What else does NAFTA mean for the future of U.S. businesses? In "Inevitable Partnership: Understanding Mexico-U.S. Relations," author Clint E. Smith tackles the tough questions facing these neighbors in an often strained relationship.Were it by little-known facts alone, Smith's work would fascinate. He reminds us, for example, that by 1853 one-half of what used to be Mexico had become one-third of what is now the United States. But beyond the numbers, he brings the history of Mexican politics to life. No one better portrays the "somewhat grotesque crowning of the Emperor of the Cactus Throne in 1822" or the raucous ride of the Silinas presidency!Turning to the growing web of interconnections between the United States and Mexico, Smith contends that drug trafficking is likely to continue; that the cross-border labor wars promise only to intensify in the future; and that increasing interdependence has been-and may continue to be-a mixed blessing. Combining academic mastery with spirited prose, he brings a breadth of knowledge to "Inevitable Partnership" that makes it a must for anyone interested in this dynamic relationship.

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