Product Description Sam Quinones's first book, "True Tales From Another Mexico," was acclaimed for the way it peered into the corners of that country for its larger truths and complexities. "Antonio's Gun and Delfino's Dream," Quinones's second collection of nonfiction tales, does the same for one of the most important issues of our times: the migration of Mexicans to the United States. Quinones has covered the world of Mexican immigrants for the last thirteen years--from Chicago to Oaxaca, Michoacan to southeast Los Angeles, Tijuana to Texas. Along the way, he has uncovered stories that help illuminate all that Mexicans seek when they come north, how they change their new country, and are changed by it. Here are the stories of the Henry Ford of velvet painting in Ciudad Juarez, the emergence of opera in Tijuana, the bizarre goings-on in the L.A. suburb of South Gate, and of the drug-addled colonies of Old World German Mennonites in Chihuahua. Through it all winds the tale of Delfino Juarez, a young construction worker, and modern-day Huckleberry Finn, who had to leave his village to change it. "Sam Quinones is a border legend. For those in the know, his reportage has been cause for celebration. Now, with "Antonio's Gun and Delfino's Dream" he takes us behind the lines and undercover. He puts a human face on 'illegal immigration, ' and he gives us stunning stories of survival and dread. However, he accomplishes something more valuable than a mere parade of sensational set pieces--Quinones starts to put the complex issues in the light of understanding and hard-won wisdom."--Luis A. Urrea, author of "The Devil's Highway" and "The Hummingbird's Daughter" ""Antonio's Gun and Delfino's Dream" isjournalism that doesn't replay or expand on the clich??d or stereotyped stories of the exotic border, of mystical or threatening mejicanos. Genuinely original work, what great fiction and nonfiction aspire to be, these are stories that stop time and remind us how great reading is."--Dagoberto Gilb, author of "Hecho en Tejas" Quinones was recently interviewed on the Jim Lehrer News Hour on PBS. Read the transcript here: http: //www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/social_issues/july-dec07/quinones_07-25.html Download the podcast of Sam Quinones' interview on KSFR's Santa Fe Radio Caf??? at: http: //www.santaferadiocafe.org/podcasts/ Download the Arizona PBS show "Horizonte" featuring Sam Quinones at: http: //www.azpbs.org/horizonte/transcript06.asp?ID=465# Watch the interview with Sam Quinones on KPBS-TV in San Diego: http: //www.kpbs.org/tv/full_focus?id=8236
Antonio's Gun and Delfino's Dream: True Tales of Mixican MigrationJune 24, 2008 A well written, informitive look at Mexican Migration. Mr. Quinones knows the implications, economic, political and social, of migration on both sides of the border. He also knows his subjects and follows them on each side of the border and back and forth.
great storytellerJune 15, 2008 Sam's stories are so alive, he writes about real folks living out the dream in their own ways. I love all the chapters but there is no finer or more interesting chapter than chap. 4, Doyle and Chuy Wrap Juarez in Velvet. To me the velvet painters are heroes, their story should be told and Sam does it. The cover is done in black velvet. I love the chapter about SouthGate too. Colorful stories all.Should be required reading.
Insightful Perspective on Mexican ImmigrationOctober 29, 2007 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Border fences do not squash the kind of raging desire for a better life that the characters in Quinones book seek and find. If you are inspired by stories of simple people who accomplish amazing things against all odds, you will love this book. This is not a book about politics, it is a book about people and it just might add dimension and perspective to your opinion on border issues.
Inspiring stories of Mexican diasporaSeptember 5, 2007 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
A collection of short stories of the Mexican diaspora, saddening, uplifting and inspirational by turns that challenge the stereotype of the illegal immigrant on US media outlets. Hopefully readers will be able to bring rationality and even humanity to the immigration debate after reading these insightful stories.
Tales Across the BorderJuly 26, 2007 5 out of 5 found this review helpful
In 2002 Ruben Martinez published "Crossing Over: A Mexican Family on the Migrant Trail". The book did a wonderful job of telling the story about an extended family separated by the U.S.-Mexico border. Sam Quinones' book "Antonio's Gun and Delfino's Dream" is an equally compelling and well written, researched book. The three part story of Delfino Juarez is without comparison. Plus, the chapter on migrants from Atolinga, Zacatecas to Chicago who entered the non-Franchise fast food industry is GREAT. My only concern about the book is that Quinones sets out to tell tales about the things Mexican migrants (to the U.S.) want. Ok, generally speaking he succeeded. I was bothered by the fact that Sam seems to lose focus on migrants to the U.S. For example the book has chapters that address such topics as the rise of Opera in Tijuana, Velvet painting in Juarez, and drug smuggling into U.S. and Canada. While the chapters are facinating and well written, I felt these topics did not tie into Quinones' stated objective. Aside from this concern, Sam Quinones obviously poured his heart into the project. Kudos to him. A very good read!
