Edward James Olmos Books

I am on the Debate and Forensics Team at my high school and I have seen "The LA LA Awards" performed many times. I love the characters and the script and I plan on performing this piece at a tournament soon. It ROCKS!

Latin's Anonymous, a collaborative project, was the beginning of Rick Najera's playwriting career culminating with THE PAIN OF THE MACHO, his most most recent book. In this are signs of the making of a genius in years to come-- from his Mexican-American-split-personality character to SEPERATE TURF, a sketch on the plight of Puerto Rican and Chicano actors vying for small roles. Rick Najera shows that he is a cunning satyrist, dealing with the world of duel identity. Recently, I had the oppurtunity to view this work live at the Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago. It was as fresh today as when he created it a few years ago. Insightful, concise, and brave. Rick Najera pulls no punches as he deconstructs the Latino experience in America. He takes stereotypes, sets them up, then knocks them down. From an ex-member of Menudo, to a border guard in PAIN OF THE MACHO, Rick Najera takes latinos and shows them to be complex human beings.

Latin's Anonymous, a collaborative project, was the beginning of Rick Najera's playwriting career culminating with THE PAIN OF THE MACHO, his most most recent book. In this are signs of the making of a genius in years to come-- from his Mexican-American-split-personality character to SEPERATE TURF, a sketch on the plight of Puerto Rican and Chicano actors vying for small roles. Rick Najera shows that he is a cunning satyrist, dealing with the world of duel identity. Recently, I had the oppurtunity to view this work live at the Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago. It was as fresh today as when he created it a few years ago. Insightful, concise, and brave. Rick Najera pulls no punches as he deconstructs the Latino experience in America. He takes stereotypes, sets them up, then knocks them down. From an ex-member of Menudo, to a border guard in PAIN OF THE MACHO, Rick Najera takes latinos and shows them to be complex human beings.

we need more hispanics leaders like him

Most of "Vietnam Veteranos: Chicanos Recall the War," by Lea Ybarra, consists of personal testimonies of veterans. In the preface it is noted that the book is drawn from "interviews with Chicano Vietnam veterans from all branches of the service and from many backgrounds and geographic areas." The author further notes that the service dates of the veterans in the book range from 1965 to 1972. The interviewees represent many different jobs, including helicopter gunner, airborne infantryman, radio equipment operator, infantry company commander, medical corpsman, machine gunner, and forward observer. The book also features a foreword by Edward James Olmos.

The main text is divided into three main sections: an introductory section, a second section containing the veterans' oral histories, and a concluding section entitled "Overview of Issues Discussed by the Veterans." The second section (pages 13 to 206) is the largest; the oral testimonies are grouped under the following thematic headings: "Idealism, Patriotism, and Politics"; "A Matter of Conscience," which focuses on the experiences of conscientious objectors; "Psychological and Medical Issues in the Aftermath of Vietnam"; and "The Impact of War on Family." The testimonies raise many significant issues: concerns over Agent Orange, the impact of the antiwar movement, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the danger of "friendly fire," the depiction of the war in motion pictures, and more. A number of veterans note the irony that as Chicanos they physically resembled the Vietnamese. Also addressed is the vilification many veterans experienced upon their return home, and in particular their being labeled as "baby killers."

A number of the veterans discuss atrocities committed in wartime, and there are accounts of grisly violence and horrific injuries. One testimony offers fascinating details about the process by which one is recognized as a conscientious objector. There is also a very moving testimony by a mother who lost her 22-year old son in the war, and a joint interview with a veteran and his wife. Another standout testimony creates a vivid portrait of the demanding role of a wartime casualty reporter. The veterans offer many different attitudes towards the war and their experiences, ranging from "I'd do it all over again" to "It was a waste of time"; one veteran simply, and eloquently, states, "I survived. I made it." This powerful and thought-provoking book is a valuable addition to Vietnam War studies.

The photographs were excellent -- just looking at them makes you want to know and like these people.

The narrative brought me up short. I'm one of those (apparently) rare individuals who believe American values aren't so bad that we should feel grateful to foreigners who come here and teach us how to live.

Most Americans feel a certain sense of good fortune for having been born in the United States. The narrative in this book leaves the impression that "Americanos" don't think America is so great, have no intention of "being assimilated" (in other words, becoming Americans), and feel they by rights already own the place anyway.

I'm no xenophobe, but this book left me with a strong bad impression. Maybe I should have given it 5 stars. Maybe it's a book every American ought to read carefully.

Edward James Olmos has done alot of WOnderful things in his career. and this Project is one of them.it's very Important to Show the World The Beauty of the Latino World.every culture deserves the right to be seen and heard at full Zenith.everybody wants a better Future and to Be Respected.This Book is very much like the book i have of African-AMericans in America the Many different shades of us and the many visions.it's important to Know the World around You.

After being honored with the presence of Mr. Olmos at the Penn State University this past November, I have only grown to respect what our culture has done and continues to do. This book exemplifies what we were, what we are, and what we are to become. I have only pride in my heart and a joy in my sould for what we have been capable of doing in this the United States of America. I hope that everyone has a chance to look at this book and, like I did, see themselves in these pages.

As the largest growing ethnic group in the United States, Latinos/Hispanics have made inroads in many fields due to their strength, organization, and family values. Although differences among Latinos are as common as differences in other groups distinguished by a common language root (e.g., Slavs, Arabs, Romance languages speakers, etc.) the common struggle of all nationalities that are found in this classification is the same: success.

Edited by one of the greatest activists and advocates for Latinos all around the world, actor Edward James Olmos, "Americanos: Latino Life in the United States" is a collection of beautiful photographs and stories of Latinos throughout the United States. From Mexican-Americans in California to Puerto Ricans in New York City, Olmos and a team of other editors have produced a book that perfectly and respectfully captures the beauty and realities of Latinos all around. Available in hardbound and paperback editions, "Americanos: Latino Life in the United States" is a must have for Latino/Hispanic Studies students/enthuasists or for anyone who tuly appreciates cultural photography. The book, which was accompanied by a U.S. museum tour of photographs featured in the book, is truly a milestone for a community that has risen from a long sleep and awakened to become the most dynamic and promising group in the Americas.

If I can use two words to describe this book, I would use "moving" and "beautiful." It's a must have book in your library, especially if you're Latino.

Esto es un libro hecho muy bien con el editation gráfico muy bueno hecho por Manuel Monterrey. Recomend I él.

This is a very well done book with very good graphical editation done by Manuel Monterrey. I recomend it.

This book was an intresting read, but I thought it could have focused more on general scholarships for all students, rather than scholarships for students who go to specific colleges.