This text makes several important contributions. First, it integrates several sources of data and introduces a major new biographical data bank on Mexican politicians from 1884 through 1992 (as well as intellectuals, entrepreneurs, military officers, and Catholic bishops), which is accessible through SPSS. Second, it develops a sound theoretical basis for the exploration of the data, modifying the general literature on political recruitment to more accurately reflect the contradictions in Mexican situation in particular and in the developing world in general. The author focuses on gatekeepers, opportunity variables, and factors that propel a recruit into the higher ranks of politics. Extensive coverage is given to the role of student politics, military experience, age, and business careers in political recruitment. Third, it includes an innovative analysis of the roles of gender, class, and family connections in the Mexican political recruitment and promotional processes; it also gives serious consideration to opposition party politics. Finally, it reflects the extensive experience of a leading scholar in this field and offers a case study of the recent Salinas administration to exemplify the theoretical points made throughout the book. The book concludes with a valuable bibliographic essay

This is an excellent book for anyone wishing to learn more about our neighbor to the south. Camp provides all the basic information about the Mexican political system. Scholars will find this to be a great resource. Camp then goes beyond the basics to provide excellent analysis of the dynamic political and economic system. His insight into the Mexican system comes from years of study. Students (and Professors) of Mexican politics will want to have this handy reference on their shelves.

"Philoctetes" takes place near the climax of the Trojan War. The title character has the great bow of Hercules, given by the demi-god on his pyre to Philoctetes's father. A member of the Achaean expedition that sailed to Troy, Philoctetes was making an altar on an island along the way when he was bitten by a snake. His cries of pain were so great that he was abandoned by his shipments, under the orders of Odysseus, and marooned on the deserted island of Lemnos. Alone and crippled, Philoctetes used the great bow to survive for the ten years the Achaeans have been fighting against Troy. During that time his hatred against the Achaeans in general, and Odysseus in particular, has grown.

Meanwhile, back at Troy, Odysseus and the other Achaean chieftains have learned from an oracle that Troy will fall only with the help of Philoctetes and his bow (a juicy tidbit it certainly would have been nice to have known eight or nine years earlier). Odysseus and Neoptolemus, son of Achilles, are sent to bring Philoctetes and his bow back to the war. Of course, Odysseus dare not show himself to Philoctetes and sends Neoptolemus to do the dirty work. Neoptolemus gains the confidences of the crippled man by lying about taking him home. During one of his agonizing spasms of pain, Philoctetes gives his bow to Neoptolemus. Regretting having lied to this helpless cripple, Philoctetes returns the bow and admits all, begging him to come to Troy of his own free will. Philoctetes refuses and when Odysseus shows his face and threatens to use force to achieve their goal, he finds himself facing a very angry archer.

In "Philoctetes" Sophocles clearly deals with the balance between the rights of the individual and the needs of society. But this is also a play about citizenship and the need for the idealism of youth to be give way to the responsibilities of adulthood. In fact, this lesson is learned both by Philoctetes, who is taught by the shade of Hercules who appears to resolve the tenses conclusion, and Neoptolemus, who finds his duties at odds with his idealized conception of heroism based upon his father. Although this is a lesser known myth and play, "Philoctetes" does raise some issues worth considering in the classroom by contemporary students.

"Philoctetes" is similar to other plays by Sophocles, which deal with the conflict between the individual and society, although this is a rare instance where Odysseus appears in good light in one of his plays; usually he is presented as a corrupter of innocence (remember, the Greeks considered the hero of Homer's epic poem to be more of a pirate than a true hero), but here he is but a spokesperson for the interests of the state. Final Note: We know of lost plays about "Philoctetes" written by both Aeschylus and Euripides. Certainly it would have been interesting to have these to compare and contrast with this play by Sophocles, just as we have with the "Electra" tragedies.

Good Greek tragedy. I especially find interesting the controversy behind the happy ending.

A group of plays, of which this was a member, won first prize in Athens. Philoctetes had been left marooned on an island several years earlier (because of his disease) under orders of Agamemnon and Menelaus. But, the two kings later discover that Troy cannot be conquered without Philoctetes and his bow, a bow given to him by Heracles. Odysseus and Neoptolemus (the son of the late Achilles) arrive at the island to persuade or trick Philoctetes to return with them. Neoptolemus wants to be noble in his actions; yet, his commander, Odysseus, wants to use guile. At the end, a deus-ex-machina device is used to resolve the conflict. The play has excellent characterization, a good plot, and steady movement.

This is a very interesting book as it is one of the few examples of sociological investigation into the military establishment in a latin american country. Camp investigates both the history of the Mexican military as well as the ongoing socializing practices of the Mexican military.

Mexico has come a long way. One of their shining successes (along with many others both economic and social) is the fact that they have maitained democratic rule, unbroken by military dictatorship for over 70 years. Some will argue that one party rule is not a real democracy but no one can argue that elections do take place, real debate (albeit within the PRI) does take place and, however indirect, their is representation of the people in government. However, we must rememeber that Mexico has maintained a democratic tradition while coping with explosive growth, market collapses and a mush internal dissension. To have kept the military at bay during all; of these events is a testament both to the democratic tradition in the country as well as ingenious use of power by politicians to keep the military in the barracks. How did they do it? One, the military is not seen as a prestigious occupation. Thus few memebers of the upper class seek careers in the military. By recruting alomost exlusively from the lower classes, the government cements their loyalty by career advancement and material security.

Secondly, the officer corps is frequently rotated in command and is kept from establishing ties to the local community or of becoming too esteemed by their troops. This prevents them from becoming "strongmen" with too much locally based autonomy. Third, they are not technocrats. The education of the military elite through the military academies is equal to a community college education. The receipt of advanced degrees in technical subjects is not actively encouraged.

Finally, the military is kept on a very short leash. The budget is always tight and arms purchases are minimal.

This is the insight provided by this very interesting and well written book.