Government [Paperback]

B. Traven (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1984

In the 1930s B. Traven wrote an epic of the birth of the Mexican revolution in what have become known as the "Jungle Novels." Government is the first of the six novels that comprise the series. Depicting the political corruption that infected even the smallest villages in Mexico, the novel tells the story of Don Gabriel, a minor government functionary who has a virtual license to steal from the Indian village where he is secretary—except that the Indians have nothing to steal. By chance he finds an opportunity in the labor agent business, shanghaiing luckless Indians into debt-slavery so that he can ship them off to work in the great mahogany plantations owned by foreign capital. The novel reaches a moving climax in a clash of cultures between the simple dignity of the illiterate Indians and the cynicism and corruption of the politicians and petty bureaucrats. "Traven is a very great writer.... His work must be read."—New York Times Book Review.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

B. Traven is coming to be recognized as one of the narrative masters of the twentieth century. (New York Times )

The Jungle Novels constitute one of the richest portraits of revolution in all literature. (University Review )

Great storytellers often arise like Judaic just men to exemplify and rehearse the truth for their generation. B. Traven was such a man. (Book World )

Traven is a riveting storyteller. (Philadelphia Inquirer )

Readers who ignore the genius of B. Traven do so at their peril. (New York Times ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Schocken Books (January 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805281657
• ISBN-13: 978-0805281651
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,119,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Traven sees thru all the muck & mire and let's you in on it!, February 25, 2000

By 

C. Magill "clyde-o" (knoxville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Government (Jungle Novels) (Paperback)

This was my first B. Traven book, and I am hooked. His satirical wit and narrative prose are well constructed. A simple story about early 20th century Mexico. Traven follows characters through the story and makes reading easy. The interesting thing is how true some of the same bureacracy and logic of those times is still with us in this modern day. After having traveled extensively in Mexico, it also gives me a better understanding of the plight of the indigenous people and the history behind their current governmental structure. The insight garnered is not country specific, however, as the same systems can be found in all walks of life, countries, and governments. Highly recommended!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ, December 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Government (Jungle Novels) (Paperback)

GOVERNMENT should be required reading in every High School civics class. Beyond its relevance to actual Mexican history, and its introduction to Traven's amazing Jungle series, it does an expert and entertaining job of describing the prevelant corruption that most, if not all, modern goverments eventually (often rapidly) employ. Also a must read also for all voters and elected officials.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Government" presages the 1994 Zapatista rebellion, December 10, 2006

By 

Evan D Ravitz (Boulder, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Government (Paperback)

Amazing fact: in Government, published 1931, Traven has the rebels in Chiapas commandeer an army post while the troops are drunk on New Years Eve. This is exactly what happened on Jan. 1, 1994 when the Zapatista rebels seized the army base near San Cristobal de las Casas and procured their weapons. I don't know if the rebels took their cue from Traven, or if it was coincidence, but this is a case of reality imitating fiction.