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| The Devil's Highway: A True Story | 
 enlarge | Author: Luis Alberto Urrea
Publisher: Back Bay Books
Category: Book
List Price: $13.99
Buy New: $4.49
You Save: $9.50 (68%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (36 reviews)
Sales Rank: 8406
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 272
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9
ISBN: 0316010804
Dewey Decimal Number: 304.873072
EAN: 9780316010801
ASIN: 0316010804
Publication Date: September 19, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Amazing Account of an (Im)possible Journey January 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As a newcomer to literature (which now covers 2+ decades) on the history of immigrant border crossing between Mexico and Arizona, I found Urrea's account of the perils of the Devil's Highway absolutely spellbinding.
Though some have suggested that Urrea's Latino origin tends to bias this nonfiction account in favor of the immigrants, it was easy for me to look past in search of a better understanding of the human condition this unforgivable stretch of Arizona desert land succumbs its prisoners to.
The story of immigration, from its modern day mob bosses to its sleaze coyotes, all the way down to those who search a better life across the border, based on rumor or faith, is a fascinating one. You can't help but be drawn in by Urrea's writing and the plight of not just the immigrants, but the Border Patrol, who risk their lives daily in the name of justice.
Take the few hours required to read this book. No matter your position on immigration, you at least deserve to be informed of the who, how, and why of those that cross the Mexico/US border each day.
 Great subject and perspective, tarnished by bias and bad writing. November 26, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a distinctive case study of a politically charged, ambiguous border-crossing incident... one that is almost rendered coherent by the author, thanks to his impassioned reportage (you can almost see his tongue hanging out). The book is timely and entertaining and emotional, and undeniably instructive for anyone who wrestles morally with immigration issues. There is no shortage of astonishing anecdotes, most of which I even believe.
Despite these positive indicators, it's not a very good book. It would be a good 8,000-word article for Harper's, but as a 200+ page book it is severely padded. The verifiable facts are fairly thin, and the author's attempts to flesh them out (or obscure where they are thin) makes the book's pacing jerky and weird. The author is not sure whether to write in 'objective prose' or in 'native vernacular': the result makes for some laughable phrases (picture your great-grandmother asking you about your iPod). And while there are epiphanies to be had in stray sentences and paragraphs, and lots of strong opinions throughout, there is no concrete, consistent perspective to take from this book, and it's not clear that this author is suited to this style of writing. Which is a shame, considering the potential of its subject. I'm glad to have read about this incident, which deserves a better tour guide.
Devil's highway November 26, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I found this book to revile several things that I wasn't aware of. For example: There were studies taken by a University stating that each undocumented immigrate could cost the US an average of $55K but there was also another study done on all the state, and federal taxes undocumented works contribute to the US. That is an average profit of over 300 millions dollars. Which by the way they will not be able to claim. I must also say that this book is really heartbreaking. But the truth is told! The writter Luis Alberto did extensive research. I applaud him on a job well done!!!
The Devil's Highway - a must read! August 25, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As a long-time resident of Tucson I was fascinated and horrified by this book. I thought that I knew a lot about "entrants" and the problems of our southern border but this book really opened my eyes. Such a complicated issue!
The book is well-written, absorbing, amusing, informing and very readable. Anyone who is at all interested in our immigration and border policies, or who has an interest in the desert and borderlands, should by all means read this book! Or, read it just because you like a good (true) story.
Urrea's Masterful Narrative June 12, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Touching story about everyday life at the border.
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