Lefty John Ross, a former New York beatnik, has taken on a daunting task with his new history of Mexico City. Nobody has successfully told the story of this monster of a metropolis in one volume, but John effort is impressive. Despite some flaws (like too much bilingual street slang), it’s lively and vital, and should be required reading for Texans, since the history — and future — of Texas and Mexico are so intertwined. By Dick J. Reavis…