Most people are put off by sociological studies that are mostly about showing statistics and graphs. "East Los Angeles", though, is written in an engaging style that sheds new light on the direct role that Mexicans had in the creation of Los Angeles as a metropolis. My only problem with this book is that it ends its scope in 1930, before many seminal moments in Chicano history such as "Operation Wetback", the bracero program and the Zoot-Suit riots happened. If this book would have encompassed these events, it would be deserving of 5 stars. As a companion piece though, Rodolfo Acuna's book on East Los Angeles from 1945-75 is essential.