In the grand tradition of Michener's sweeping sagas, where each title echoes the unique resonance of a place, Mexico unfolds as a vibrant tapestry of the nation's history. From the dawn of time up to the energetic bullfight fiesta of 1961, the novel guides readers through a rich past. It touches on ancient epochs, including a time over twenty millennia ago when intrepid Siberians journeyed across the icy Bering Strait, through Alaska, eventually settling in the sun-drenched lands of Mexico. By A.D. 600, the progeny of those early wanderers were erecting mighty pyramids that still cast their shadows over Toledo by 1961.

The story intricately weaves through the fierce battles among indigenous tribes, culminating in the dramatic conquest by the Spanish in the sixteenth century. Their legacy, etched in stone, takes form in the majestic cathedral that graces Toledo. While Michener provides a sweeping overview of this vibrant history, he skillfully highlights pivotal moments, particularly the fervent tides of the Mexican Revolution that swept through the early twentieth century.

Beyond merely narrating the chronicles of Mexico, Michener weaves the art of the bullfight as an integral motif within the novel's vibrant tapestry. Victoriano Leal, a bullfighter with roots steeped in Spanish lineage, embodies the European strands of Mexico's heritage. In contrast, Juan Gomez, born of Indian descent, stands as a symbol of the nation's indigenous legacy. The fierce rivalry between these two men, each carrying the weight of their diverse ancestries into the brutal arena of the bullfight, serves as a powerful allegory for the tumultuous history of conflicts among varied peoples, ultimately crafting the intricate cultural mosaic that is Mexico.