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Tequila Oil: Getting Lost in Mexico Paperback – March 4, 2010

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 68 ratings

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An account of Hugh Thomson's first wild adventure in Mexico at the age of 18 illustrates why it ignited his love for Latin America, and is then followed by his subsequent exploration 30 years later of the country, its people, and its history. Revealing a much more dangerous side of Mexico than that seen by package vacationers, this book takes the reader from the badlands of Chihuahua to the forests of the Yucatan. It ends deep in the Mexican jungle, face to face with one the most enigmatic and least understood cultures on the planet—the Maya—with a sense of humility at how little we still know about the pre-Columbian past. Similar to The Motorcycle Diaries, by throwing himself on the kindness, hospitality, and mercy of the Mexicans he met (or crashed into), Hugh was given an unusual and peculiarly vulnerable insight into Mexico. He returns many years later with a deeper understanding and the ability to explore the deep roots of pre-Columbian culture within Mexican life and to appreciate how much archaeologists have revealed about the Maya and the Aztecs in just the last few years.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thomson steers through a series of hair-raising encounters with wit, wisdom and an easy charm that makes you fall for the road trip—and Central America—at the same time."  —Times

"A riotous, tequila-soaked jaunt. . . . Thomson's Mexico is one of beauty, humor, and freedom, laced with a tantalising hint of danger." 
—Wanderlust

"Informative and absorbing, his adventures are balanced with historical accounts of the places he passes through. Would-be visitors . . . will find plenty to whet their appetite." 
—Financial Times

"A cracking travel yarn, a chemical-addled ramble through small-town Mexico, a land populated with pyramids, volcanoes, mosquitoes, and corrupt officials in equal measure." 
—BBC Top Gear Magazine

About the Author

Hugh Thomson's previous books include Nanda Devi, A Sacred Landscape: The Search for Ancient Peru, and The White Rock: An Exploration of the Inca Heartland. He is also an award-winning documentary filmmaker.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Phoenix; Illustrated edition (March 4, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0753826941
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0753826942
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.7 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 68 ratings

About the author

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Hugh Thomson
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Hugh Thomson believes strongly that the world is not as explored as we like to suppose.  

“Everywhere Thomson goes, he finds good stories to tell.” New York Times Book Review.

He has written about the wilder corners of the planet, from the edges of Peru to the Himalayas, looking for Inca ruins and lost cultures. Geographical commented that 'he is a writer who explores and not an explorer who writes.'

In 2012 Random House published 'The Green Road into the Trees: An Exploration of England', in which Hugh for the first time wrote about his own country, an account of a journey along prehistoric trackways. 'An immensely enjoyable book: curious, articulate, intellectually playful and savagely candid', The Spectator. This won the first Wainwright Prize for Travel Writing.

He then proceeded to have 'a South American adventure in England' by taking a pack animal from one side of the country to the other for 'One Man and a Mule' in 2017.

His previous books include 'The White Rock' and 'Cochineal Red', both acclaimed explorations of ancient Peru, along with 'Nanda Devi', a book about the Himalaya (all Weidenfeld & Nicolson) He has collected some of his favourite places in the lavishly illustrated '50 Wonders of the World'. He also edited and introduced what has become the standard edition of Hiram Bingham's 'Lost City of the Incas'.

'Tequila Oil', a memoir about getting lost in Mexico when he was eighteen and, in the words of the Alice Cooper song, 'didn't know what he wanted', was serialised by BBC R4 as 'Book of the Week'.

"Delightful, celebratory and honest....In a way 'Tequila Oil' is the first installment of his now-complete trilogy, his 'Cochineal Red' and 'The White Rock' being two of the finest books on Latin America of recent years."  (Rory MacLean, The Guardian)

His first Kindle Single, 'At The Captain's Table', a short and light-hearted account of travelling around the world by luxury liner, went to #2 in the USA non-fiction charts for Kindle Singles on release. 'Two Men and a Mule: The Last City of the Incas' followed and was accompanied by a BBC Radio 4 series.

His first novel, Viva Byron!, was published in 2024 and imagines what might have happened if Byron had not died an early death in Greece – but instead had travelled to South America, as he always wanted to do.

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4.1 out of 5 stars
68 global ratings

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Customers find the book has a lively and spirited pace. They appreciate the historical background and facts that enrich the story.

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4 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's pacing as lively and spirited. They find it an excellent read with humor and depth.

"And not only humorous, but soulful, expressive and full of grit...." Read more

"Not at all what I was expecting - but an excellent read - a travelogue, with history thrown in - pleasant surprise." Read more

"Mr. Thompson book is a wonderful, joyous read...." Read more

"Pretty good book..." Read more

3 customers mention "History"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the historical background in the book. They find it a pleasant surprise, with facts and anecdotes that bring the story to life.

"...Speckled with portions of historical background on Cortes, the Aztecs and Mayans, Pancho Villa, Zapata, along with quotes from several 1930’s travel..." Read more

"...I was expecting - but an excellent read - a travelogue, with history thrown in - pleasant surprise." Read more

"...story of adolescent adventure in a foreign land is peppered with historical facts and anecdotes that bring his story to life more vividly while..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2014
    And not only humorous, but soulful, expressive and full of grit.

    In 1979, eighteen year-old Hugh Thomson finds out that he can drive a car from El Paso, Texas to Central America and possibly make a small fortune...from the get-go, it’s a go.

    We flank front seat next to Hugh in his newly purchased 1972 Oldsmobile-98 on a wild, hilarious road trip through Mexico to Belize. Speckled with portions of historical background on Cortes, the Aztecs and Mayans, Pancho Villa, Zapata, along with quotes from several 1930’s travel writers and how they depicted Mexico...to a plethora of most varied folks and occurrences along the way. A trip not to be forgotten.

    Thirty years later Mr. Thomson is back in Belize to rediscover himself and the Mayan ruins...soul searching after an illustrious career as film maker and explorer.

    Grab a case or two of your favorite motivating beverages and head on down the road with Hugh...you will not be disappointed.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2013
    Not at all what I was expecting - but an excellent read - a travelogue, with history thrown in - pleasant surprise.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2017
    Mr. Thompson book is a wonderful, joyous read. His story of adolescent adventure in a foreign land is peppered with historical facts and anecdotes that bring his story to life more vividly while educating the reader as to the distant past connections of Mexico and Central America to today. His book educates and entertains. You will not be disappointed. -Bryan Mihalakis
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2014
    As I was nearing the end of the book (sadly), the question popped into my head "Is this man as wonderful as his writing?" Here we get a glimpse of the 18 year old adventurer when he was just becoming one. Thomson weaves words beautifully. One moment, the reader is learning something about history; the next observing the exterior landscape with Hugh wherever he is; the next, seeing the author's interior landscape; and the next, laughing out loud at one of his observations. Very seldom do authors have the capacity to weave all the threads together, but this author never fails to do so. This is the fourth book I've read by him, and none have disappointed.

    An older version of Hugh relays the story of his young self and his adventures in Mexico during 1979. We get to glimpse the Mexican landscape and its people, accompany Hugh on his adventures driving a 98 Oldsmobile across Mexico, and finally, get to see the author in his more recent past during a return trip to Belize. I will be forever grateful to the unknown airplane passenger who made the suggestion to Hugh - who would not have had this adventure without him, and we would not have this story.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2017
    I enjoyed the trip through Mexico. I wasn't so much in the minutiae of the history, but some good points were presented.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2013
    As of late, I've been accustomed to reading as much travel writing as I possibly can, and this is one of the better ones, especially in the twenty-first century realm of books. It's interesting that the author combined memoirs from when he was 18 and 30 years after his first travels to Mexico into one book-- the author recognizes how he has changed, and sees this reflection in also how the vast desert country has changed.

    " We often assume as teenagers that adulthood and maturity await, even serenity-- that after a necessary period of transition, round the corner will come the perfect partner, job and life. But the period of transition can last, or reoccur, until the day you die. And the urge to keep traveling, at least for me, was as constant as ever."- Hugh Thomson

    Travel books can be so powerful because they take the reader to a place he or she may have never been, and have the potential to inspire someone to make a journey for themselves and form their own interpretations. The author's sense of humor shines throughout the book and the writing was definitely soulful, a term that is often used to describe music-- but in this case, I would make an exception. This book has a powerful soul.

    I'll have to read more by the author in the future. If you enjoyed this, you might enjoy my own travel book "Travel By Two Wheels", available on Amazon.

    Recommended.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2016
    This Is a pretty infantile travel account from the author who drove an Oldsmobile through Mexico from north to south and returns 30 years later continues his travels through Bslize.
    The main purpose of both trips seems to have been to scrounge for everything in sight and to stay in one star hotels and wangle his way into 5 star hotels to use their facilities.
    There are a few items of interest but it is time the author grew up and wrote something useful and informative.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2010
    Twenty years ago I read my first travel writing. This was by Paul Theroux. He made travel writing seem so effortless. Amusing, entertaining, informative and lucrative. I have read a lot since and found out just how rare good travel writing is. Very few people can turn their anecdotes into a "good read". Hugh Thompson is an experienced writer and has managed to turn an account of a trip he took in his youth into travel writing gold. This book is enjoyable, hair raising, informative as well as being a great coming of age account. The Mexico that Thompson writes about with true affection still exists and can still easily be found. This book is a very welcome change from all the scare stories and bad press Mexico seems to attract these days. A really entertaining read.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Ann Bank
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nicely handled adventures in little known Mexico
    Reviewed in Canada on August 26, 2020
    Amusing & thoughtful tale of youthful misadventures & how things are not quite the same when you go back older
  • Richard Johnson Golding
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good snapshot of a Mexico few will ever know
    Reviewed in Spain on July 28, 2018
    Fresh read, original perspective. Mixes a variety of places, people, history in a lively, readable manner. Last section of return to Belize reads as a bit of an add on.
  • Noel
    5.0 out of 5 stars A teenage booze-fuelled road trip through Mexico and a bit more
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 3, 2011
    Hugh Thomson went off travelling 30 years ago when he was 18. No hippy trail to India but a solo road trip from the USA to Belize, but mainly in Mexico. It is a strange combination of youthful irresponsibility and learned treatise on the gorey past of the indigenous peoples of Mexico and Central America. He buys a car (a very large, colourful gas guzzling motor) in the US because he hears there is good money to be made from selling US cars in Belize.

    One problem, well several problems, he has no driving licence, in fact he has never driven, no insurance and no registration papers. Never the less he greases a few palms along the way and smuggles the car into Mexico and eventually out the other end into Belize. Only when he gets to Belize does he discover the value of market research. En route he drinks a lot of tequila, mezcal, et al.. but the local cops welcome a little dollar gift from time to time. The car has another two border crossings before its story ends.

    He has the knack of meeting decent folks who open their homes to him, employ him and generally assist him to have a good time. And in the midst of all of this he has time and sufficient intellect to visit the Aztec and Maya cities along the way and write interestingly and eruditely about these societies. Civilisations would be an overstatement I think.

    The final 20% of the book relates his return 30 years on to revisit some of the places he saw in his youth. This is a much more sober account of a journey, not in terms of alcohol consumption, but in the mind of the author. Still there is evidence that the youthful anarchic attitude lingers on.

    Throughout the book he reflects on the experience of those who went before and quotes from early accounts of travellers; invaders and indigenous people. This is an entertaining book with lots of historical facts scattered through the fun. There is nothing new under the sun, and it seems that this generation has something to learn from the pre-Colombians about how to destroy the environment.
  • LEAH GRIFFITHS
    4.0 out of 5 stars Get me to Mexico. Now.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 12, 2013
    I bought this as I wanted a non-travel book insight into Mexico and its culture to supplement my 'Rough Guide' etc. I definitely wasn't left disappointed. Thomson takes you through his 18-year-old self's bizarre and heart-warming voyage through Mexico, giving a real feel for the immensely varying regions, their people, culture and history; with interesting and informed observations WITHOUT being "too much". The precariousness of his situation and some hair-raising and hilarious happenings kept me gripped throughout, *until* the 18-year-old part ends and we then get Thomson's present-day voice, which to be honest does get a bit "whiny" and sanctimonious. All in all though, an excellent read for prospective Mexico visitors or not. I can't wait to get there thanks to this book.
  • Martin Davies
    5.0 out of 5 stars V.S.O.P.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2014
    Following a week in Mexico's capital I had to find a special tome for this extraordinary place. Thomson's ingenious memoir with its split time sequence (1979 and 2009) exceeds all expectations. A skilled wordsmith, he ticks every single travel box - adventure, humour, up-to-date history, anecdote, style - with lots of added 'x' factor, and the result is a book you practically fall in love with. The chapters on Belize complete a veritable tour-de-force - folding the latest on Mayan civilisation into the story and bringing Central America's entire pre-Colombian past sharply into focus. Here is a lost world whose mystery and magic are unending. The 'road narrative' has rarely been so authentic - or such fun.