Electrifying Mexico: Technology and the Transformation of a Modern City

Diana J. Montano's book "Electrifying Mexico" was awarded the 2022 Alfred B. Thomas Book Award, the 2022 Bolton-Johnson Prize, the 2022 Best Book in Non-North American Urban History, the 2023 Honorable Mention, and the 2023 Best Book in the Humanities, Latin American Studies Association Mexico Section. It explores the role of electricity in Mexico's economic and political evolution, focusing on electrification at the social level and its contributions to a unique Mexican modernist political subjectivity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 12 September 2023
Publisher: University of Texas Press

The 2022 Alfred B. Thomas Book Award, presented by the Southeastern Council of Latin American Studies (SECOLAS), was awarded to Diana J. Montano for her book "Electrifying Mexico: Electricity, Modernity, and the Political Subject." This prize recognizes outstanding contributions to Latin American studies.

"Electrifying Mexico" explores the profound impact of electricity on Mexico's economic and political development, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The book delves into the country's efforts to harness hydroelectric power to meet its growing energy demands and transform itself into a scientifically enlightened empire of peace.

Montano's research highlights the ways in which electricity facilitated the emergence of new ideas about time and space, the body and the self, and the national and the foreign. It also sheds light on the complex ways in which electricity shaped issues of gender, race, and class in Mexico, often challenging traditional narratives and highlighting the unique experiences of marginalized communities.

One of the book's key strengths is its emphasis on a particular national culture of scientific progress and its contributions to a uniquely Mexican modernist political subjectivity. Montano argues that electricity played a crucial role in shaping the political imagination of Mexicans, helping to establish a sense of national identity and pride. It also facilitated the development of a network of scientists, engineers, and technicians who contributed to the country's economic and social development.

"Electrifying Mexico" is a valuable addition to the field of Latin American studies, offering a fresh perspective on the role of technology in shaping modern societies. It challenges traditional narratives of technological determinism and highlights the ways in which local contexts and cultural traditions can shape the adoption and use of new technologies.

In conclusion, "Electrifying Mexico" is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the complex and multifaceted relationship between electricity, modernity, and the political subject in Mexico. Diana J. Montano's meticulous research and insightful analysis make this book a must-read for anyone interested in Latin American history, politics, and technology.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781477328255