Emphasizing present-day Chicanos, this book relates the "new life" of Mexican Americans throughout the United States but with particular reference to the Southwest. A view of Mexican American communities and their peoples' feelings about prejudice, education, and politics is presented. The book contains narrative sketches on individuals involved with the Mexican American community--including a social worker, a priest, an artist, and a teacher. Among the content headings are We Are Chicanos, Mexico Before the Conquest, If You Really Want To Do It, The Family Is Important, Doing Something That Counts, As We Work Together, Mexicans Become Americans, English vs. Spanish, A Helping Hand at School, A Proud Heritage, I Am Sure of Myself, Nosotros-We, A Leader for La Raza, The Doctrine of Nonviolence, Living off the Same Vine, We Were All Americans, Barriers Must Come Down, A New Thrust to the Future, and, Each One Is Needed. Included are a 13-item guide to further reading and a subject index. (MJB)