The Roman Catholic Church as a Factor in the Political and Social History of Mexico

Sacramento, CA: The Capital Press, 1928. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 188 pages. The pioneering Mexican American author's first book, an extended essay on the influence of the Catholic Church on Mexican political development. In this book, Galarza explains Mexican politics in the aftermath of the revolution by tracing the corrupting influence of the Catholic Church.

The book is notable for its clear prose and tone which is neither apologetic nor dogmatic. It marks the beginning of the author's long publishing career, which would span more than 50 years, as well as the start of his work as a Latin Americanist and historian. Galarza grew up in Sacramento and was orphaned by the influenza outbreak in 1918. An uncommon and important book by one of the few Mexican Americans who were published in the first half of the 20th Century. Remarkably widely held in institutions but quite scarce in commerce-this is the first copy we've handled in more than 15 years. First edition (first printing). Some glue residue on the front free endpaper from an old bookplate that has fallen off, else very good in the publisher's cloth. No dust jacket and your humble cataloguer has never seen one for this book.