Appearance
The Devil's Highway
Urrea writes a compelling and insightful, account of the disastrous trek across the border ending in the death of 14 Mexican hopefuls. The narrative begins with a brief look into the Border Patrol Agent(s)/Agency and various fragile border dynamics. The meat of the book comes in the second half and it will keep your interest as the detailed fateful journey is unfolded. This is done in part by the authors ability to create and capture the imagery of the Devils Highway landscape and history. I would recommend this book for anyone wanting a look into the shadowy Border Crossing world or just a story capturing a journey of a harsh desert landscape gone wrong in every way!
The Devil's Highway
I was assigned this book for a college English class. I was not looking forward to reading it, but found myself very glad I did.It is a very interesting account of a true life happening told in a poetic(almost florid) way. The word pictures are amazing! I appreciate the way the author "shows" not "tells".I especially enjoyed the way each person's point of view is explained. Immigration is a very complicated problems with no easy solutions. This book did a good job of making me empathize with and understand the various characters whose lives are very removed and different from my own.(In that way it reminded me of "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman.)
The Devil's Highway
Wow, Extremely powerful book, very personal and depressing. How any human can endure what many illegal immigrants endure is shocking. I recommend this book for insight as well as inspiration to take action and eradicate ignorance. Despite your views on border policy, there is no human that deserves the horrible deaths that many experience as described in this book. Urrea offers an amazing insight into consideration for the lives of all people involved in illegal immigration when shaping policy.A must-read!
The Devil's Highway
Gave a new perspective. Rather than what you see in the headlines (I.e. seven illegals died in desert) Albert gives these people faces.. He tells you about their lives before their ill fated journey and what caused them to make such a journey in the first place. He explains what happens to the human body when faced with dehydration and exposure. Would recommend
The Devil's Highway
I spent 39 years working for immigration and arrested and deported hundreds of illegal aliens. I learned to appreciate the desperate position they were in. The author captures the humanity of the immigrants and the Border Patrol agents in this story. He incorporates the correct folklore and language used by both groups. Few people know why Border Patrol agents refer to illegal aliens as "tonks." It is rare to find a book with such great prose that also incorporates the details with precise accuracy. The book should be required reading for high school or college students.
The Devil's Highway
I saw the author interviewed by Bill Moyers and decided to read this disturbing story. Tells the painful truth about Mexicans who are brave enough to try getting into the U.S. by a very dangerous route. Americans need to read this book.