Synopses & Reviews
Alongside Montezuma and Benito Juárez, Pancho Villa is probably the best-known figure in Mexican history. Legends have resulted in Pancho Villa the leader obscuring his revolutionary movement, and the myth in turn obscuring the leader, but based on decades of multi-national archival research, this definitive study of Villa aims to separate myth from history. The book looks at Villa's early life as an outlaw and his emergence as a national leader, and at the special considerations that transformed the state of Chihuahua into a leading centre of revolution. It goes on to discuss his guerrilla warfare, his attack on Columbus, New Mexico, and his decline and subsequent assassination. The book concludes with a look at the evolution of the Villa legend and an assessment of his personality and the character and impact of his movement.
Synopsis
This study of one of Mexican history's most famous figures aims to separate the considerable myth of a Robin Hood and Casanova-type individual from the reality of a national leader and revolutionary. The book examines his life from his obscure origins, his years as cowboy, trader, outlaw, and revolutionary military figure, to his assassination and concludes with a look at the impact of a man who became the only foreigner to attack the mainland of the United States since the War of 1812 and get away with it.