Knowing History in Mexico

An Ethnography of Citizenship

Nonfiction, History, Americas, Mexico, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology
Cover of the book Knowing History in Mexico by Trevor Stack, University of New Mexico Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Trevor Stack ISBN: 9780826352545
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press Publication: November 15, 2012
Imprint: University of New Mexico Press Language: English
Author: Trevor Stack
ISBN: 9780826352545
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
Publication: November 15, 2012
Imprint: University of New Mexico Press
Language: English

While much has been written about national history and citizenship, anthropologist Trevor Stack focuses on the history and citizenship of towns and cities. Basing his inquiry on fieldwork in west Mexican towns near Guadalajara, Stack begins by observing that people talked (and wrote) of their towns’ history and not just of Mexico’s.

Key to Stack’s study is the insight that knowing history can give someone public status or authority. It can make someone stand out as a good or eminent citizen. What is it about history that makes this so? What is involved in knowing history and who is good at it? And what do they gain from being eminent citizens, whether of towns or nations?

As well as academic historians, Stack interviewed people from all walks of life—bricklayers, priests, teachers, politicians, peasant farmers, lawyers, and migrants. Resisting the idea that history is intrinsically interesting or valuable—that one simply must know the past in order to understand the present—he explores the very idea of “the past” and asks why it is valued by so many people.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

While much has been written about national history and citizenship, anthropologist Trevor Stack focuses on the history and citizenship of towns and cities. Basing his inquiry on fieldwork in west Mexican towns near Guadalajara, Stack begins by observing that people talked (and wrote) of their towns’ history and not just of Mexico’s.

Key to Stack’s study is the insight that knowing history can give someone public status or authority. It can make someone stand out as a good or eminent citizen. What is it about history that makes this so? What is involved in knowing history and who is good at it? And what do they gain from being eminent citizens, whether of towns or nations?

As well as academic historians, Stack interviewed people from all walks of life—bricklayers, priests, teachers, politicians, peasant farmers, lawyers, and migrants. Resisting the idea that history is intrinsically interesting or valuable—that one simply must know the past in order to understand the present—he explores the very idea of “the past” and asks why it is valued by so many people.

More books from University of New Mexico Press

Cover of the book Everyday Life and Politics in Nineteenth Century Mexico by Trevor Stack
Cover of the book Fly-Fishing Secrets of the Ancients by Trevor Stack
Cover of the book Indigenous Religion and Cultural Performance in the New Maya World by Trevor Stack
Cover of the book Broken Glass by Trevor Stack
Cover of the book Miziker’s Complete Event Planner’s Handbook by Trevor Stack
Cover of the book Women Drug Traffickers by Trevor Stack
Cover of the book The Legend of Ponciano Gutiérrez and the Mountain Thieves by Trevor Stack
Cover of the book First Blood and Other Stories by Trevor Stack
Cover of the book Weighty Words, Too by Trevor Stack
Cover of the book Wolves at Our Door by Trevor Stack
Cover of the book Creating Charismatic Bonds in Argentina by Trevor Stack
Cover of the book A Harvest of Reluctant Souls by Trevor Stack
Cover of the book Gus Blaisdell Collected by Trevor Stack
Cover of the book Imagine a City That Remembers by Trevor Stack
Cover of the book Sing My Whole Life Long by Trevor Stack
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy