Customer Reviews

Pancho Villa

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

 

 

This is a reissue of a book that I first read in the late sixties and it was old then. There have been many weighty works on the life and times of Villa produced since. The main advantage of this one is that when it was written the author was able to interview a lot of old timers who had known Villa. The only contempories of his still living were children then. Since the book is rather popular in character and not a scholarly work, it can be read with pleasure but only the completist and the specialist collector need it. I would recommend John S.D. Eisenhower and others that I have reviewed here as much more historically sound. On the other hand the Recent Book by Fredrich Katz is more than the average curious reader will want to read. Even as a specialist I found it more useful as a reference than as a straight through read.

William Douglas Lansford's book "Pancho Villa" paints an enlightening perspective of the man behind the image the "Bandido." This beautifully written story illustrates how a single act of defensive violence leads Villa to commanding the epic struggle of the Mexican Revolution. Lansford's moving words and true-life story telling portrays a man of humble beginnings, common faults and military genius; a fascinating story that needed to be told.

I've just finished reading this amazing account of history's most famous or infamous guerilla fighter, Pancho Villa. What an intriguing individual Villa was, and what a great job Lansford does in bringing this figure to life in your head. The pages flew by and I was disappointed the book had to end. I can't remember when a book has so held my attention span and gripped my thoughts that I could feel the desert heat and taste the trail dust in my mouth. I wish my history books had been this interesting in school. When's his next book coming?

With meticulous research, first hand knowledge of guerilla warfare strategy and tactics and a poet's insight into human nature, William Lansford has created one of the most memorable portraits of a human being I've ever read. Villa is etched into stark relief against the background of heroes and villains that made up the chaotic development of modern Mexico. This is truly a magnificent picture of political history as driven by heroic, brutal, vain and all to human, human beings. From the first page, I couldn't put the book down. Lansford is writer of power, intelligence and deep emotion. Read this book!

I read a lot, but I've seldom read a biography as exciting as Pancho Villa by William Douglas Lansford. Turning its pages is almost like watching a movie, the action is so fast and vivid and the depiction of Pancho Villa is terrific! On your scale, I give it 5 full stars!