While the U.S.-Mexico border officially extends from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico, Wood (history, U. of Tulsa), who has written extensively and produced films on Mexico, includes the U.S. southwestern states and northern Mexican states in these borderlands. He provides a chronology and brief introductory notes to the diverse entries, from the 'Adams Onis Treaty' (which demarcated the border between U.S. states and Spanish-held territory in 1819) to ''Zoot Suite Riots' (in 1943 in Los Angeles). Sampling the "C's," entries include Chicano labor organizer César Chávez, entertainers Cheech and Chong, and "coyotes" who illegally smuggle migrants into the U.S. The volume includes alphabetical and thematic lists of entries, further readings, and b&w photos. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)