Mexico is a country of contrasts, bathed in sunlight yet stained by violence. As a full partner in the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), it is lurching toward the 21st century. Ostensibly a 'democracy' like its partners in NAFTA, political corruption and violence, directed at opponents of the ruling party, and the government are rife. At the same time, its music, art and religious customs reflect the values and culture that are Mexico's heritage.

Mexico: Dead or Alive is the story of politics and human rights in modern day Mexico through the eyes and experiences of one man, Dr. Mario Rojas Alba. A physician and former member of the Mexican Congress for the opposition PRD party, Dr. Rojas fled his native land after being brutally attacked over inquiries he launched into political murders committed by local police in the state Morelos. In Mexico: Dead or Alive, Dr. Rojas makes a tentative trip home to consider the possibility of his eventual return, and to reaffirm his commitment to a peaceful transition toward true democracy.

For the relatives and victims of political violence, the traditional Day of the Dead rituals are now overlaid with memorial services for those whose opposition to the ruling PRI party has cost them their lives. Dr. Rojas acts as guide and witness to the conflict between the government and the people's demands for justice and reform, while struggling with his own position as an exile from the country he loves.

"Explains the complexities of the Mexican movement towards democracy ... recommended for any course work covering Mexican culture, history, or current events"MC Journal: the Journal of Academic Media Librarianship