Mexico Under Fox, by Luis Rubio and Susan Kaufman Purcell, eds.: This book compiles six articles that consider Mexico's peaceful transition to a democracy with the election of Vicente Fox in 2000 and examines the personal, political, social and economic effects not only on domestic policy but also international policy.

Rubio, president of the Center of Research for Development of Mexico, pens the opening article about the cultural implications of Fox's upset victory over the Partido Revolucionario Institucional and its effect on democracy worldwide. Following essays detail Fox's economic agenda, and U.S.-Mexico relations from each nation's viewpoint. ($16.95, Lynne Rienner Publishers, paperback, 170 pp.)

José Clemente Orozco: Graphic Works by Clemente Orozco and José Clemente Orozco: This compilation of images from Mexican painter and muralist Orozco (1883-1949) documents his finest work. A first-hand biography of the man behind the work is provided by his son Clemente Orozco, who offers details about the evolution of Orozco's technique and artistic philosophy.

In addition to his world-renowned work in painting, Orozco was also a printmaker, architectural draftsman, caricaturist and a portraitist. His lithographs, etchings, preliminary studies and unfinished pieces are reproduced, accompanied by catalog entries recording the date, title of the work and printing history.

This collection of Orozco's works is testament to the artist's craftsmanship and distinctive creative style. ($27.17, University of Texas Press, hardcover, 141 pp.)

La Cucaracha, by Lalo Alcaraz: The popular cartoon cockroach who made his first debut in the L.A. Weekly in 1992 is back in this collection of the comic strip featured in 60 newspapers around the nation. Mexican-American Alcaraz uses his unruly insect protagonist as a cuttingly satirical voice to Hispanic culture. The cockroach is an intentional jab at the racial epitaph, a defiant attempt to reclaim an identity. Alcaraz himself says "a lot of people get on me for criticizing Latinos, but I always say I do it because I care."

Alcaraz delights in highlighting the world as seen through the eyes of a Chicano. One strip depicts a man in a bar blaming the United States' problems on "too many immigrants pouring in." Overhearing the comment, the bartender says, "Hey buddy, I'm an immigrant, and guess what? I'm not pouring."

The cultural commentary underlying Alcaraz's take on Chicano culture is so to-the-point that the audience can't help but laugh at the humor in the situation. ($8.76, Andrew McNeel Publishing, paperback, 128 pp.)

If you have a recently released book or CD you would like included in New Sounds or New Reads, send a copy to Fresia Rodriquez, Editor, Hispanic Link, 1420 N St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20005-2895. (202) 234-0280. E-mail: Fresia@hispaniclink.org