Gringo

A Coming of Age in Latin America

Nonfiction, Travel, Caribbean & Latin America, Central America, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, Biography & Memoir
Cover of the book Gringo by Chesa Boudin, Scribner
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Chesa Boudin ISBN: 9781416559849
Publisher: Scribner Publication: April 14, 2009
Imprint: Scribner Language: English
Author: Chesa Boudin
ISBN: 9781416559849
Publisher: Scribner
Publication: April 14, 2009
Imprint: Scribner
Language: English

Gringo charts two journeys, both of which began a decade ago. The first is the sweeping transformation of Latin American politics that started with Hugo Chávez's inauguration as president of Venezuela in 1999. In that same year, an eighteen-year-old Chesa Boudin leaves his middle-class Chicago life -- which is punctuated by prison visits to his parents, who were incarcerated when he was fourteen months old for their role in a politically motivated bank truck robbery -- and arrives in Guatemala. He finds a world where disparities of wealth are even more pronounced and where social change is not confined to classroom or dinner-table conversations, but instead takes place in the streets.

While a new generation of progress-ive Latin American leaders rises to power, Boudin crisscrosses twenty-seven countries throughout the Americas. He witnesses the economic crisis in Buenos Aires; works inside Chávez's Miraflores palace in Caracas; watches protestors battling police on September 11, 2001, in Santiago; descends into ancient silver mines in Potosí; and travels steerage on a riverboat along the length of the Amazon. He rarely takes a plane when a fifteen-hour bus ride in the company of unfettered chickens is available.

Including incisive analysis, brilliant reportage, and deep humanity, Boudin's account of this historic period is revelatory. It weaves together the voices of Latin Americans, some rich, most poor, and the endeavors of a young traveler to understand the world around him while coming to terms with his own complicated past. The result is a marvelous mixture of coming-of-age memoir and travelogue.

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

Gringo charts two journeys, both of which began a decade ago. The first is the sweeping transformation of Latin American politics that started with Hugo Chávez's inauguration as president of Venezuela in 1999. In that same year, an eighteen-year-old Chesa Boudin leaves his middle-class Chicago life -- which is punctuated by prison visits to his parents, who were incarcerated when he was fourteen months old for their role in a politically motivated bank truck robbery -- and arrives in Guatemala. He finds a world where disparities of wealth are even more pronounced and where social change is not confined to classroom or dinner-table conversations, but instead takes place in the streets.

While a new generation of progress-ive Latin American leaders rises to power, Boudin crisscrosses twenty-seven countries throughout the Americas. He witnesses the economic crisis in Buenos Aires; works inside Chávez's Miraflores palace in Caracas; watches protestors battling police on September 11, 2001, in Santiago; descends into ancient silver mines in Potosí; and travels steerage on a riverboat along the length of the Amazon. He rarely takes a plane when a fifteen-hour bus ride in the company of unfettered chickens is available.

Including incisive analysis, brilliant reportage, and deep humanity, Boudin's account of this historic period is revelatory. It weaves together the voices of Latin Americans, some rich, most poor, and the endeavors of a young traveler to understand the world around him while coming to terms with his own complicated past. The result is a marvelous mixture of coming-of-age memoir and travelogue.

More books from Scribner

Cover of the book Pitching My Tent by Chesa Boudin
Cover of the book Mrs. Fletcher by Chesa Boudin
Cover of the book Makeup to Breakup by Chesa Boudin
Cover of the book American Histories by Chesa Boudin
Cover of the book The Heather Blazing by Chesa Boudin
Cover of the book How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog by Chesa Boudin
Cover of the book Leave the Grave Green by Chesa Boudin
Cover of the book Roadwork by Chesa Boudin
Cover of the book Daybook by Chesa Boudin
Cover of the book The Hormone Cure by Chesa Boudin
Cover of the book Whistle Stop by Chesa Boudin
Cover of the book Equal of the Sun by Chesa Boudin
Cover of the book As Husbands Go by Chesa Boudin
Cover of the book Middle Passage by Chesa Boudin
Cover of the book Timeless Healing by Chesa Boudin
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