Illegal immigration from Mexico to the United States has been a source of increasing controversy. Most of the information we hear from the mainstream media addresses issues of the economy, job availability and illegality from a macroscopic perspective. Luis Alberto Urrea’s book, “The Devil’s Highway,” offers a rare opportunity for us to put a face to the undocumented people who cross the deadly deserts of Arizona.

“The Devil’s Highway” is the true story of 26 Mexican men who attempted to illegally cross into Arizona in May 2001. After becoming lost, more than half the men baked to death in the searing desert. The dead became known as the Yuma 14.

Urrea tells the whole story of the ordeal, beginning with the criminal organization that recruited the “pollos” or undocumented immigrants, and ending with the aftermath of the deaths. He describes how human smugglers, “coyotes,” joined the criminal organization of the Cercas gang that led the 14 men to their deaths.

The reader learns about the personal lives of those involved. Instead of the impersonal information on illegal immigration that is heard in most media, we learn that these men were fathers, brothers and sons. Two of the 14 who died were father and son, and Urrea describes the father’s pain as he watched his son die. We read about the loved ones they left behind, and the tragic story of their motivation to create better lives for their families.

Urrea said he extensively researched the incident for a year in order to compile his story, investigated legal documents, taped interrogations and traveled to various locations such as Border Patrol stations and the Arizona desert itself.

Although the story is heavily researched, Urrea’s narration makes the book flow like a novel, taking the reader on a journey through the intricate details of “coyotes” and “pollos,” “tonks” and “cactus cops.” Instead of just stating facts in an organized manner, Urrea provides very detailed information about the people involved.

The reader learns Urrea does not judge any of the groups involved in the book as being right or wrong, or “good guy” and “bad guy.” He does a good job of staying neutral in his narration and focuses on instead on describing what happened. In a question-and-answer section in the back of the book, Urrea describes the different perspectives people have.

Depending on perspective, people view law enforcement, smugglers, undocumented, or the Border Patrol as the “bad guy.” He said he could not be prejudiced toward any of the groups in order to fairly present the story.

“I have to trust my readers to make up their own minds. Even if that means reaching decisions I didn’t intend for them to reach,” Urrea said in the question-and-answer section of the book.

Throughout the book, there is an underlying theme of supernatural forces and dark legends that surround the infamous Arizona deserts. Urrea makes references to heads laughing under the desert sand and devils “spitting insults” from under rocks, offering a glimpse of how the desert heat can drive dying border crossers insane.

A map in the front of the book shows the paths that the men followed, and provides date and time information. I found myself constantly flipping to the map while reading in order to better understand where they were located. This allowed me to get a good perspective on how disoriented and lost they were.

For those who are not familiar with heat-related death, after reading “The Devil’s Highway” you will come out with a new understanding of the power of the sun. The most memorable part in the book is when Urrea describes the six stages of heat-related death. With lines like “chunks of cooked meat are falling out of your organs” and descriptions of drinking urine and radiator fluid from abandoned vehicles, Urrea creates vivid images of how the Yuma 14 were literally cooked by the sun.

Once a year, Sacramento State faculty, students and community members select a book for the One Book program.

“The Devil’s Highway” is 2010’s One Book selection. The program creates an opportunity for students to connect with each other and discuss the issues involved in the selection.

Tzahuiztil Sanchez can be reached at [email protected]