In "The Line Becomes a River," Francisco Cantú offers a rare and evocative exploration of the American Southwest borderlands, a realm where the personal and political collide with profound consequences. Drawing from his experiences as a Border Patrol agent, Cantú unveils the harrowing realities of the desert frontier—a place where the pursuit of safety and dreams often ends in tragedy. Through vivid narratives that weave together the natural beauty of the landscape with the human stories that animate it, he captures the complex tapestry of life along the contentious border. His journey is one of moral inquiry and deep reflection, challenging readers to confront the shadows of a divisive boundary and the souls it touches. Beyond a mere memoir, this book is a poignant meditation on heritage, duty, and the invisible lines that define us. As Cantú grapples with the haunting memories of his time in the field and the painful stories of those he encounters, including a friend whose hopeful journey turns into a nightmare, the narrative transforms into a powerful indictment of the violence and loss that accompany the policies and practices governing the U.S.-Mexico border. "The Line Becomes a River" is not just Cantú’s story; it is a collective lament for the dreams shattered in the desert and a call to bear witness to the humanity that survives amidst the thorns of the borderlands.