Customer Reviews

Cinco de Mayo: What Is Everybody Celebrating?

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book provides a solid and readable account of the French intervention in Mexico from 1861-1867. I had only a very superficial knowledge of this episode because of my interest in the American Civil War. From what I could determine, not much has been written on this eventso I was eager to learn more.

The positive points of this book are:
1. The narrative is easy to understand and divided into sections that help to make the story easy to follow.
2. The author does a very sound job of placing the French intervention withing the broader context of the American Civil War, showing the influence these two events had upon each other.
3. The bibliography provides plenty of works for those interested in more detail study of this event.

The negative points of this book are:
1. Not one map. There needs to be a general map of Mexico, maps showing the marches of the various forces, and maps showing the courses of the major battles. This is the most significant negative aspect of this book. Maps are essential for a book describing military events.
2. There is a small amount of repetitivneness, but not enough to become bothersome.
3. I would have liked for there to have been a little more discussion on why the French were wanting to establish a monarchy in Mexico. I felt this topic was handle a little to quickly and superficially.
4. Photographs, illustrations, and artwork of the events and people involved would have been a nice addition.
5. The author is not a military historian, and some of his descriptions of military terms may seem a little odd for those who are familiar with military terms.

All in all this is a very good read and I would recommend it to those who are interested in Mexican, military, European, or Civil War history.

Now here's an iUniverse book well worth their otherwise high price for a paperback. I found it hard to put down for long. The battle which the title's event commemorates is dealt with clearly enough to understand why it went the way it did. But who could have guessed the French troops would decide to have a coffee and pastry break beforehand? I never realized just how inept the French commanders really were in Mexico, though Mexican president Juarez and his loyalists would have been tenacious combatants for any such unscrupulous invader. I knew the installed "Emperor" Maximilian was out of his element, but not that he was so truly foolish--or that his more realistic wife had a nervous breakdown. Austin, Texas author Miles has a great eye for colorful detail, and a lot of it is fascinating, such as that a former colonel of a volunteer New York regiment in the American Civil War almost was executed with Maximilian, until the colonel's resourceful wife talked Juarez into sparing him. It beats the dry histories, while being a respectable, well-footnoted history in itself, and with a nice bibliography for further exploration. Except for a few typos, a misleading blurb on the back cover, and some needless repetition, this is a great read.

Award-winning radio journalist Donald W. Miles presents Cinco de Mayo: What Is Everybody Celebrating?, a historical account of the events that sparked the annual Cinco de Mayo holiday in Mexico. Nearly 150 years ago, when the emperor of France ordered his generals to take over Mexico and use it as a "base" to help the Confederates in the American Civil War against the Union Army, Mexico fought back. On May 5th, 1862, Mexico won a decisive battle against French forces, preserving its independence and preventing foreign interference in the American Civil War, yet it would take Mexico another five years to expel the last of the French soldiers from its borders. Cinco de Mayo chronicles the war between Mexico and France in plain terms, accessible to readers of all backgrounds; notes and an index round out this excellent historical primer especially recommended for public library collections.

Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (4/07)


I must admit I had no clue what the celebrations for Cinco de Mayo (May 5) were all about before I read this book. Miles provided an insightful and intuitive book that concentrated mainly on the French and Mexican forces. He also effectively included the ways in which the Civil War that was simultaneously occurring in the United States affected the events of the war in Mexico. It truly made me wonder how history might have turned out differently if the United States had been able to intervene more on Mexico's behalf.

Interestingly, the accounts of this war from France's point of view are similar to what many believe is occurring today in Iraq. As stated on page 81, "the government was concealing the real purposes for going to war, the invading army was led to believe they would be welcomed as liberators" and "there was no plan to deal with the responsibilities after a military victory." He also effectively showed how the U. S. Civil War influenced the war in Mexico."

I appreciated the inclusion of an epilogue that told what happened to many of the major players after the war ended. I enjoy finding out about people's fate after their roles in historical events are lessened with time. For me it provides an end to what would otherwise seem to be an unfinished story.

I think it would be interesting to see this same chain of events written from the French army's point of view for comparison. For me it provided an understanding that there were health issues and food issues involved but I would think the army of a world power would have been more prepared and more successful, especially since other nations did not offer help to the Mexican armed forces.

"Cinco de Mayo" is a comprehensive account of the war between Mexico and France and the role played by the United States. Through the use of vivid descriptions at times I felt I could picture the scenes and see the carnage. This book is an excellent portrayal of the events of May 5, offering immense insight into what happened both before and during the fighting. While not the turning point of the war, the Battle of Puebla inspired the Mexican forces to persevere and accomplish their mission."

Received book free of charge.

... very readable ... story on the French intervention in Mexico ... great usefulness to readers who want to want to know how ... Cinco de Mayo fits into the ... struggle to keep Mexico from becoming a European colony. [Don Miles] brings out many human and colorful aspects ... often lost in traditionally technical histories. His intimate knowledge of the Mexican culture is reflected in all that he writes.
--Dr. Robert Pierce, Professor Emeritus, Journalism & Communications, University of Florida