ldquoThompsonrsquos book provides not only a powerfully written history of a Mexican American who symbolizes lsquoresistance to oppression and intolerancersquo but also a clear cogent explanation of the relationship between the United States and Mexico as they face each other across the Texas borderrdquomdashJournal of American History ldquoJerry Thompson has produced the definitive work on one of the most controversial and influential MexicanoTejano 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 historiesrdquomdashHispanic Outlook ldquoJerry Thompson has performed a difficult feat comprehensively examining a life that had almost as many turns as a circlerdquomdashJournal of Southern History ldquoThis is the most well-researched and thorough account of Juan Nepomuceno Cortinarsquos life that we have This book certainly shows that Cortina lsquoestablished his niche in the grand sweep of timersquo but it will be left to other scholars to follow the many trails hinted at by ThompsonrdquomdashWestern Historical Quarterly ldquoJerry Thompsonrsquos sympathetic but balanced biography is a lsquomust readrsquo for all students of Texas history and Anglo-Hispanic relationsrdquomdashEast Texas Historical Journal.
