I read this book years ago, and it is one of those books that stayed in my head. Tinguis Perez writes in simple, direct prose about some harsh situations in the US, the types of situations undocumented immigrants encounter routinely but that few US citizens will encounter at all in the ordinary routine of life. He understates everything, never sensationalizes, and the result is extraordinarily powerful and human.

Libraries are now full of statistical and sociological reports on undocumented or illegal Mexican immigrants in the U.S. This book presents what I believe in the only account in print from the personal experience of one such immigrant. It tells of his crossing the border, his apprehension by the Border Patrol, of a subsequent successful entry, and of the more than two years that Mr. Perez spent in Texas, California and Washington, living with others in his status, trying to catch the American Dream.

This book was recommended by a friend who is mentioned in the book. Otherwise I probably would not have bought it. However I found it easy to read and very enlightening. I graduated from high school in 1962 from a small town in the South. Although my path took me a different direction; I was fascinated by Dick Reavis' accounts of his experiences at voter registration in a small Southern town. He is certainly very honest in his portrayal of his contributions to the movement. Learning more about the struggles of the college students and the people in the city where they worked helped me have a better understanding of the issues they were trying to help change. I was very naive back then and quite frankly unaware of some of the restrictions that were imposed on African Americans at that time. Thanks for enlightening me. I intend to do more reading on this important chapter in American history.

.... To give an idea of what it's about, here is the start of Reavis's preface:

"I am a white Texas male, now of middle age. Thirty-five years ago, during the summers of 1965 and 1966, I was a civil rights worker in Alabama. My part in what we called the Movement was small. I didn't set policy or appear on TV. I did my time in the ranks, got out when I felt I should, and tried for years, without much success, to put the Movement behind me.

"As the years have passed, I have watched as, in my recollections, I have diminished from hero to martyr to just a kid who was there..."

The book is not a history or essay but a memoir. We follow events as seen by the naïve, idealistic kid Reavis was when he first got to Alabama, and the gradually more seasoned civil rights worker he becomes over the next two summers. Yet the story is told from the distance and maturity of middle age (which strikes a chord with someone also in middle age like myself--one looks back with bittersweet feelings at a time in life when so much seemed possible).

I found the book fascinating as well as fun to read. So much so that I read it cover to cover in one sitting despite other pressing matters.

This book was one of several that I have read on the topic of the attack on the Branch Davidian Compound in Waco, Texas. The author does a good job of telling the story and pointing out the discrepancies between what the Goverment says VS what really happened. My only complaint were the several detours into Davidian beliefs and views of their impending deaths at the hands of the Government. While all of this surely played a crucial role, the book devotes too many pages to religious beliefs instead of more detailed information about the actual assault and murders committed by the US Government.

After having read anything and everthing i could get my hands on about this subject and after talking to Marc Breault personally, I have to say that Reavis' facts are a little jumbled. He gave an honest effort of remaining neutral but halfway thru, it became apparent he was biased towards one side more than the other. He didnt delve any deeper than anyone else in retelling the story. He barely even mentioned Jaydean Wendel's curious death, nor the autopsy that her relatives revealed would show she was murdered by someone within the compound. I found his portrayal of Marc Breault was prejudiced. This man did more at trying to help the people who WANTED out of the compoud, escape than ANYONE involved. He is personally responisble for getting more than 6 families out of harms way, before Koresh took everyone to hell with him. There is obvious evidence of a government coverup at Waco, and after having corresponded with Marc Breault, I found that he also believes the government should be held totally responsible in its role in the massacre. Over all this is a good stepping stone book to others that are out there. But if you want ALL the facts.. read all of the books out there and decide for yourself what happened.

Reavis admirably portrays the malfeasance of the ATF, FBI and Justice in the Waco debacle, from bottom to top, and from beginning to the very end. An ugly affair, to be sure. The book gives a nice bit of detail and background on the Davidians and Koresh that helps the reader to place them within a more understandable context, loony though it still is. But the depiction of the entire government case can only disgust the average reader. Sad though it is, it is a must read.

This is definately NOT the type of Fodor's guidebook I was expecting. Do not get this book if your expecting a Fodor's Gold Guide. I guess I'll donate the book to the local elementary school. There seems to be a paucity of guidebooks about Dallas. Maybe I should watch reruns of the show

This is the kind of book you should read if you're interested in learning more about Texas than just where to eat and sleep. It's beautifully illustrated with great photos and very good maps, including ones that detail the larger cities. It contains glimpses into the culture and history of the state, the information that help you understand what you'll be seeing once you're there. The front cover contains a quote by the highly esteemed travel writer, Jan Morris, who says of the Compass American Guides: "The most literate and elegant series of guides ever written about North America." I agree. It's worth reading even if you don't intend to visit Texas.