Midnight in Mexico

by Alfredo Corchado
Midnight in Mexico cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Investigative Journalism
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  • ID: 3712
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2026-02-21
  • ISBN: 9781101617830
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2013-05-30
  • Reviews: 4

In Midnight in Mexico, Alfredo Corchado, a noted Mexican American journalist, recounts his perilous journey reporting on the brutal drug war in Mexico. With more than eighty thousand lives lost in six years, Corchado's work is a testament to the courage required to expose government corruption and cartel violence. His personal story, rooted in his family's migration to the U.S. and his return to Mexico, adds a deeply human dimension to the broader narrative of Mexico's struggle for political accountability and justice. Corchado's investigation into a threat against his life leads him on a frantic search through the Mexican countryside, revealing the stark inequalities and injustices that persist in the country. The book also delves into the historical context of Mexico's political landscape, the rise of powerful cartels, and the devastating consequences of the drug war. Corchado's unwavering commitment to his craft and his country makes Midnight in Mexico a gripping tale of one man's quest for truth amidst unimaginable danger.

Reviews
kirkusreviews.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
mixed 3.00

The reviewer found the book well-written and informative, particularly praising the first half. However, they felt the book was overly long and repetitive, making it less engaging towards the end. The reviewer appreciated the psychological insights but found the economic aspects less compelling.

The reviewer enjoyed the book's exploration of human psychology and decision-making processes, particularly the distinction between System 1 and System 2 thinking. They appreciated the accessible writing style and the depth of research, which reinforced the scientific credibility of psychology. However, the reviewer found the book to be excessively long and repetitive, with Kahneman revisiting the same topics multiple times. This made the reading experience tedious, especially towards the end. The reviewer also noted that while the book is interesting and educational, it could have benefited from better pacing and a more concise presentation of its ideas. They compared it to another book on a similar topic, finding both complementary but noting that Kahneman's work is more dense and less suitable for casual readers.

Quick quotes

    The entire book is well-written and obviously the product of someone who knows their field.

    Kahneman spins an interesting tale of human psychology and the way our brains interpret and act on data.

    I suppose it’s also worth mentioning that this book reaffirms my supercilious disregard for economics.

theguardian.com · Unknown · 2013-12-28
fascinating 4.17

The book is praised for its comprehensive exploration of behavioral economics, offering insights into human decision-making and cognitive biases. Readers appreciate its depth and the way it challenges conventional thinking, though some find it dense and slow-paced.

Readers consistently highlight the book's profound impact on understanding human behavior and decision-making. The author's extensive research and clear explanations of complex concepts are particularly noted. Many appreciate how the book reveals the predictable ways we fool ourselves, making it a valuable tool for self-awareness and better decision-making. However, some readers find the book tedious and overly detailed, with a slow pace that can be challenging to follow. Despite this, the book is seen as a crucial read for anyone interested in behavioral economics, offering insights that can rearrange one's thinking about how we think.

Quick quotes

    This book is the Bruce Lee book of advanced self-defence. Learning just how we fool ourselves might not make you feel terribly great about what it means to be human

    but at least you will know why you hav stuffed up next time you do stuff up.

    The second most striking effect on me is the number of times I said, "Yes... YES!!! this is what I've been saying!

    An unrelentingly tedious book that can be summed up as follows. We are irrationally prone to jump to conclusions based on rule-of-thumb shortcuts to actual reasoning, and in reliance on bad evidence, even though we have the capacity to think our way to better conclusions.

Reading Avidly · 2013-07-28
great 3.50

The book is a good summer read, engaging and easy to get into. It's a book that might not have been picked up otherwise but proved to be enjoyable.

The reviewer found this book to be a good summer read, engaging and easy to get into. It's the kind of book that might not have been picked up otherwise but proved to be enjoyable. The narrative is compelling, and the author's personal experiences add depth to the story. It's a book that offers both entertainment and insight, making it a worthwhile read. The reviewer appreciates the author's ability to convey complex ideas in an engaging way.

Quick quotes

    All in all, though, the book was a good summer read.

    One I probably wouldn't have picked up had it not been beach read season.

    One that I'm glad I did.

SFGate · 2013-06-17
excellent 4.00

The narrative is fast-paced and engaging, with a sense of urgency. The background on the political and social issues in Mexico is both informative and fascinating.

The reviewer finds the book's narrative to be fast-paced and engaging, with a sense of urgency that keeps the reader hooked. The background on the political and social issues in Mexico is both informative and fascinating, providing a deeper understanding of the context. The author's personal experiences add a layer of authenticity to the story. Overall, it's a compelling read that sheds light on important issues.

Quick quotes

    Corchado presents a Jack Bauer-style narrative in which he has 24 hours to find out who wants to kill him.

    In the process, he presents a comprehensive view of the political and social issues in Mexico.

    The author's personal experiences add a layer of authenticity to the story.

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