La Revolucion: Mexico's Great Revolution as Memory, Myth, and History [Hardcover]

Thomas Benjamin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2000

The 1910 Revolution is still tangibly present in Mexico in the festivals that celebrate its victories, on the monuments to its heroes, and, most important, in the stories and memories of the Mexican people. Yet there has never been general agreement on what the revolution meant, what its objectives were, and whether they have been accomplished. This pathfinding book shows how Mexicans from 1910 through the 1950s interpreted the revolution, tried to make sense of it, and, through collective memory, myth-making, and history writing, invented an idea called "la Revolucion." In part one, Thomas Benjamin follows the historical development of different and often opposing revolutionary traditions and the state's efforts to forge them into one unified and unifying narrative. In part two, he examines ways of remembering the past and making it relevant to the present through fiestas, monuments, and official history. This research clarifies how the revolution has served to authorise and legitimise political factions and particular regimes to the present day. Beyond the Mexican case, it demonstrates how history is used to serve the needs of the present. Thomas Benjamin is Professor of Latin American History at Central Michigan University.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There is no hotter topic than how we construct our historical memory. The Mexican Revolution offers an exemplary myth to explore. Thomas Benjamin has examined the construction of the Mexican memory and the myth of the Revolution with wit and grace." -Mark Wasserman, Professor of History, Rutgers University

Review

There is no hotter topic than how we construct our historical memory. The Mexican Revolution offers an exemplary myth to explore. Thomas Benjamin has examined the construction of the Mexican memory and the myth of the Revolution with wit and grace.... I believe this book will find a considerable market among students and scholars. (Mark Wasserman, Professor of History, Rutgers University ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: University of Texas Press; First Edition edition (April 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0292708807
• ISBN-13: 978-0292708808
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,724,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thomás Benjamín es doctor en Historia por la Universidad Estatal de Michigan (1981) y actualmente es profesor de historia de la Universidad Central de Michigan. Es autor de THE ATLANTIC WORLD (2009);THE ATLANTIC WORLD IN THE AGE OF EMPIRE (2001); LA REVOLUCION MEXICANA (2000, 2003); HISTORIA REGIONAL DE LA REVOLUCION (1996); CHIAPAS: TIERRA RICA, PUEBLO POBRE (1995); CHIAPAS Y EL ESTADO MEXICANO (1990) y de diversos ensayos académicos.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars book, November 16, 2011

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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: La Revolucion: Mexico's Great Revolution as Memory, Myth, and History (Paperback)

The book came on time. It has a few highlights, but I didn't chose to buy it in the best conditions.