Stories That Make History

“Stories That Make History brings us one of Mexico's most admired anthropologists examining the impact of one of Mexico's most prominent public intellectuals. A cross between Susan Sontag and Joan Didion, Elena Poniatowska has been one of the central chroniclers of Mexican social, cultural, and political life. Lynn Stephen shows us the powerful influence Poniatowska has had in shaping our understanding of modern Mexican history.” - Jocelyn Olcott, Professor of History, Duke University

“The fortuitous pairing of perhaps Mexico's most beloved, enduring, and influential writer with one of its most prolific and accomplished international scholars of social and cultural movements gives rise to an extraordinary collaboration. This engrossing volume will be required reading for anyone seriously interested in Mexican journalism and literature, history and history-making, and the formation of social memory.” - Gilbert M. Joseph, coeditor of The Mexico Reader: History, Culture, Politics

"Stephen enriches each chapter with extensive interviews with Poniatowska (whom she describes as a good friend) and the writer’s close associates. . . .  Setting aside the skepticism characteristic of postmodern social science, Stephen wholeheartedly embraces Poniatowska’s engaged and immersive style of reporting and its contributions to building a 'strategic emotional political community' of social justice advocates who identify with the victims of Mexican history." - Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs

"Stephen illustrates Poniatowska’s unique position of being both a participant and an activist, a duality present in her crónicas, which has placed her in a position of privilege, one she uses to critically inform her predominantly working-class readers. As an accomplished author and public intellectual, la Poni’s firsthand accounts of important historical events in Mexican history fill a lacuna in which state-sponsored violence or government neglect were the official and inadequate responses. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals." - C. A. Hernandez, Choice

"Stories That Make History will appeal to anthropologists, sociologists, historians of Latin America and, in terms of use in the classroom, it would work well with fourth year undergraduate students and graduate students more broadly." - María L. O. Muñoz, Canadian Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Studies

"Stories that Make History is a book overflowing with people and key moments which, thanks to Stephen’s compelling prose and range of references to individuals and key historical moments, makes a strong case for the power of narrative. It showcases the significance of Poniatowska as someone who has spent a lifetime at the forefront of exploring ethical approaches to the telling and performing of stories." - Niamh Thornton, Modern Language Review

"Stephen draws on a wealth of knowledge about Mexico and a long-standing relationship with Elena Poniatowska to produce this richly detailed insight into the life and work of one of Mexico’s most prominent public intellectuals." - Sarah E. L. Bowskill, Bulletin of Spanish Studies