Davidow Goes Off the Record in 'El Oso y El Puercoespin'.

One of the most popular items on gift lists throughout Mexico during the recent holidays was the new book authored by former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Jeffrey Davidow. Entitled "El Oso y El Puercoespin" ("The Bear and the Porcupine"), Davidow's book is an insider's take on contemporary Mexico-U.S. relations, with a special emphasis on what went on behind the political scenes during his term as ambassador.

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Davidow's narrative covers his tenure atop the U.S. embassy in Mexico City from 1998 through 2002. During that time, Mexico saw its ruling party defeated for the first time in seven decades, and the White House changed from Democratic to Republican management. New policymakers with fundamentally different outlooks on the nature of the complicated relationship between the two countries exploded to the fore.

Ever the history student, the former ambassador provides his readers with a deeper understanding of the contemporary bilateral relationship by tracing the evolution of current thought and policy through the filters of historical development.

Especially interesting are Davidow's personal observations about important political and foreign policy players on both sides of the border, including former foreign relations secretaries Jorge Castaneda and Madeleine Albright as well as attorneys general Jorge Madrazo and Janet Reno. Almost every page contains insightful comments from political heavyweights.

Available only in Spanish, "El Oso y El Puercoespin" is a must read for anyone interested in getting a more detailed understanding of some of the most important issues in bilateral relations over the last few years.