"Thompson's book provides not only a powerfully written history of a Mexican American who symbolizes 'resistance to oppression and intolerance,' but also a clear, cogent explanation of the relationship between the United States and Mexico as they face each other across the Texas border."--Journal of American History "Jerry Thompson has produced the definitive work on one of the most controversial and influential Mexicano/Tejano figures of Texas and Southwestern history . . . . With stunning clarity and balance, Thompson has provided a much-needed narrative interpretation that brings to life one of the more colorful figures of Texas, Border, and Chicano histories."--Hispanic Outlook "Jerry Thompson has performed a difficult feat: comprehensively examining a life that had almost as many turns as a circle."--Journal of Southern History "This is the most well-researched and thorough account of Juan Nepomuceno Cortina's life that we have. . . . This book certainly shows that Cortina 'established his niche in the grand sweep of time,' but it will be left to other scholars to follow the many trails hinted at by Thompson."--Western Historical Quarterly "Jerry Thompson's sympathetic but balanced biography is a 'must read' for all students of Texas history and Anglo-Hispanic relations."--East Texas Historical Journal