A unique biographical source revealing the experiences common to Mexican-Americans as well as the `diversity and complexity of their struggles to enter the mainstream.' Of the 270 men and women included, approximately 200 are contemporary Mexican-Americans. . . . [H]ighly recommended for large public libraries and special collections. Library Journal

This biographical dictionary provides a useful source for identifying the important figures in the Mexican American/Chicano experience from 1848 to the present. It includes approximately 280 figures, many of whom are contemporary leaders in politics, education, the arts, sports, and other fields. Arranged alphabetically, the entries contain brief biographies of the people who have made Mexican American history while playing important roles in American society, the focus is primarily on public and professional life, with the most important figures receiving greater attention and more detailed histories. Most of the entries are followed by one or more bibliographic references; there are indexes of the biographees by state and by fields of activity. An outstanding feature of this sourcebook is the inclusion of a broader scope of information about each of the figures, such as their social and intellectual background, academic training, their development in their chosen fields, and signal achievements as shown by appointments, awards, and prizes.

MATT S. MEIER is the Patrick A. Donohoe Professor in the Department of History at Santa Clara University.