La mesa: Historias de nuestra gente (The table: stories of our people) is the latest book by journalist, author, and news anchor León Krauze. Born in 1975 in Mexico City, Krauze began his career as a sports journalist, then became an international-policy analyst specializing in the society and politics of the U.S. Today, he is the main news anchor at Univision KMEX in Los Angeles.

Krauze has published several books on the history of sports and American politics, as well as three volumes of young adult literature, including the novel El vuelo de Eluán (The flight of Eluán) and La casa dividida (The divided house), an account of the first five years of the George W. Bush presidency. Throughout his 20 years as a journalist, his work has been published in the Daily Beast, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, the Los Angeles Times, the New Republic, Newsweek, El País from Spain, and Letras Libres from Mexico, among other media outlets.

In La mesa, Krauze presents a portrait of today’s Latino immigrants. The book, which was released in Spanish by HarperCollins Español on May 24, is composed of 50 stories that relate immigrants’ experiences in the U.S. and their struggles to achieve a better life.

Emmy award–winning journalist and author Jorge Ramos explains the premise for the book in the prologue. Ramos describes how Krauze had the idea of taking a small folded table, two chairs, two microphones, and a cameraman to different parts of Los Angeles and asking people to share their stories. The segments were aired on Univision, and some of the most poignant stories are captured in La mesa. PW spoke with Krauze about his book and his vision of Latinos in the U.S.

In the prologue, Jorge Ramos discusses how many of the stories in La mesa will stay with him for a lifetime. Which of the stories still stay with you?

Many of them. But one that comes to mind is the story of Concepción, a woman who grew up with an alcoholic father who was physically and verbally abusive to his 13 children. Eventually, one of her brothers killed another brother and that is a pain she still carries with her. Her story is emblematic—the paternal figure is either a very negative one or absent. The women are usually very strong and hardworking.

The stories are not all tragic. Some aren’t necessarily immigrant stories, but stories of lament—what could have been of someone’s life. Each person who shared a story was optimistic and grateful for the opportunity to build a better life in the United States. They don’t look at their sacrifices with pity, but with pride.

This is a book that non-Hispanics should read. I hope one day it will be available in English. Each story is part of a mosaic of the deep poverty and the sacrifices made. Each story could be its own novel.

Do you think today’s immigrants from Latin America are different from those who immigrated 20 years ago?

The immigrant is different, but what they seek and the challenges they face are the same. In recent years, the number of immigrants from Mexico has decreased, and the numbers from Central America have increased. Yet their stories are similar—their dreams, hopes, and what they strive for is a better life for their families.

In the book you also mention how Latin-American countries have also failed its citizens by not providing them with the hope of a dignified life. Do you think that the U.S. has also failed immigrants?

Yes, the general population has failed to understand what the immigrant life is like. Many want immigration reform, and yet they don’t know what immigrants have given up to be in the U.S. and how they contribute to the fabric of this country.

In a few months we will be in the midst of a presidential election. What role do immigrants play in these elections?

We will likely have a presidential candidate that defends very anti-immigrant policies. This candidate is not just talking about immigrants from Latin America but all immigrants. It is an intolerable message for the millions of Latinos, Asians, and Middle Eastern immigrants that are part of this country and contribute in so many different ways.

You have written books on sports history and U.S. politics, as well as novels and YA literature. Which type of book fulfills you the most as a writer?

Not sure as a writer, but certainly this book [La mesa] has made me grow as a human being, and for that I am very proud.