Reding does a good job discussing human rights abuses and the struggle for democracy in Mexico. But he does a terrible job of discussing the underlying cause: U.S. foreign policy. America's self-interest in a "stable" Mexico meant unquestioning support for the murderous PRI. If the U.S. were really really interested in democracy in Mexico, it would have supported the students in 1968 -- when the Mexican Army opened fire killing hundreds. Why did the U.S. close rank with a murderous government and turn its back on the democratic hopes of the Mexican people? Because the PRI promised stability -- through oppressing human rights, through frustrating democracy. Reding turns a blind eye to our complicity in prolonging the road to democracy by three decades. Reding ignores American culpability in the ability of the Mexican state to oppress its own people. Shameful book.