The Buenavida America

About the Book

The Buenavida America continues to follow The Buenavida Dilemma and The Death of the Brown Americano by describing the trials and successes of the Buenavida family from 1900 to the present in New Mexico and the southwest in general. A central theme of the book is whether Hispanics must necessarily sacrifice their language and culture in order to fully assimilate and be successful in the U.S. society.

Praise for The Buenavida America

“Generational novels have that rare gift of granting the reader insights into one’s own past and future. José Uranga performs that task exceedingly well, adding the pleasant placement of the Buenavidas into meaningful historical context.”
—Paul A. García, Ph.D, University of Kansas, School of Education, retired

“Sharing a life story is not as easy as just telling a story. José Uranga does this with historical references and background that intrigue and educate.”
—Rebecca Dukes, Vice-President, University Advancement,
San José State University

“José Uranga does a fine job providing important food for thought in The Buenavida America and his book highlights poignant cultural threads imbedded in the history of New Mexico. The fictional yet historical based ‘testimonios’ illustrated by the Buenavida family shed light on the complexities, challenges, and victories Hispanics experience while traversing identity in present day America.”
—Maria Martínez Bain, Ph.D,
New Mexico State University

About the Author

Jose N. Uranga is a retired environmental attorney. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from New Mexico State U a Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown University, and a masters degree from the University of Texas, San Antonio. He has previously published two other books, The Buenavida Dilemma and The Death of the Brown Americano. He and his wife Joan live in Sarasota, Florida.