
Go to OneSearch to search for more print books.
Want more on finding print books? Try our How to Use OneSearch guide.
Cinco de Mayo: What is Everybody Celebrating? The Story Behind Mexico's Battle of Puebla
Under the orders of French Emperor Napoleon III, French troops arrive in Mexico in 1861 with a dual purpose: to help the Confederacy win the war against the United States and to conquer Mexico. As President Benito Juarez suspends payment of Mexico's foreign debts, the French drop their facade of debt negotiations and head for Puebla, where they are soundly defeated in their attempt to capture the city. The French withdraw from their stunning setback and spend the summer of 1862 nursing their wounds and awaiting reinforcements in Orizaba. This gives the Mexicans ample time to highly fortify Puebla against a future attack. During spring of 1863 French troops head for Puebla and Mexico City in what they hope will be a pair of easy victories. Juarez and his government flee Mexico City rather than trying to defend the capital against overwhelming odds. The French make their grand entrance and immediately encounter problems with the Catholic Church. Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, asked by the French to become emperor of Mexico, will not accept the throne without a "popular" vote from the people. When the American Civil War ends in 1865, out-of-work soldiers, generals and high-ranking officials from the former Confederate government drift into Mexico. General Ulysses S. Grant's U.S. Army is now free to stage maneuvers along the border, setting off panic in Mexico City and Paris. Grant's move prompts Napoleon III to cut his losses and pull his troops out. Now, it's only a matter of time before Mexican forces retake the country."
The Latino Holiday Book: From Cinco de Mayo to Día de los Muertos--The Celebrations and Traditions of Hispanic-Americans
The Latino Holiday Book is the essential resource for everyone wanting to celebrate and honor the special traditions and celebrations of Hispanic Americans. Author Valerie Menard takes readers through the full year, covering new year's traditions, D#65533;a de los Reyes, Calle Ocho, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, the feast of independence, National Puerto Rican Day, the feast of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre and Our Lady of the Divine Inspiration, D#65533;a de la Raza (the Latin American version of Columbus Day), D#65533;a de los Muertos, the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and Christmas. Weddings, birthdays, and quincea#65533;eras are also explored in rich detail. For each celebration, Menard discusses their religious or social history, typical customs, special foods and activities, and gives recipes and instructions for making the authentic foods and crafts that particularly represent a day's traditions. With a foreword by Cheech Marin, this newly revised and expanded edition is more inclusive of Dominicans and Colombians and features two new holidays: Mother's Day and D#65533;a de los Ni#65533;os.
The Oxford History of Mexico
Mexico is a country of fascinating contrasts--glorious history and tumultuous politics, extraordinary culture and desperate poverty, ancient traditions and rapid modernization. Yet despite the growing curiosity about Mexico due to increased trade and commerce, mostly resulting from NAFTA, aswell as increased tourism and immigration, there is presently no up-to-date, accessible history of Mexico for general readers. The Oxford History of Mexico, edited by Michael Meyer and William Beezley is a comprehensive, lucidly written, and fully current narrative history by twenty of the most esteemed historians of Mexico writing today. Drawing on radical changes in scholarship on Mexico over the past 15 years, TheOxford History of Mexico covers all aspects of the rich history of Mexico from precolonial times to the present. Exploring politics, religion, technology, modernization, ethnicity, colonialism, ecology, the arts, mass media, and popular culture, The Oxford History of Mexico provides a wealth ofinformation for all readers interested in this remarkable country. Fully illustrated, with black-and-white photos throughout and a sixteen page color insert, suggestions for future reading, an index, and a glossary, this is the fullest and most engaging history of Mexico available today.