First Stop in the New World: Exploring Mexico City

David Lida's First Stop in the New World is a wonderfully-written look at modern Mexico City, a city he loves not in spite of its paradoxes but because of them. Having lived as an ex-pat in DF since 1990, Lida provides great insight into the culture and its idiosyncrasies from a somewhat outsider's perspective. It's clear that Lida is a journalist always looking for an interesting angle from which to explore the great city, providing tidbits that are unique to DF.

The focus of the book is Mexico City, although Lida posits that the city is emblematic of 21st century cities like Bejing and Mumbai, that were formed out necessity and economic booms that brought people from the countrysides for economic opportunities, without much thought for controlled city planning typical of first world cities.