Revolvers and Pistolas, Vaqueros and Caballeros: Debunking the Old West

(Hardback)

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Description

This riveting expos reveals how a distorted belief in Anglo superiority necessitated the rewriting of American western history, replacing heroic images of Mexican and Spanish cowboys with negative stereotypes. Early Anglo settlers in the Old West crafted negative images of Latinos in part to help justify the takeover of land occupied by Mexicans and Spaniards at the time. Unfortunately, these depictions were perpetuated throughout the 20th century in art, popular culture, and media eventually reshaping the narrative of the American West to the exclusion of the non-Anglo people. This book contrasts dominant lore with historical reality to provide a broad overview of the history and contributions of Latinos in the Old West. Author D. H. Figueredo sets out to debunk the myths and falsehoods of the American West by chronicling the cultural perceptions that led to such historical inaccuracies. Through spellbinding accounts, chapters address such topics as the legends behind the caballeros, Mexican culture in the Old West, and the search for cities of gold in the Southwest. Arranged chronologically and thematically, the book examines how popular culture diminished the role of the Mexican vaqueros and illustrates how the image of the Anglo cowboy became the iconic symbol of the Old West.

Reviews

Though written in accesible language and in a style that keeps the reader on the edge of the seat, Figueredo's book should please demanding academics. * La Voz *
Author D.H. Figueredo compares historical facts with the Hollywood images of the 'Wild West' to explore the ways that Mexican vaqueros and their contributions were replaced with Anglo-centric narratives. The book address topics such as The Black Legend, banditos, greasers, Zorro, and 'loose women' both thematically and chronologically in order to document the role of Latinos, including Spanish-Mexican Jews, in the conquest of the territory west of the Mississippi. * ProtoView *
In his richly researched book, Figueredo lays out how his lifelong interest in the subject [and] offers a scholarly approach and an entertaining read. * The Star-Ledger *

Author Bio

D. H. Figueredo is director of library and media services at Bloomfield College in New Jersey and an independent researcher and consultant on Latino studies.