Villa and Zapata: A History of the Mexican Revolution

Unlike the Book by John Womack Jr. on Zapata this is an easier read. The information is there without all the footnotes. It reads more like an adventure story and is a faster read. Villa has perhaps a bit more exposure than Zapata or any of the others. Zapata was my primary interest and I was not disappointed in the author's assessment of his role. Zapata form what I have read was the most honorable, and honest of all these people involved in the Revolution. Most of the others were back stabbing power hungry individuals and very treacherous, and that includes Villa. Some of the feats the author attributed to Villa with respect to his marksmanship are pure baloney to put it simply. The cruelty exhibited by most of these people may surprise some people. Villa once had almost an entire town's population shot. Huerta was probably the worst but even he was nearly matched by many others. The interference by U.S. is by today's standards shameful. After reading both Womack's "Zapata" and this book, I have a new perspective.

Wonderful book that describes a very complex series of events that comprised the Mexican Revolution. Probably at least a dozen different individuals involved with most of them executed or assassinated. Ultimately over two million deaths. Either side often took no prisoners - executing prisoners and even those that surrendered. The Revolution didn't bring the hoped for changes. My Amazon printed book was delivered with the front and back covers upside down and interposed. Luckily the pages of text were complete.

This is a very well written book that covers the subject from a modern view point. This is not a book for a person that has not had a good grounding in 20th centry history. The terms used for discription tend to be based on the English use of the English language at times and not the American version of the english language. It was not a distraction for me but for some it might be. Some discriptions of the principal figures are compaired to persons of like actions in 20th century europiean history, it works well but might be noted in the reference section for those that do not pick up on the reference to the figure described. When spanish is used as a term it fits the passage and is well translated. The photos fit the language and the discription of the action in the book. It is a history book but it is also just a plain good read.

This history book is the best.

These days you can probably just read a wikipedia entry if you want to "know about" a subject, so a book has to have more than just facts. Villa and Zapata is well worth that extra effort. It is fast-paced, well-written and very informative. I had a little hesitation before reading this book based on the tile--was it going to be more a biography of Villa and Zapata then a history of the revolution? Turns out not, but, as in all great histories, you get a great sense of all of the big players--not only Villa and Zapata, but Diaz, Huerta, Obregon, Carranza and others--what those people were like and what drove them, and how their personalities played out in action. A very complicated and confusing period in history made clear and done in an entertaining way. High recommend.

Good book

Excellent detail. Bibliography is extensive. A few conclusions could have been stronger with footnotes and rational. The Latin phrases and historical allegory might break the flow for some readers. Of the many, likely hundreds, of books and articles I have read on the Mexican Revohis is one of the ten best and the best synthesis.

Excellent read,informative, and detailed. My only objection is the use of French words and phrases that the author uses to describe or to make comparisons to. Being a little versed in European history would also help. But, these are my shortcomings. Aside from that, excellent book.