About Dobie's Puro Mexicano

Puro Mexicano: Lore and Legends from South of the Border is now available as a free e-book at the UNT Digital Library and The Portal to Texas History.

The cream of a large collection of Mexican lore has been accumulated over many years, partly through contributions by lovers of the gente all over the Southwest and partly through editor J. Frank Dobie’s ramblings in northern Mexico. Tales make up the largest category; however, more realistic are the accounts of Mexican customs and sayings. Another type of popular expression is the corrido, or ballad, and the tall tale is well represented, too, especially in connection with two mighty folk-heroes, Juan Oso and Catorce.