Notable Latino Americans: A Biographical Dictionary FROM THE PUBLISHER
U.S. Latinos have made important contributions to American society, and this biographical dictionary is devoted to celebrating those contributions. All 127 men and women profiled in this work have immigrated to or been born in the United States and have made major contributions to American life and culture. Cuban Americans, Puerto Ricans, Mexican Americans, and others of Spanish, South American, Central American and Caribbean heritage--more than one-third of them women--represent 35 fields of endeavor and all 50 states. From historical figures to the newest sports champion, figure-skater Rudy Galindo, this work provides profiles of both prominent and important but less-familiar people who have made significant contributions in their fields. Many of those profiled can be found in no other biographical source. A selection of photos complements the text.
SYNOPSIS
A biographical dictionary devoted to the accomplishments of American men and women of Latino heritage.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
Well known for his many reference and academic publications concerning Mexican Americans, Meier (North from Mexico, Greenwood, 1990) here offers 127 biographies of men and women of Latino descent who were born in or immigrated to the United States and have made a noteworthy impact. The majority of those profiled are writers, sports figures, actors, or political activists, though some lesser-known personalities in the sciences, education, and the arts are also included. The entries average three pages and generally include a picture and a short bibliography of additional sources. Publications like Richard and Rafael Chabran's The Latino Encyclopedia (Marshall Cavendish, 1995. 6 vols.) provide greater coverage for university and research libraries, but this volume will be of value to public, school, and undergraduate libraries.Mark L. Grover, Brigham Young Univ., Provo, Ut.
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up--Profiles of 127 people who have made important contributions to American society. Included are politicians, writers, musicians, educators, social activists, scientists, and actors--such familiar personalities as Cesar Chavez, Roberto Clemente, Jaime Escalante, and Linda Ronstadt, as well as less-familiar individuals such as author Reinaldo Arenas and Coca-Cola Company CEO Roberto Goizueta. While many Latino heritages are represented, the majority of those included are Mexican American, with Cuban Americans and Puerto Rican Americans the next most-represented groups. The three-to-four page biographies are clear and detailed and often give real insight into the person's life's work. While the focus is on the individual's main field of accomplishment, the authors do not shy away from the personal or controversial. A brief listing of articles and books in English and Spanish follows each entry. Black-and-white portraits, mostly photographs, accompany 27 of the entries. The coverage, especially of contemporary figures, is good. Nevertheless, one can still lament the omission of individuals such as librarian and folklorist Pura Belpre, authors Julia Alvarez and Gary Soto, artist Carmen Lomas Garza, and singer Selena. Appendixes categorize individuals by career and ethnic group. The general index is less useful; e.g., although astronaut Ellen Ochoa has a main entry, there is no listing in the index for either NASA or astronaut; and while there is an index entry for Nobel Prize, it does not refer to every occurrence of the term in the text--even references to Nobel Prize winners are missing. All but three of the women profiled here are also in Notable Hispanic American Women (Gale, 1993), but the broader scope and currency of this work make it a useful companion source. This book also complements Hispanic American Biography (UXL, 1995), which is similar in scope and depth without a significant amount of overlap.--Lauren Mayer, New York Public Library
Booknews
Profiles 127 U.S. Latinos who have made important historical or
recent contributions to American society. Cuban Americans, Puerto
Ricans, Mexican Americans, and others of Spanish, South American,
Central American and Caribbean heritagemore than one-third of
them womenrepresent all 50 states and 35 fields of endeavor,
including business, government, the performing arts, fine arts,
literature, education, social service, and sports.
Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
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