Customer Reviews

The Life and Times of Pancho Villa

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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.

"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.

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.

Authoritative, exhaustive and essential to any student of the Mexican revolution, I nonetheless found this a dull and frustrating book to read. Katz likes his history as dry, colorless and analytical as possible. He keeps anecdotes to an absolute minimum, supplying one every 140 pages or so, and nowhere in the book, as he grinds through his five and six point analyses of every twist and turn taken by the revolution, does he create any narrative tension. In fact he seems determined do the opposite, telling you the outcome of battles before they have been fought, omitting symbolic moments like the fall of Diaz that might offer some narrative satisfaction, and then delving into obscure draft resolutions on agrarian reform or some such in fanatical detail. His primary interest is Villa's moves on the chessboard of the revolution and he deals with Villa's personality, love life, sense of humor, etc, in a few pages of flat bald summary. The man only comes alive when Katz is quoting John Reed. One is tempted to barbarize one of Villa's famous sayings and say that Katz researches like an eagle and writes like a wet hen.

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.

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.

Katz provides the best biography of Pancho Villa. It is lengthy but is thorough and covers the relevant times in his life. Villa was a thug and a thief and Katz shows that well. His attacks against the government and the United States are clearly laid out and Katz analyzes the surrounding characters very well. If you are interested in the Mexican Revolution this is an essential book to have. For those looking to build up a library on Mexico history this is a must read. I loved every page of this book and have read it several times and each time I unlock a new level of knowledge about the revolution and Villa. Highly recommend.

This is a massive and extraordinarily detailed study of Villa's life and times. It is well-written and easy to read despite the length of the book. For anyone who wants to read a *very* thorough book about the Mexican Revolution and one of its major figures.

This is an absolutely amazing piece of literature. Although not a thorough Mexican Revolution study (it is not intended to be one though) it is a great piece well backed by many, many years of research. You will really enjoy it.

The best book I ever read about Pancho Villa. I liked it so much that I have given two of them away!! This book is a must if you want to learn more about the Mexican Revolution.