PDF Six Months in Mexico annotated Nellie Bly 9781519288578 Books
Download As PDF : Six Months in Mexico annotated Nellie Bly 9781519288578 Books
Six Months in Mexico is a classic Mexican travelogue by Nellie Bly. ONE wintry night I bade my few journalistic friends adieu, and, accompanied by my mother, started on my way to Mexico. Only a few months previous I had become a newspaper woman. I was too impatient to work along at the usual duties assigned women on newspapers, so I conceived the idea of going away as a correspondent. Six Months in Mexico is a book by Nellie Bly that she wrote after her travels through Mexico in about 1885. She took the initiative to work as a foreign correspondent at the age of 21. At that point she had been writing for the newspaper The Dispatch, but had become dissatisfied with having to write for the women's pages. In the book she describes the lives and customs of the people of Mexico and the poverty of the common people. She was struck by the widespread addiction to playing the lottery, noting that people would even pawn their clothes in order to buy tickets. She also described courtship, wedding ceremonies, the popularity of tobacco smoking, the legend of the maguey plant from which pulque and mezcal were made, and the habits of the soldiers, including an early mention of their marijuana use "The soldiers have an herb named marijuana, which they roll into small cigaros and smoke. It produces intoxication which lasts for five days, and for that period they are in paradise. It has no ill after-effects, yet the use is forbidden by law. It is commonly used among prisoners. One cigaro is made, and the prisoners all sitting in a ring partake of it. The smoker takes a draw and blows the smoke into the mouth of the nearest man, he likewise gives it to another, and so on around the circle. One cigaro will intoxicate the whole lot for the length of five days.†(Page 158) [1] Bly returned to the United States after her reporting on the imprisonment of a journalist by dictator Porfirio DÃaz put her in danger of imprisonment herself. Bly later wrote a second travel book, Around the World in 72 Days, telling the story of her circumnavigation of the globe by ship and train.
PDF Six Months in Mexico annotated Nellie Bly 9781519288578 Books
"This book is for only one of two type of people, but if you're one, you must read it. First, it's for all Nellie Bly fans, and they probably don't need to be told.
Second, it's for anyone studying or otherwise interested in 19th Century Mexican History, be it for a PhD or any other reason.
For those folks, this is an absolutely fascinating look at a time and place by someone whose genius hadn't totally formed yet, but who nevertheless presents a penetrating look at this period in history.
For Bly fans like myself, this book should be as fascinating for its flaws as for its moments of genius. For instance, Bly all but believed an old wives tale about marijuana and claimed definitively that not only was it totally safe but that its effects went on for five days.
Clearly, she'd gone on to check such stories much more closely in further years.
Furthermore, much of what's interesting in the book is left to the imagination. She took her mother along on this trip as a chaperone but little is said beyond that. We can only imagine how all that worked out.
She also mentions that she nearly went to jail but only wiggled her way out of it with, "but by means of a little bravado I convinced them that I had the upper hand, and they left me unhurt."
We can only imagine what actually happened, but Bly would figure out how to cleverly figure out of such tight spots routinely in her career.
In conclusion, Nellie Bly fans should view this book as a sort of coming of age book for a journalist about to become a historical figure. For those studying 19th century Mexican hisotry, the Mexico described in this book deserves to make its way into the larger study of Mexican history during this time period."
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Six Months in Mexico annotated Nellie Bly 9781519288578 Books Reviews :
Six Months in Mexico annotated Nellie Bly 9781519288578 Books Reviews
- Nellie Bly was a good writer. I applaud her for committing to such an adventure. Although she may have given in to predominant American stereotypes of poor Mexicans at the time, her recorded memories still provide a unique street view of some parts of Mexico in 1885 or thereabouts. The modern reader may find fault with some of her words and thoughts, even though she was probably considered liberal in her time. As with any historical writing, you’ll be happier reading this through a late nineteenth century lens than a contemporary one.
- Good, but not brilliant. The essays/chapters are newspaper articles, published at intervals, so a bit repetitive. Also, it was among her first attempts at journalism. She improved, and this is not bad at all, mind you.
I was in Mexico ages ago, and some this seemed familiar, while other things had changed a lot. I had the iPad ready at hand while reading, checking up on history & people & places she mentions. - Nelly Bly is a true hero to anyone who enjoys true journalistic integrity. She presents a case of suffering of the Mexican people of this time, that is enlightening and helps explain the issues Mexico faces today.
- A very interesting take on Porfirian Mexico (late 1800s) through the eyes of a progressive, feminist journalist who was seeing the country and it's social, political, and cultural dynamics through fresh, perceptive eyes.
- This book is for only one of two type of people, but if you're one, you must read it. First, it's for all Nellie Bly fans, and they probably don't need to be told.
Second, it's for anyone studying or otherwise interested in 19th Century Mexican History, be it for a PhD or any other reason.
For those folks, this is an absolutely fascinating look at a time and place by someone whose genius hadn't totally formed yet, but who nevertheless presents a penetrating look at this period in history.
For Bly fans like myself, this book should be as fascinating for its flaws as for its moments of genius. For instance, Bly all but believed an old wives tale about marijuana and claimed definitively that not only was it totally safe but that its effects went on for five days.
Clearly, she'd gone on to check such stories much more closely in further years.
Furthermore, much of what's interesting in the book is left to the imagination. She took her mother along on this trip as a chaperone but little is said beyond that. We can only imagine how all that worked out.
She also mentions that she nearly went to jail but only wiggled her way out of it with, "but by means of a little bravado I convinced them that I had the upper hand, and they left me unhurt."
We can only imagine what actually happened, but Bly would figure out how to cleverly figure out of such tight spots routinely in her career.
In conclusion, Nellie Bly fans should view this book as a sort of coming of age book for a journalist about to become a historical figure. For those studying 19th century Mexican hisotry, the Mexico described in this book deserves to make its way into the larger study of Mexican history during this time period. - Great book if you have recently visited mexico city, I visited in the early 80s. Really not much has changed.
