Episode · Conversations with Tyler · 2026-03-25
Books mentioned on Paul Gillingham on Why Mexico Stays Together
Buy tickets for the live Conversations with Tyler recording with Craig Newmark at 92NY! Tyler calls Paul Gillingham's new book, Mexico: A 500-Year History, the single best introduction to the country's past—and one of the best nonfiction books of 2026.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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La muerte de Artemio Cruz
Discussed“It has to be La Muerte de Artemio Cruz, The Death of Artemio Cruz.”
Where to get it
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Decencia
Decencia by Álvaro Enrigue is a contemporary novel that offers a sharp, satirical, and culturally grounded look into Mexican society and politics.
Recommended“One is like a modern Muerte de Artemio Cruz; it’s called Decency, Decencia, which anybody who likes Mexican humor, likes Mexico City, will just get.”
Where to get it
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You Dreamed of Empires
You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue, translated by Natasha Wimmer, is a brilliant and unconventional novel offering a stunningly original reimagining of the Spanish conquest of Mexico as a glorified heist executed by a group of fortunate thugs.
Recommended“The other is You Dreamed of Empires in English, which is a retelling of the conquest as this glorified heist by a bunch of fortunate thugs, which I think most historians would agree with, and has some twists in it which are stunning.”
Where to get it
