A Rare Find

Reviewed by Zane, 2009-03-08

An exciting and informative pager-turner. Terrific. Kandell brings history to life. An especially important read for anyone planning to visit Mexico City.

Recommend with some concern

Reviewed by Fiona Guillory, 2008-02-03

Mexico City is a fascinating place. It is ancient and modern at once. Not even this thick book could record all the information one could know about the capital of Mexico. I have read many books on the history of Mexico, and this is a good one. There is in-depth information on the history of the city since the Fifteenth Century. I am concerned, however, that the book is almost obscene in its bias. All authors, I am certain, use a certain amount of bias when they write about a subject; however, most either advertise their bias clearly or suppress it somewhat so it will not get in the way of the information. Mr. Kandell does neither. Enjoy this book, if you buy it, but please be warned that you may have to seek out other sources for the side story Kandell chooses not to tell.

One-sided

Reviewed by Anonymous, 2002-11-25

From all the other reviews here I really thought this was going to be a good book. I'm only partially through it and I'm already disappointed. I've read lots of fiction and non-fiction about the Aztecs and this book contains tons of contradictory information than what is found in the very few records that were salvaged after the Conquest. Jonathan Kandell constantly is quoting "the annals" -- WHAT ANNALS?? If I had a penny for each time the word annals is mentioned I could own Mexico! Kandell also takes a very one-sided look at the lives and customs of the Aztec (Mexica) people. His viewpoints are obviously swayed by the history written by the victors of the Conquest.

As for being "Michener-like" as someone said previously - Kandell doesn't even come close. Michener has a way of taking boring facts and turning them into an entertaining story. Kandell is just plain boring.

And, if it's true, as one of the other reviewers here mentioned, that George Bush recommended it as a good book - well, then shame on me for buying it - I should have known better.

As for the rest of the book (aside from pre-Hispanic history), I haven't gotten there yet. I will definitely finish this book in order to give it the benefit of the doubt, but I'm not looking forward to it.

La Capital - A Great Read

Reviewed by Charles Cutting, 2001-07-12

Anyone at all interested in Mexico should read this book. This book is written in a style ala James Mitchner. It deals with a huge period of time, starting before the time of the Aztecs and moves through to modern times. The author keeps it exciting and accurate. He covers the highlights of Mexico City and because of it's governmental centralization, the Country of Mexico itself, without becoming overly bogged down in detail. If you are a fan of historical novels, this is a book you won't be able to put down.

A delightful read

Reviewed by Paul V Caetano, 2000-06-15

La Capital tells an absorbing story by following the twists and turns of the history of Mexico City. The writing style is clear yet the author also gives a comprehensive history of the Mexican capital. Of special note are the many anecdotes which provide much of the human interest for the reader. My favourite was the story of Irma Serrena "La Tigresa", a presidential mistress.