Mexico

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Pulitzer Prize–winning author James A. Michener crafts an intoxicating portrait of a land with a past and present as turbulent and colorful as any on Earth. An American journalist travels to cover a duel between two great matadors but becomes immersed in the dramatic saga of his own Mexican ancestry. The narrative spans from the brilliance and brutality of ancient civilizations to the iron grip of Spanish invaders, and into modern Mexico, which struggles to forge a nation from the ashes of revolution. With architectural splendors, frenzied bullfights, and horrific human sacrifices, Michener weaves an epic human story that stands among his best work. Praise for the novel highlights Michener's storytelling prowess, with The New York Times Book Review noting "splendid and authentic scenes in the plaza de toros" that rival the works of Hemingway and Conrad. The Los Angeles Daily News describes it as "astounding" and "fast-moving," while the St. Louis Post-Dispatch calls it "an enthralling story" that artfully merges Mexico's history with the art of bullfighting. The Richmond Times-Dispatch emphasizes its epic proportions, rich in visual and historical detail, making it a captivating read.