"[A] probing and passionate inquiry.... Mr. Hart"s book goes a long way toward dispelling myths and clarifying the process of Mexican history.... It is one of the strengths of Mr.Hart"s book that he not only understands the presence of the past in Mexico, but that he organizes the mutual responses of traditionalism and modernization so clearly. Carlos Fuentes, New York Times Book Review "This is the best book on Mexico I have ever seen.... The author"s achievement, I believe, is not merely in the remarkably deep and sustained use of new information, but, equally, in his success in envisioning the sweeping analysis which he then carries through the whole work". Clifton B.Kroeber, Norman Bridge Professor of Hispanic American History, Occidental College "An important book... valuable for both policy makers and concerned citizens in presenting the Mexican nationalist side of the tense...