The Life and Times of Pancho Villa

by Friedrich Katz

Book Overview

Alongside Moctezuma and Benito Ju rez, Pancho Villa is probably the best-known figure in Mexican history. Villa legends pervade not only Mexico but the United States and beyond, existing not only in the popular mind and tradition but in ballads and movies. There are legends of Villa the Robin Hood, Villa the womanizer, and Villa as the only foreigner who has attacked the mainland of the United States since the War of 1812 and gotten away with it...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804730466
• ISBN13: 9780804730464
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Stanford University Press
• Length: 1004 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.1" x 6.9" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

The most comprehensive work on Pancho Villa

"The Life and Times of Pancho Villa" is the most complete source for information regarding this internationally recognized Mexican warrior. Katz, unlike other authors, gives a complete biography of the man, his myths and his legacy; as well as the geopolitical background corresponding to the periods of Villa's life. Both as a historian and a mexican, I feel that this is the one piece of literature that is completely indispensable for anyone that wants to know what happened during the so-called "mexican revolution" at the beginnings of the century and how this situation fits in with the rest of the world at this time. (i.e. The first World War) Quite simply, I feel that this comprehensive book is definitely worth a deep read, yet it also satisfies those curious people who are in for a quick browse.

If you like "comparative," you'll love this work!

I recently finished Katz'z book. Without sounding as if I am simply "gushing" with enthusiasm, it is not an easy task to accurately express the positive attitude I have about this book. Thus, in an attempt to be somewhat objective, I'll try to focus more on the comparative aspect of the work. Katz manages to give the reader a sense of perspective not only of the man Pancho Villa--and northern Mexico--he also contrasts Villa with a number of other Mexican revolutionaries of the times, most notably Emiliano Zapata. Yet, Katz does much more, he paints an expressive and incisive overall portrait of the Mexican Revolution (which was not just one event, it was a series of "revolutions"); he provides a comparative perspective for evalutating both the similarities and the uniqueness of Villa and the Mexican Revolution, in relation to to other Latin American AND other twentieth century revolutionary movements, and leaders. Truly the book is an awesome achievement. Katz provides a wealth of facts but never loses the overall perspective, it all fits together. He provides both "top-down" and "bottom-up" aspects of Villa, his associates, and the times--and the Mexico--in which they lived. Additionally, Katz always manages to maintain his course; he is objective and dispassionate in his analysis and interpretations of individual events and personalites--but he is not shy about offering his own (well-considered) opinions. The book provides a wealth of newly discovered information. Finally, (as if what I have already written is not enough!) the book is a tribute to a wonderfully insightful scholar; behind the book is obviously an intelligent (very intelligent) person; it is a masterpiece of historical craftsmanship, produced by an excellent writer.

Rigorous history that is more exciting than fiction

Probably, the most important thing about this book is the fact that, though its subject is one of the most misunderstood characters of world history, it rests on an extremely rigorous research. Prof. Katz, one of the most serious and best historians you can read, and a specialist in Mexico, sought and found every available source of information. His history is as objective as it could be. But this is much more than just a biography of Pancho Villa; it is a history of the Mexican Revolution that develops around Villa and his movement. Besides, the life of Villa is more impressive, exciting and interesting than many, many fictional characters, even when the historian puts the legends aside and stays within the boundaries of solid data. It is really a pity that most people have an idea of Villa which comes from easy novels (like "The friends of Pancho Villa"). These novels may be good or bad, but most of the time they are pure fantasy. For example, most of them paint Villa as a bandit who led a disorderly band of killers. Well, surprise! Villa, who certainly had a past as an outlaw, managed to organize the most formidable war machine of the Revolution. During the 1910-1911, and 1913-1915 campaigns, his army was the best in terms of logistics, organization, discipline, morale, and strategy (until Villa made serious mistakes and Obregon defeated him). And more surprises: of all the revolutionary armies, Villa's was the most disciplined in terms of their behavior. Villa strongly prohibited and punished vandalism, rapes, destruction and raids. This is not to say they were a band of angels, but their cruelty and the devastation they created must be put in context. Carranza's army was much more terrible, and Carranza was no bandit, but a wealthy landowner. Anyway, this is a magnificent piece of work, extremely readable. Of course, it will not satisfy the reviewer below, who was looking for ten minutes of information in the Brittanica (very flawed, by the way), or the person who was looking just for "stories" and less "information". This, though extremely enjoyable, is serious history for serious readers who, along the way, find the amazing story of a contradictory man, with great wits, poor education, no significant traces of corruption (he had multiple opportunities to steal, run and keep the money, and never did it), extreme attitudes of cruelty, ruthlesness, violence, and also generosity, tenderness, and loyalty. Neither simple bandit nor saint: just an extraordinary man living in the hardest of times, escaping from death time after time, until the last time. Fictional characters don't get more amazing and historians don't get any better.

Not only the definitive book on Villa, but also the Revoluti

This is a massive book, and not for light reading. Still, I think it is the best book on the Revolutionary period. If you are interested in this subject, this should not be the first book you pick up, there is just too much information. However, after you've read one or two other books, and have a good grounding, this is the book that wraps it up. There is nothing left out.

Viva Villa! The Definitive Biography of a Historical Giant

The Life and Times of Pancho Villa is truly a masterpiece of historical biography. This volume accomplishes a rare feat in current historical scholarship---an eminently readable book which provides an unparalleled scholarly contribution. Prof Katz, while portraying General Villa's critical role in Mexican history, weaves into his text a colorful depiction Villa's indomitable character. A pleasure to read, this book will remain a favorite of both scholars and fans of Mexican history for many years to come.