Gods, Gachupines and Gringos: A People’s History of Mexico

Richard Grabman
Editorial Mazatlan (2008)
ASIN Boo1NEK95S
Reviewed By Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (11/08)

Richard Grabman’s “Gods, Gachupines and Gringos” covers the history of Mexico’s multiculturalism going back to the mother country Spain and the pre-conquest days of Aztec and Mayan civilizations and the early migration of ancient peoples from Siberia moving through Alaska, spreading out through the Americas, and settling in the tropical mountains of Mexico.

With the onset of Spain’s conquest for Aztec treasures and their hunger for gold, they soon established a pattern of oppression and abuse. They pillaged local villages, kidnapped leaders, enslaved rebels, and destroyed local gods in their temples.

Grabman gives an excellent account of the competition of the Hapsburg and Bourbon families as they vied for power after the death of Carols II during the reign of Spain in early 1700. A century later during the “Age of Santa Ana” Mexico had a parade of colorful figures: De Iturbide, Guadalupe Victoria, Poinsett, and Alexander von Humboldt.

I particularly appreciated Grabman’s objective approach in his coverage of the power exercised by the Catholic Church and their influence on the spiritual, economic, political, and military events from the time of the Inquisition, the impact of the Jesuits, and during the years of Hidalgo, the reform in 1857, and right on through to contemporary issues faced in the 21st century.

Another aspect of Grabman’s writing that appealed to me was the way he captured the human frailties and virtues of the personalities of the key players in Mexico’s tumultuous development as a nation. He presented a very candid look at U. S. Military involvement during the complex years of the Mexican revolution during Wilson’s presidency.
Detailed events of the years 1920 through 1946 include discussion of the educational and cultural development of Mexico, the economic crash of 1929, and the hardships of the depression years. He then went on to shed light on the new frontiers of the sixties, and concluded with a look into the country’s future.

Catchy chapter titles are an evidence of Richard’s wit and humor. Some of my favorites include: Restless Knights, The Saints Come Marching In, Cops and Robbers, and the Fatal Glass of Beer.

I enjoyed Grabman’s subtle humor as he championed Jose Maria Morelos as the leader of the first modern guerrilla movement. Morelos continued the revolt after Hidalgo was beheaded. 

The book is thoroughly researched and well documented with an all-inclusive bibliography and a complete index.

Richard Grabman’s “Gods, Gachupines, and Gringos: A People’s History of Mexico” is highly readable, well articulated, and remarkably comprehensive.

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