In the heartwarming tradition of holiday tales that transport adventurers to enchanting worlds of wonder, I invite you to embark on an extraordinary adventure unlike any other - a festive escapade that unfolds against the backdrop of the vibrant landscapes, rich traditions, and diverse cultures of Mexico. Get ready to unwrap the magic of Christmas in a way you've never imagined as we delve into the pages of "Santa Mexicana: A Christmas Journey Across Mexico." Santa Mexicana's Festive Attire: Embracing Christmas Cheer and Mexican Vibrancy As Santa Mexicana continues his unique adventure, witness the transformation as he dons a colorful serape and a festive sombrero, parading through the mercado. Children giggle at his joyful appearance, setting the stage for heartwarming connections and a celebration of Christmas cheer intertwined with the vibrancy of Mexico. Folklore Fiesta: Dancing with Alebrijes and Discovering Aztec Secrets The adventure takes a whimsical turn as Santa Mexicana shares a cup of pozole with the mischievous Chupacabra and engages in an enchanting dance with Alebrijes, celebrating the magic of imagination. In the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan, Santa Mexicana meets Quetzalcoatl, the wise serpent deity, unraveling the secrets of the Aztec calendar and fostering a sense of wonder and excitement. Landmarks of Love: Exploring Ancient Pyramids, Breathtaking Beaches, and Cultural Festivals From the towering pyramids of Teotihuacan to the breathtaking beaches of Playa del Carmen, the journey unfolds through revered shrines like the Basilica of Guadalupe and the vibrant Guelaguetza festival in Oaxaca. Each landmark becomes a chapter in Santa Mexicana's tale, inspiring awe, relaxation, faith, and the celebration of cultural exchange. A Village's Hope: Resilience and Compassion After a Devastating Earthquake Santa Mexicana's journey leads him to a remote village in the Sierra Madre Mountains, where the aftermath of a devastating earthquake unfolds. Through empathy and compassion, Santa Mexicana fosters a heartwarming tale of hope, community, and the magic of Christmas, showcasing the transformative power of connection. Starlit Miracle: Jingle of Hooves and Bells, Gifts Beyond Toys, and the Promise of a Brighter Future As Christmas Eve approaches, the starlit miracle unfolds with the jingle of hooves and bells, bringing gifts beyond toys to the children. Santa Mexicana's heartfelt offerings carry not only the magic of Christmas but also the promise of a brighter future for the village. The encounter instills a sense of hope and optimism, leaving adventurers with a warm and uplifting feeling as they witness the transformative power of kindness. Spirit of Christmas: Lessons of Courage and Friendship, Unwrapping the True Meaning Through Santa Mexicana's adventures, adventurers learn valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and the true meaning of Christmas. The encounters with diverse characters and challenges emphasize the importance of facing obstacles with bravery and cultivating meaningful connections. As Christmas Eve approaches, Santa Mexicana reflects on his journey, encouraging adventurers to unwrap the true meaning of Christmas - a celebration of love, generosity, and the magic that comes from spreading joy to others. Join Santa Mexicana on a Christmas Journey Across Mexico Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions, a dash of magic, and a sprinkle of cultural richness as "Santa Mexicana: A Christmas Journey Across Mexico" takes you on a festive ride. This family entertainment promises not just a holiday read, but a memorable adventure that will warm your heart and ignite the spirit of Christmas within you. So, buckle up for a journey like no other, as Santa Mexicana brings the magic of Christmas to life in the heartland of Mexico!

This is a study of one of the leading politicians of Independent Mexico, Jose Maria Tornel y Mendivil, whose loyalty to Santa Anna and whose skills as a writer led him to play a crucial role in enabling the caudillo's repeated rise to power during this period. This first biography of Tornel in English provides a new insight into the political thought of the santanistas and the ways in which Santa Anna was able to return to power time and again in spite of the fact that he was deemed responsible for such major national disasters as the Texas campaign of 1836 and the 1847 defeat against the United States. A close analysis of Tornel's own political evolution, from advocating a radical federalist agenda in the 1820s to defending reactionary dictatorship in the 1850s, illustrates the extent to which the santanistas' policies changed as the hopeful, early 1820s degenerated into the despair of the late 1840s. As the leading ideologue of the santanistas, a study of his politics, paying close attention to the way they evolved in response to the different crises Mexico underwent, highlights, for the first time, the extent to which Santa Anna and his followers upheld a particular political agenda which was essentially populist, militaristic, antipolitics, and nationalistic, and varied depending on the prevailing circumstances and the different historical contexts in which it surfaced. A study of Tornel's activities as Santa Anna's main informer in the capital, his leading propagandist, and as a key player in the orchestration of revolts such as the 1834 Plan of Cuernavaca, serves to show the extent to which Santa Anna's success relied on Tornel's services. Coincidentally or not, without Tornel, Santa Anna was not able to return to power after his fall in 1855.

This enduring classic of Mexican literature traces the path to ruination of a country girl, Santa, who moves to Mexico City after she is impregnated and abandoned by her lover and subsequently shunned by her family. Once in the city, Santa turns to prostitution and soon gains prominence as Mexico City's most sought-after courtesan. Despite the opportunities afforded by her success, including the chance to quit prostitution, Santa is propelled by her personal demons toward her ultimate downfall. This evocative novel--justly famous for its vividly detailed depiction of the cityscape and the city's customs, social interactions, and political activities--assumed singular importance in Mexican popular culture after its original publication in 1903. The book inspired Mexico's first "talkie" and several other film adaptations, a music score, a radio series, a television soap opera, and a pornographic comic book. Naturalist writer Federico Gamboa, who was also a lawyer and politician, reveals much about Mexican mores and culture at the start of the twentieth century and beyond, from expectations regarding gender roles to the myth of the corrupting and decadent city. In describing how Santa is at the mercy of social problems beyond her control, Gamboa provides a rich historical portrayal of widespread conditions in the years leading to the Mexican Revolution.

In this biography of Joaquín de Arredondo, historian Bradley Folsom brings to life one of the most influential and ruthless leaders in North American history. Arredondo (1776–1837), a Bourbon loyalist who governed Texas and the other interior provinces of northeastern New Spain during the Mexican War of Independence, contended with attacks by revolutionaries, U.S. citizens, generals who had served in Napoleon’s army, pirates, and various American Indian groups, all attempting to wrest control of the region. Often resorting to violence to deal with the provinces’ problems, Arredondo was for ten years the most powerful official in northeastern New Spain. Folsom’s lively account shows the challenges of governing a vast and inhospitable region and provides insight into nineteenth-century military tactics and Spanish viceregal realpolitik. When Arredondo and his army—which included Arredondo’s protégé, future president of Mexico Antonio López de Santa Anna—arrived in Nuevo Santander in 1811, they quickly suppressed a revolutionary upheaval. Arredondo went on to expel an army of revolutionaries and invaders from the United States who had taken over Texas and declared it an independent republic. In the Battle of Medina, the bloodiest battle ever fought in Texas, he crushed the insurgents and followed his victory with a purge that reduced Texas’s population by half. Over the following eight years, Arredondo faced fresh challenges to Spanish sovereignty ranging from Comanche and Apache raids to continued American incursion. In response, Arredondo ignored his superiors and ordered his soldiers to terrorize those who disagreed with him. Arredondo’s actions had dramatic repercussions in Texas, Mexico, and the United States. His decision to allow Moses Austin to colonize Texas with Americans would culminate in the defeat of Santa Anna in 1836, but not before Santa Anna had made good use of the lessons in brutality he had learned so well from his mentor.

"This book uses a gender perspective to examine sermons and other officially endorsed discourses of the Catholic Church in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Mexico City. Analyzing the different ways that, over time, gendered images, metaphors, and hagiographical examples were used in sermons and other documents, the book examines how the church negotiated challenges to its cultural and ideological hegemony. Beginning with sermons from the early eighteenth century, the author follows the evolution of church discourses as preachers reveled in Baroque analogies, embraced ideals of the Enlightenment, targeted women's alleged moral vices at times of political crisis, and ultimately turned to notions of women as ""the devout sex"" in order to combat incipient liberalism. Put another way, liberals after independence were not the only ones to assert a kind of ""republican motherhood"": preachers countered with a vision of ""Catholic motherhood"" that had great resonance in Mexico even into the twentieth century."

Santa Muerte is a complete ritual guide to working with this famous and beloved Mexican folk saint. Death welcomes everyone. This is the foundation for the veneration of Santa Muerte, or "Holy Death." Considered to be the female personification of death, she is associated with protection and safe passage to the afterlife. She is also the patron saint of people who live on the fringes of society and often face violence and death. In recent years her constituency has expanded to include the LGBT community and people who are marginalized or whose jobs put them at significant risk of death such as military and police personnel. Santa Muerte is hailed as their potent and powerful protector, capable of delivering them from harm and even granting miracles. Santa Muerte is a complete ritual guide to working with this famous--and infamous!--Mexican folk saint. It takes us beyond the sensational headlines to reveal the truth about why Santa Muerte is so beloved by so many. Author Tracey Rollin presents simple, straightforward methods for working with Holy Death that may be used alone or easily incorporated into your own magical practice.