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Kelly Lytle Hernandez
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Bad Mexicans: Race, Empire, and Revolution in the Borderlands Hardcover – May 10, 2022

4.5 out of 5 stars 597 ratings
Goodreads Choice Award nominee

Winner of the Bancroft Prize • One of The New Yorker’s Best Books of 2022 • A Kirkus Best World History Book of 2022
One of Smithsonian's 10 Best History Books of 2022 • Longlisted for the 2022 National Book Award for Nonfiction • Shortlisted for the PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award for Nonfiction • Shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction • Shortlisted for the Mark Lynton History prize • Longlisted for the Cundill. History Prize

“Rebel historian” Kelly Lytle Hernández reframes our understanding of U.S. history in this groundbreaking narrative of revolution in the borderlands.

Bad Mexicans tells the dramatic story of the magonistas, the migrant rebels who sparked the 1910 Mexican Revolution from the United States. Led by a brilliant but ill-tempered radical named Ricardo Flores Magón, the magonistas were a motley band of journalists, miners, migrant workers, and more, who organized thousands of Mexican workers―and American dissidents―to their cause. Determined to oust Mexico’s dictator, Porfirio Díaz, who encouraged the plunder of his country by U.S. imperialists such as Guggenheim and Rockefeller, the rebels had to outrun and outsmart the swarm of U. S. authorities vested in protecting the Diaz regime. The U.S. Departments of War, State, Treasury, and Justice as well as police, sheriffs, and spies, hunted the magonistas across the country. Capturing Ricardo Flores Magón was one of the FBI’s first cases.

But the magonistas persevered. They lived in hiding, wrote in secret code, and launched armed raids into Mexico until they ignited the world’s first social revolution of the twentieth century.

Taking readers to the frontlines of the magonista uprising and the counterinsurgency campaign that failed to stop them, Kelly Lytle Hernández puts the magonista revolt at the heart of U.S. history. Long ignored by textbooks, the magonistas threatened to undo the rise of Anglo-American power, on both sides of the border, and inspired a revolution that gave birth to the Mexican-American population, making the magonistas’ story integral to modern American life.

39 photographs and 1 map
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  1. Reading age
    1 year and up
  2. Print length
    384 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Dimensions
    6.3 x 1.3 x 9.4 inches
  5. Publisher
    W. W. Norton & Company
  6. Publication date
    May 10, 2022
  7. ISBN-10
    1324004371
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1324004370
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From the Publisher

Winner of the 2023 Bancroft Prize
Im mad at Kelly Lyttle Hernandez Robin G Kelley
There is no hollywood movie about the Magonistas,

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There is no Hollywood movie about the magonistas, although reading “Bad Mexicans” is like watching one....Like Flores Magón, Lytle Hernández’s pen is her sword; her writing is a monument to the belief that language can change the world."
― Geraldo Cadava, New Yorker

"Hernandez’s staggering, essential study argues that 'he history of the United States as a global power' can’t be told without Mexico, Mexicans, and Mexican Americans as central actors."
― Walton Muyumba, Boston Globe

"Fantastic....absorbing....Hernández masterfully weaves it all together into a compelling narrative, parts of which I will read again and again."
― Michael Barnes, Austin-American Statesman

"I’m mad at Kelly Lytle Hernández. Every time I pick up something she’s written, I can’t put it down. I’ve lost hours, days, sleep, missed deadlines and appointments, made my kids late to school reading Migra! and City of Inmates, and, now, Bad Mexicans. Her writing is like a drug, riveting, intoxicating, vivid. And she’s a damned historian! I come away from reading Kelly’s writing exhilarated and inspired."
― Robin D. G. Kelley, author of Thelonious Monk

"An award-winning, internationally acclaimed scholar, Kelly Lytle Hernández delivers historical analysis with clear relevance in today’s sociopolitical climate. A leading voice on issues ranging from immigration to policing to the criminal justice system more broadly, her work is known for empowering a wide range of communities, providing the necessary historical framing to build synergy among some of today’s most daring social movements."
― Heather Anne Thompson, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Blood in the Water

"Kelly Lytle Hernández is one of the most compelling historians in her field. Synthesizing the complexities of race, gender, and ethnicity into the fabric of living history, her work sheds light on today’s crucial issues and her passion has the capacity to not only inform but to change minds."
― Michael Eric Dyson, New York Times best-selling author of What Truth Sounds Like

"Kelly Lytle Hernández writes history and makes history. She is one of the most admired and respected historians of Mexican-American history and the United States. Conveying deep archival research in a compelling, accessible narrative, she breathes life into history."
― Vicki Lynn Ruiz, winner of the National Humanities Medal

"In this sweeping cross-border narrative, Lytle-Hernández places the Magón brothers and the Mexican Revolution squarely at the heart of U.S. history―revealing not only the centrality of Mexicans to the U.S. story but also the currents of imperialism, racial violence, and political suppression that have shaped the United States as we know it today. In Bad Mexicans, Lytle-Hernández displays the skills of a deep thinker, a powerful storyteller, and an assiduous and implacable researcher."
― Natalia Molina, MacArthur Fellow and author of A Place at the Nayarit

"Lytle Hernández is a natural storyteller, and her writing shines throughout "Bad Mexicans." And while it reads like a novel ― she proves to be masterful at building narrative suspense ― it's also meticulously researched, and the author provides ample context to help readers understand the history of Mexico and its relationship with the U.S."
― Michael Schaub, Star Tribune

"An astute historical analysis....a gripping cross-border study....While the Mexican Revolution (1910-1917) is usually discussed in the context of its influence on Central America, the author argues convincingly that it ‘also remade the United States’....The author combines a masterful grasp of archival material and accessible prose, transforming what could have been a dry academic work into a page-turner....A beautifully crafted, impressively inclusive history of the Mexican Revolution."
― Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Kelly Lytle Hernández holds The Thomas E. Lifka Endowed Chair in History and directs the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA. A 2019 MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient, she is the author of the award-winning books Migra! and City of Inmates. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company (May 10, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1324004371
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1324004370
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 1 year and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.3 x 1.3 x 9.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 597 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
597 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging from beginning to end and well-written, with one noting it's an essential read for understanding the subject matter. Moreover, the book is thoroughly researched and informative, with one customer highlighting how it chronicles the impact of Flores Magon. Additionally, they appreciate the character development, with one review noting the detailed portrayal of various leaders involved in the narrative.

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24 customers mention "Readability"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book captivating and easy to read, with one customer noting it is compelling from beginning to end.

"...Well worth the read, and it sparks the interest of Millennials and GenZs in history itself. (Yippee!)" Read more

"The book was well written by the author. I found the book interesting as I didn't know about what happened." Read more

"I liked the book (particularly the latter chapters) as it provides a good description of the role of the magonistas in triggering the Mexican..." Read more

"Fun read and historically enlightening." Read more

23 customers mention "Historical accuracy"23 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the historical accuracy of the book, describing it as a compelling and engaging narrative. One customer notes how it illuminates the historical and economic relationship between countries, while another mentions it should be required reading alongside Texas history.

"...Dr Lytle Hernández’s book is interesting and very accessible...." Read more

"This is how history should be done, finding a story almost no one knows, setting it in a larger context, and telling it with brilliant imagery, a..." Read more

"...Bad Mexicans" is an incredibly important book, a compelling history...." Read more

"Fun read and historically enlightening." Read more

17 customers mention "Writing quality"15 positive2 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read, with one customer noting how the author masterfully crafts the little-known aspects of the subject matter.

"Well written, not pedantic, good pacing, very informative...." Read more

"...The author does an excellent job identifying the reasons why this era of Mexican/Chicano history is actually central to the historical development..." Read more

"The book was well written by the author. I found the book interesting as I didn't know about what happened." Read more

"...the book (particularly the latter chapters) as it provides a good description of the role of the magonistas in triggering the Mexican Revolution as..." Read more

14 customers mention "Information quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-researched, with one customer specifically highlighting its detailed coverage of the impact of Flores Magon.

"Well written, not pedantic, good pacing, very informative...." Read more

"Great book chronicling the impact of Flores Magon and the PLM movement on the Mexican Revolution...." Read more

"...Bad Mexicans" is an incredibly important book, a compelling history...." Read more

"Gives you history not covered and is well researched and written." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one review noting how it describes various leaders in intense detail.

"...context, and telling it with brilliant imagery, a novelist’s understanding God of character, and a cinematic understanding of plot...." Read more

"...For Texans especially, “Bad Mexicans” covers events and mentions characters that were pivotal to our great States Inception...." Read more

"An enthralling and gripping tale of the human drama and clash of personalities in the long saga of how the Diaz dictatorship was brought down by..." Read more

"...The writer uses a very engaging narrative and describes in intense detail the various leaders involved and numerous activities culminating in the..." Read more

Great Read!
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If you want to more about Mexican History, This book gives you the layer of history you’ve been missing.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Larry Birney
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent . . . Revolutionary fervor that pushes Vlamir Lenin off his Swiss couch.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A must for anyone curious about Mexican history and the border brouhaha . . . This book chronicles a small, dedicated cadre of revolutionary idealists following their dream of returning Mexico's vast agrarian resources back to the campesinos from whom the Mexican government stole the land.

    In many cases turning the land over to wealthy American financiers for railroads and agriculture. Led by Ricardo Magón the magónistas pursued their goal even in the face of ruthless pressure and the complete cooperation of the American judicial system
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  • LimaBN
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb history - should be required for American History (on the US side...)
    Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Well written, not pedantic, good pacing, very informative. I've given my copy to neighbors whose country of origin is Mexico and whose children are just as ignorant as I was about the intertwined history of our two
    countries. Another copy to the young adult stepchild of a client. 20 years old and she had no idea whatsoever of how interesting and vital this story is. Well worth the read, and it sparks the interest of Millennials and GenZs in history itself. (Yippee!)
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Unless76
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great book to read; steer clear of the audio book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Five stars for the actual book, three stars for the audio version.
    Dr Lytle Hernández’s book is interesting and very accessible. Her scholarship on Ricardo Flores Magón and the Magonistas fills in an important gap about the Mexican Revolution (in English texts) and helps communicate more clearly the relevance of the revolution to the US and its people—not just for Mexicans or Mexican Americans.
    My one complaint is that the audio book (bought the text, listening to the book on Sp*tify) is hard to listen to. The reader’s voice sounds like over-annunciating AI, and her Spanish pronunciation is dreadful. Every time Ms García (the reader) stumbles through a Spanish word, a Mexican surname or place name, I cringe and get distracted and have to rewind. It reminds just because someone has a Spanish surname doesn’t mean they speak Spanish well (or at all). I wish WW Norton would have chosen someone else to read the audio book.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Bruce Watson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for understanding, America, Mexico, and capitalism.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is how history should be done, finding a story almost no one knows, setting it in a larger context, and telling it with brilliant imagery, a novelist’s understanding God of character, and a cinematic understanding of plot. I’ve read a jillion history books, and written a few, but this was all new to me. And vital to know.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Gilberto Minero Jr.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great book chronicling the impact of Flores Magon and the PLM movement on the Mexican Revolution. It is not often that we get to read about other players/movements leading up to the Mexican Revolution. Highly recommended.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • bix
    3.0 out of 5 stars Some questionable history
    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The author spent a little too much time inside the mind of Ricardo Flores Magon and made some suppositions. RFM was extremely influential from 1900 to 1907, both in Mexico and in the Unites States -- but he went to prison in 1907 and when he emerged in 1910, the parade had more or less passed him by. I have a problem with everything attributed to the "magonistas" after that period. Also, to remain in the game, RFM had to expand his audience to include the entire left wing community in the United States at the time. The US government did launch its own agencies against RFM on behalf of the Diaz government, and the US government was largely responsible for the over throw of the Madero regime -- but then Wilson chose Carranza, who was adept at using anti-magonista propaganda as a tactic.
    17 people found this helpful
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  • Patrick Velasquez
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, compelling history!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    One reason I bought this book is because I met the author when she was an undergraduate student. "Bad Mexicans" is an incredibly important book, a compelling history. The author does an excellent job identifying the reasons why this era of Mexican/Chicano history is actually central to the historical development of the United States. I enjoy history so for me, this book was hard to put down. I'm not sure if our polarized, ignorant society is ready for it, but this book should be a movie of a television series that emphasizes the importance of Chicano history.
    15 people found this helpful
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  • heidi scarletta
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting history
    Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    The book was well written by the author. I found the book interesting as I didn't know about what happened.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    👍👍 Awesome!! Great history of the PLM and the actors and conditions that staged the Mexican Revolution. Detailed descriptions of the first raids by PLM fighters are intense! Thank you!
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  • Nilsowhat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Mexico on June 30, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Really tells the history of pre revolution to the Diaz government.
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  • Xavier
    3.0 out of 5 stars Investigación importante con errores garrafales
    Reviewed in Mexico on March 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Es increíble que una labor de investigación histórica contenga errores que pueden invalidar su veracidad. Por ejemplo, referirse al iniciador de la independencia de México como Manuel Hidalgo en lugar de Miguel Hidalgo es como llamar a George Washington, Joe Washington. Una pena que la importante labor que emprendió la historiadora (y que ya le reportó un premio en USA), tenga esos descuidos. Hay otros errores, pero solo menciono el más vergonzante. La editorial debería corregirlos si llega a haber futuras ediciones. Los opositores a su visión, aprovecharán este traspiés para demeritar su trabajo.
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  • Eric the bee
    2.0 out of 5 stars Audible is horrendous, absolutely attrocious.
    Reviewed in Mexico on August 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The reader has NO idea of Spanish pronunciation, even her English pronunciation is doubtful with some words.
    Can not understand how audible can get such an attrocious reader. She can not even pronounce the Mexican state names correctly, and since there are many Spanish/Mexican names, and expressions..all badly pronounced, even one of the principal protagonists Porfirio Diaz. She frequently mispronounces as Porfiro Diez or Dios.
    Absolutely attrocious!! Who imagined getting a reader with such exceptionally poor reading skills.
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