Mayor of Juárez Jose Reyes Ferriz is a central figure in the book. He, along with newspaper reporter Raymundo Ruiz, human rights ombudsman Gustavo de la Rosa, and a mistress named "Elena" are four major sources.[2] Interviews from these sources and others were used in the book.[1] The Villas de Salvárcar massacre is described in this book.
Author's background
The author has dual U.S.-Mexican citizenship and is a filmmaker.[3] He also works at the University of Texas at Austin as a professor of educational psychology.[2] Ainslie was able to connect with not only regular people but also politicians and activists as part of his research.[4]
Reception
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2014)
Candace E. Griffith of West Virginia University wrote that the book can cater to a wide audience, from politicians to ordinary people.[5]
Kirkus Reviews concluded that the book is "A hard-nosed, cleareyed analysis of a legacy of institutionalized corruption and its dire consequences for human lives."[3]
Publishers Weekly stated "Although not easy to read, this is an important work for any reader concerned about Mexico."[6]
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