xvi |  Preface
reference entries throughout the text. These appendices include a series of fictionalized
vignettes on what a typical day might look like for different Mexican citizens, a glossary
of key terms that one will regularly hear mentioned in studies of Mexico, a collection of
tables that present facts and figures about Mexico in list format or statistical compos-
ites, and a fairly comprehensive bibliography for anyone interested in additional read-
ing. Finally, interspersed throughout the volume, there are a number of informational
sidebars that present in an abbreviated format some additional glimpses into other in-
teresting aspects of the country.
At the end of each entry within each chapter, I have tried to provide at least a couple
of supplemental suggested readings, so that the reader will have a broader context for
the subject of the entry. But I would like to emphasize that this volume is just a sam-
pling of what could have been included in the study of such a historically rich and fas-
cinating country. I am fully aware that I have left some references out, and I have no
doubt that another author would have made different choices; but I have tried to iden-
tify and highlight what I thought were the more important or better-known topics to
consider, and ones that would be more broadly representative of the chapter theme.
Occasionally, I attempted to include some unexpected choices, just to give voice to
subjects on the margins of the overall theme that are often overlooked in general ency-
clopedic reference texts.
I would like to thank all my students, colleagues, family, and friends who often sat
through conversations with me as I pondered and debated an entry topic, and who
even sometimes gave me material to work with. I am dedicating this text to them. I
would also like to thank my editorial team at ABC-CLIO who were incredibly patient
with me as I worked through this project, especially Kaitlin Ciarmiello and Erin Ryan,
who gave me nothing but encouragement and good advice throughout the process
(and an occasional pep talk and nudge), even when perhaps I deserved less. While I
owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who took the journey of this project with me and
gave me feedback, insight, and encouragement along the way, any errors in this text are
never theirs, and always mine. Finally, I must thank Mexico, which has given me so
much. I hope I did justice by you.
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