This work investigates the socio-economic structure and cultural evolution of Tepoztlán, Mexico, as it transitions from a traditional peasant society to an integrated participant in a modernizing nation. Oscar Lewis, a prominent anthropologist known for his fieldwork in Mexico, utilizes longitudinal data and ethnographic observation to analyze how rural populations navigate the pressures of urbanization and industrialization. The text presents a framework for understanding the persistence of traditional customs alongside the adoption of new economic practices.

Anthropologists frequently cite this work as a foundational case study for understanding the complexities of peasant life in the mid-20th century. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous look at the intersection of tradition and modernity.