The Buenavida Dilemma is a rich account of the history and life experiences of Hispanics in the Southwest and West from the 1850s through today. Using five generations of the Buenavida family, the author describes the social and cultural events and issues, including legal conflicts affecting Hispanics. Hot and controversial topics such as "English Only" laws; discrimination in schools and environmental justice are examined and pointedly analyzed. The book will illuminate the Hispanic struggle to maintain one's culture while succeeding in the U.S. mainstream. Jose Uranga has successfully interwoven the history of Mexican Americans in the Southwest with the experiences of the Buenavida family. To be or not to be is a dilemma that many Latinos faced when they encountered Anglo society and the United States or local governments. The Buenavida family's journey on that path of adjustment always meant choices of giving up or suppressing their native culture in order to work with the larger Anglo culture. More often, choices were made for Latinos in terms of schools and classes, who their friends would be and what kinds of jobs they could have. This is an excellent book for anyone who wishes to more fully understand the historical contexts of Mexican Americans in the Southwest and the impact of Anglo society on Latinos. This book would be a fine addition for those teachers who also wish to have cultural materials for their classes at the middle, high school and college levels. Dr. Raymond Sandoval has taught at several universities including UCLA, University of Colorado at Denver and the University of Santa Clara. He is a well-recognized Latino scholar and expert in cultural diversity training.

The Buenavida Dilemma is a rich account of the history and life experiences of Hispanics in the Southwest and West from the 1850s through today. Using five generations of the Buenavida family, the author describes the social and cultural events and issues, including legal conflicts affecting Hispanics. Hot and controversial topics such as "English Only" laws; discrimination in schools and environmental justice are examined and pointedly analyzed. The book will illuminate the Hispanic struggle to maintain one's culture while succeeding in the U.S. mainstream. Jose Uranga has successfully interwoven the history of Mexican Americans in the Southwest with the experiences of the Buenavida family. To be or not to be is a dilemma that many Latinos faced when they encountered Anglo society and the United States or local governments. The Buenavida family's journey on that path of adjustment always meant choices of giving up or suppressing their native culture in order to work with the larger Anglo culture. More often, choices were made for Latinos in terms of schools and classes, who their friends would be and what kinds of jobs they could have. This is an excellent book for anyone who wishes to more fully understand the historical contexts of Mexican Americans in the Southwest and the impact of Anglo society on Latinos. This book would be a fine addition for those teachers who also wish to have cultural materials for their classes at the middle, high school and college levels. Dr. Raymond Sandoval has taught at several universities including UCLA, University of Colorado at Denver and the University of Santa Clara. He is a well-recognized Latino scholar and expert in cultural diversity training.

The Buenavida America continues to follow The Buenavida Dilemma and The Death of the Brown Americano by describing the trials and successes of the Buenavida family from 1900 to the present in New Mexico and the southwest in general. A central theme of the book is whether Hispanics must necessarily sacrifice their language and culture in order to fully assimilate and be successful in the U.S. society. Praise for The Buenavida America Generational novels have that rare gift of granting the reader insights into ones own past and future. Jos Uranga performs that task exceedingly well, adding the pleasant placement of the Buenavidas into meaningful historical context. Paul A. Garca, Ph.D, University of Kansas, School of Education, retired Sharing a life story is not as easy as just telling a story. Jos Uranga does this with historical references and background that intrigue and educate. Rebecca Dukes, Vice-President, University Advancement, San Jos State University Jos Uranga does a fine job providing important food for thought in The Buenavida America and his book highlights poignant cultural threads imbedded in the history of New Mexico. The fictional yet historical based testimonios illustrated by the Buenavida family shed light on the complexities, challenges, and victories Hispanics experience while traversing identity in present day America. Maria Martnez Bain, Ph.D, New Mexico State University

The Death of theBrown Americano follows on The Buenavida Dilemma and examines the experiences of one Hispanic family living in the territory of New Mexico from 1850 through 1913. Th e author details the life and times of the Buenavida family as it struggles to survive and adapt to a new country while preserving its cultural values. PRAISE FOR THE BUENAVIDA DILEMMA The author has written a compact and poignant treatment of the subject (the experiences of the Hispanics who settled the Southwest) which not only informs us of the history of Hispanics in the Southwest, but also of the impact of that history on the social structure of southwest society and the success of Hispanic peoples. Barbara Couture, PhD, President, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico PRAISE FOR THE DEATH OF THE BROWN AMERICANO I could imagine my own ancestors in these situations (those of the Buenavidas)in fact much of what Jose Uranga recounts is probably very similar to what most early Hispanics experienced. Some had the foresight and courage to cope with the situations proactively as the Buenavida family did, but others obviously did not and many opportunities were lost or not fully exploited. Many, however, through the generations not only persevered but succeeded wildly. Manuel Pacheco, PhD, Phoenix, Arizona, President Emeritus, University of Missouri, University of Arizona A touching story of a traditional Hispanic family which brings to life key events in the history of New Mexico during the late 1800s by weaving them with family history. An excellent supplement for New Mexico history teachers. Cynthia Castaeda, PhD, Professor of Government, Eastfield College, Dallas, Texas

The Death of theBrown Americano follows on The Buenavida Dilemma and examines the experiences of one Hispanic family living in the territory of New Mexico from 1850 through 1913. Th e author details the life and times of the Buenavida family as it struggles to survive and adapt to a new country while preserving its cultural values. PRAISE FOR THE BUENAVIDA DILEMMA The author has written a compact and poignant treatment of the subject (the experiences of the Hispanics who settled the Southwest) which not only informs us of the history of Hispanics in the Southwest, but also of the impact of that history on the social structure of southwest society and the success of Hispanic peoples . Barbara Couture, PhD, President, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico PRAISE FOR THE DEATH OF THE BROWN AMERICANO I could imagine my own ancestors in these situations (those of the Buenavidas) in fact much of what Jose Uranga recounts is probably very similar to what most early Hispanics experienced. Some had the foresight and courage to cope with the situations proactively as the Buenavida family did, but others obviously did not and many opportunities were lost or not fully exploited. Many, however, through the generations not only persevered but succeeded wildly . Manuel Pacheco, PhD, Phoenix, Arizona, President Emeritus, University of Missouri, University of Arizona A touching story of a traditional Hispanic family which brings to life key events in the history of New Mexico during the late 1800's by weaving them with family history. An excellent supplement for New Mexico history teachers . Cynthia Castañeda, PhD, Professor of Government, Eastfield College, Dallas, Texas

How to be Good is Nick Hornby's hilarious bestselling novel on life, love and charity 'I am in a car park in Leeds when I tell my husband I don't want to be married to him any more. . . ' London GP Katie Carr always thought she was a good person. With her husband David making a living as 'The Angriest Man in Holloway', she figured she could put up with anything. Until, that is, David meets DJ Goodnews and becomes a good person too. A far-too-good person who starts committing crimes of charity like taking in the homeless and giving their kids' toys away. Suddenly Katie's feeling very bad about herself, and thinking that if charity begins at home, then maybe its time to move. . . This laugh-out-loud novel, from the bestselling author of About a Boy and High Fidelity, will have you gripped from start to finish and will appeal to fans of David Nicholls and Jonathan Coe, as well as readers in need of a moral compass everywhere. 'Pins you in your armchair ad won't let go . . . How to be Good? How to be bloody marvellous, more like' Mail on Sunday 'It does exactly what it says on the cover. Hornby's prose is artful and effortless, his spiky wit as razored as a number-two cut' Independent 'The writing is so funny, and the set-pieces so brilliant...Hornby's best book since Fever Pitch' Lynn Truss, The Times