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

Truly fantastic!

I am using this book in a chicana/o literature program and it is by far my favorite book on the list. The author does a great job of narrating the story. This book is incredibly important, very well written, and a great listen. In spite of dealing with a horrible event, an event that is rendered with such a visceral realism that you feel you are dying in the dessert, it is still a well told, often funny, narrative. The story encompasses the complete experience of this boarder event and the people it involves. In fact, the empathy of the author for all who become involved is phenomenal. You get to know everyone in a very firsthand way: the boarder patrol, the immigrants, and the coyote. It is such an accomplishment.

Poetic journalism

The author is not a traditional non-fiction writer, and this book is better for it. This book is fierce, unflinching, heartbreaking -- and illuminating. The events described may be 20 years old, but the themes are timeless. Highly recommend.

Thankful that TheWall fixed the immigration crisis

I'm guessing that the people complaining about narration don't know any Mexican Americans from the southwest... The author reads with an authentic flair and it's wonderful to hear the accurate pronunciations and tone to some of the colloquialisms that are unique to the beige nightmare I call home.

Given the many changes to border politics and policy, I'd love to see an updated edition with those things addressed.

One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.

Having worked with undocumented Mexican workers in the US and having lived in Mexico, I was familiar with so much of this kind of story. So sad. Wonderful writer.

Great Book!

Recommend this book!
The storytelling, details, and overall journey are beautiful for such a sad story.
I read this entire book in one day...that's how amazing it is!

A Few Overall Themes:
Border Policies=The effects on humans
Border Patrol=BORSTAR=Improvements needed
Economic Reasons for crossing the border
Smugglers of Immigrants=Transnational Criminal Markets
Immigration Policy Recommendations

Take some time after reading the book to take a breather. The book was "heavy" with descriptive details that can lead a reader to "tear up."

Should be required reading for all citizens

If you don't live along the borderlands your view of illegal immigration are likely formed by whichever flavor of media you consume. That view is probably incomplete. Luis Urrea is without a doubt one of our best living writers and when he turns his focus to this non-fiction account of one group's harrowing journey across the Arizona border it is riveting. This is no political diatribe although you may close this book with your political views altered, or reinforced. If you've never read Urrea's books you're in for a treat - his compassion, humanity and humor even, are ever present. And his narration is perhaps the best author-read Audibles I've encountered. Oddly enough, as tragic as this story is I wouldn't call it a "downer" to experience - another credit to Urrea. Don't hesitate, just click "Add to Cart" right now.

Devil's Highway-A rude awakening for gringos

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, everyone should know the whole story of "illegal immigration" in order to understand the real struggle these humans endure.

What did you like best about this story?

The way the author illustrates the backgrounds that motivate the immigrants as well as how the author puts an empathetic face on the border patrol.

Have you listened to any of Luis Alberto Urrea’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you could give The Devil's Highway a new subtitle, what would it be?

The how and why of desperate people seeking "the American dream".

Excellent Reading

Would you consider the audio edition of The Devil's Highway to be better than the print version?

cannot answer since I have not seen print version

What did you like best about this story?

The way the people were descibed, the good the bad and the ugly.

Have you listened to any of Luis Alberto Urrea’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The truth of border crossings

Any additional comments?

I do not speak Spanish so some of the terminology used, I did not understand

Well researched and presented complex subject.

A humane and deep dive into more than just the one tragic event. The specifics of desert survival and death will stay with you.

Poetry

Listening listening to the author read his work sounds like poetry. He describes some rich and disturbing history.