Ink under the Fingernails: Printing Politics in Nineteenth-Century Mexico

During Mexico's independence era, the printing press was a powerful tool used by individuals and factions to gain political power. Historian Corinna Zeltsman's book "Ink under the Fingernails" explores how printer interactions with state and religious authorities shaped broader debates about press freedom and authorship. It sheds new light on Mexico's histories of state formation and political culture, identifying printing shops as unexplored spaces of democratic practice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 08 June 2021
Publisher: University of California Press

In the vibrant era of Mexico's independence, individuals and factions from diverse backgrounds embraced the printing press as a formidable tool in their relentless pursuit of political power. Historian Corinna Zeltsman takes us on a captivating journey through the printing shops, government offices, courthouses, and bustling streets of Mexico City, unraveling the intricate negotiations and spirited discourses that shaped print's role over a century of political transformation. From the late colonial era to the Mexican Revolution, Zeltsman meticulously reconstructs the practical dynamics and intellectual battles that surrounded this powerful medium. By focusing on the diverse communities that toiled behind the scenes at urban presses, she delves into their social practices, aspirations, and the profound impact their interactions with state and religious authorities had on broader debates about press freedom and authorship.

Ink under the Fingernails is a masterpiece of historical scholarship, meticulously crafted and ambitiously broad in scope. It sheds new light on Mexico's rich histories of state formation and political culture, recognizing printing shops as unexplored spaces of democratic practice where the boundaries between manual and intellectual labor blurred. Zeltsman's work invites us to reimagine the role of print in shaping society and politics, highlighting its potential as a catalyst for social change and a platform for marginalized voices to be heard.

Through her meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Zeltsman has crafted a work that not only enriches our understanding of Mexico's past but also offers valuable insights into the ongoing struggles for press freedom and intellectual autonomy in contemporary societies. Ink under the Fingernails is a testament to the power of history to illuminate the present and inspire a brighter future.

Weight: 635g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520344334