Summary

Most “disaster utopias” do not last (135), but the one in Mexico City on September 19, 1985 did. In the wake of 10,000-20,000 people dead and 800,000 people left homeless, the survivors were able to form a strong union for garment workers and secure some lasting housing rights. The Mexico City earthquake was particularly devastating not just because of the quake itself but also because of substandard building materials and generally shoddy construction practices.

In addition, the earthquake brought to light the corruption at the heart of the Institutional Ruling Party (PRI). In the basement of the attorney general’s office were found several men who were tortured, and Attorney General Victoria Adato said only, “It’s absurd to suggest we tortured them. They had already confessed” (139). Mexican President Miguel de la Madrid was absent this entire time.

The Mexican citizens...