so it goes. Beyond making the rather obvious point that there are famous Mexican Americans, this bit of boosterism has nothing to offer.

Pub Date: March 1, 1972

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dodd, Mead

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1972

Categories: NONFICTION