Escolastica Rodriguez, grand daughter of the first Spanish expedition of 1776, grows up in a California that seems to be the mythical golden island Garci Rodriguez de Montalvo dreamed into existence three centuries before. A last frontier of Spanish chivalry and gracious hospitality, it is a civilization about to be trampled by the adventurer of the California Gold Rush. Escolastica, a true California, "a daughter of the country," dances between the two conflicting worlds in this novel of love and history and betrayal.
“Detail[s] the grassroots interplay among the variety of ideologies, individuals, and organizations that made up the Chicano movement in San Antonio, Texas.” –Journal of American History In the mid-1960s, San Antonio, Texas, was a segregated city governed by an entrenched Anglo social and business elite. The Mexican American barrios of the west and south sides were characterized by substandard housing and experienced seasonal flooding. Gang warfare broke out regularly. Then the striking farmworkers of South Texas marched through the city and set off a social movement that transformed the barrios and ultimately brought down the old Anglo oligarchy. In Quixote’s Soldiers, David Montejano uses a wealth of previously untapped sources, including the congressional papers of Henry B. Gonzalez, to present an intriguing and highly readable account of this turbulent period. Montejano divides the narrative into three parts. In the first part, he recounts how college student activists and politicized social workers mobilized barrio youth and mounted an aggressive challenge to both Anglo and Mexican American political elites. In the second part, Montejano looks at the dynamic evolution of the Chicano movement and the emergence of clear gender and class distinctions as women and ex-gang youth struggled to gain recognition as serious political actors. In the final part, Montejano analyzes the failures and successes of movement politics. He describes the work of second-generation movement organizations that made possible a new and more representative political order, symbolized by the election of Mayor Henry Cisneros in 1981. “A most welcome addition to the growing literature on the Chicana/o movement of the 1960s and 1970s.” –Pacific Historical Review
Easy-to-read retelling of the hilarious misadventures of Don Quixote, the idealistic knight, and his squire, Sancho Panza, who set out to right the wrongs of the world. Abridged version with six charming illustrations.
John Fante's work has consistently delved into profound themes, including the elusive American Dream, the delicate psychology of immigrants, and the intricate dynamics of Italian American families. This study reveals the ingenious manner in which Fante employs humor and satire as powerful rhetorical devices to breathe life into his Italian, Italian American, and American characters. Drawing inspiration from literary giants such as Luigi Pirandello and René Girard, the author embarks on a fascinating journey into Fante's rich literary landscape. When We Were Bandini also offers an engaging comparison between Fante's works and those of other authors like Cervantes, Hamsun, Bukowski, and even his own son, Dan Fante. This comparative analysis sheds light on the possible reasons behind Fante's unique status: he is a cult writer in Europe, relatively underappreciated in his home country, the United States. Challenging the conventional notions of Fante as a strictly autobiographical and confessional writer, the author urges readers to look beyond the surface and unravel the layers of his literary genius.
THE romance entitled "The Achievements of the Ingenious Gentleman, Don Quixote de la Mancha," was originally written in Spanish by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. It was published in two parts, the first in 1605 and the second in 1615-now just about three hundred years ago. Among the great books of the world it holds a permanent place. It has been translated into every language of Europe, even Turkish and Slavonic. It has been published in numberless editions. It has been read and enjoyed by men of the most diverse tastes and conditions. The story is so simple that every one can understand it, and yet it has in it so much wisdom that the wisest may derive pleasure from it. It touches the sen-se of humor in every heart. It moves to pity rather than ridicule, and to tears as well as laughter. And herein lies its chief claim to greatness, that it seems to have been written not for one country nor for one age alone, but to give delight to all mankind. "It is our joyfullest modern book." In its original form, however, it is a bulky work, dismaying the present-day reader by its vastness. For it fills more than a thousand closely printed pages, and the story itself is interrupted and encumbered by episodes and tedious passages which are no longer interesting and which we have no time to read. The person who would get at the kernel of this famous book and know something of its plan and its literary worth, must either struggle through many pages of tiresome details and unnecessary digressions, or he must resort to much ingenious skipping. In these days of many books and hasty reading, it is scarcely possible that any person should read the whole of Don Quixote in its original form. And yet no scholar can afford to be ignorant of a work so famous and so enjoyable. These considerations have led to the preparation of the present small volume. It is not so much an ab-ridgment of the great book by Cervantes as it is a rewriting of some of its most interesting parts. While very much of the work has necessarily been omitted, the various adventures are so related as to form a continuous narrative; and in every way an effort is made to give a clear idea of the manner and content of the original. Although Cervantes certainly had no thought of writing a story for children, there are many passages in Don Quixote which appeal particularly to young readers; and it is hoped that this adaptation of such passages will serve a useful purpose in awakening a desire to become further acquainted with that great world's classic..
Don Quixote Explained the Reference Guide analyzes the Life and Times of the Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote De La Mancha. Specially, it scrutinizes the novel’s: 110 characters; 46 relationships; 19 themes; 12 groups of people; 30 obscure words; 23 Latin phrases; 4 major jokes; 4 scene sequences; 78 Quixotic poems; 17 Quixotic letters; 2 physical objects; 11 romantic relationships; and 35 regular relationships. At 161, 917 words, it is the most comprehensive, in-depth and insightful primer on the market. Perfect for serious academics writing books and/or journal articles about Don Quixote; useful for aspiring doctors writing “Don Quixote” dissertations; practical for budding scholars writing master’s theses about “Don Quixote”; convenient for college bachelor’s writing “Don Quixote” term papers; and handy for high school students writing “Don Quixote” essays for their teachers.
The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into critical elements and ideas within classic works of literature. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. CliffsNotes on Don Quixote looks into the story of a man who seeks truth and justice with an internal vision so strong as to see through the illusion of external appearances. Following the journey of a gentle (and mad) knight, this study guide provides summaries and commentaries for each chapter within this popular—and long—novel. Other features that help you figure out this important work include Biographical sketch and background of the author, Cervantes Essays that explore the author's technique, style, and characterization Explanation and examples of the novel's themes of quixotism, truth and justice, and reality and fantasy Suggested discussion questions Bibliography and list of other works by Cervantes Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.
