The Devil's Highway

A True Story

By: Luis Alberto Urrea

Narrated by: Luis Alberto Urrea

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

This important book from a Pulitzer Prize finalist follows the brutal journey a group of men take to cross the Mexican border: "the single most compelling, lucid, and lyrical contemporary account of the absurdity of U.S. border policy" (The Atlantic).

In May 2001, a group of men attempted to cross the Mexican border into the desert of southern Arizona, through the deadliest region of the continent, the "Devil's Highway." Three years later, Luis Alberto Urrea wrote about what happened to them. The result was a national bestseller, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, a "book of the year" in multiple newspapers, and a work proclaimed as a modern American classic.

©2004 Luis Alberto Urrea (P)2011 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"The single most compelling, lucid, and lyrical contemporary account of the absurdity of U.S. border policy."—The Atlantic

"One of the great surrealistic tragedies of the global age...Urrea has crafted an impassioned and poetic exploration of the dark side of globalization, where commodities flow free and people die in the desert."—Jefferson Cowie, Chicago Tribune

"It makes what currently passes for our public debate over illegal immigration seem appallingly abstract and tin-eared. The Devil's Highway isn't just a great book, it's a necessary one."—Jeff Salamon, Austin American-Statesman

This book is a must read to understand the border.

I really enjoyed this book, it's heartbreaking that the Mexican government cares so little for its citizens, they are far more interested in lining their own pockets, it's extremely disheartening. I live in Arizona, a 5th generation native of this state of Mexican descent, since rise of the Cartels the lawlessness here in my home state is terrible I no longer feel it is safe to visit Mexico its sad.

The story that must be heard

This book is gut wrenching and heartbreaking to listen to, but it’s a story that must be told. It was a thrill and a privilege to read all of these brave migrants’s stories.

An Explanation of the Border Dilemma

This book gave me a completely new view of the border dilemma we are facing. I thought I had a good grasp of the problems but I did not. This is so well written and launches you instantly into the lives of these less fortunate individuals.

I cannot imagine trying to face life as they deal with these struggles on a daily basis. Life appears to be stacked against them. This was a scenario I had not considered before. But if I were under the same circumstances and struggles, I too would be willing to do whatever it took to at least have a chance for a better life.

Kudos to Luis Alberto Urrea for diving into this horrible scenario. I learned so many things I was not even aware that I hadn’t considered. I completely, whole-heartedly give this five stars. If there were 10 stars this is one of those books.

Highly recommended! An informative and capturing read

An amazing book on an important topic. Written like poetry. Not only does it paint the story of a group of men in their attempt to cross the boarder in a vivid description of their humanity and suffering; but it incorporates information about the wider issue of immigration on the southern boarder.

Fascinating insight into a complex issue

If the only thing you know about immigration or the US/Mexico border comes from cable news talking heads (like me) this is the book you need to give you a fresh perspective. The author takes both a deep and nuanced look at the issue from every perspective, including the immigrants, coyotes and border patrol and interrogates the complex forces that led to the tragedy at the heart of the book. A true story that reads like a horror novel, and yet is more than just a bleak look at how men die in the desert. A must read for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of what really happens at the border and why.

compelling

i read this for my bookclub. it w
as filled with information we would not otherwise come across in one place. i think it is important .

great listen

best part was Urrea using curse words in Spanish! love his books. worth listening

Not for the faint of heart

This was a depressing account of the dangers of illegal immigration from Mexico to the US. It does not portray a good light on border patrol which I found baffling. Maybe there are some bad apples but from what I read and see on TV news there are some officers that have put their own lives in danger to save immigrants from drowning in the Rio Grande. It was a tough listen but it did open my eyes to the many dangers that these desperate people are willing to endure. Narration was excellent.

100% Recommend

Was worried that this would be an emotionally exhaustive book but the author does an amazing job and giving information and details about the migrates journey that is sometimes light hearted but also sad, frustrating, and heartbreaking.

Just to make a new life

What a great, welll written and detail story if the life people come to be free and serve others.