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The Wind that Swept Mexico: The History of the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1942
The Mexican Revolution began in 1910 with the overthrow of dictator Porfirio Díaz. The Wind That Swept Mexico, originally published in 1943, was the first book to present a broad account of that revolution in its several different phases. In concise but moving words and in memorable photographs, this classic sweeps the reader along from the false peace and plenty of the Díaz era through the doomed administration of Madero, the chaotic years of Villa and Zapata, Carranza and Obregón, to the peaceful social revolution of Cárdenas and Mexico's entry into World War II. The photographs were assembled from many sources by George R. Leighton with the assistance of Anita Brenner and others. Many of the prints were cleaned and rephotographed by the distinguished photographer Walker Evans.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1943
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 31, 2015
This book was described as one of the most powerful pictorial histories ever put together and, indeed, the photographs were amazing. Most of the photographs were taken by young American journalists/adventurers and a few by professionals. The cold grey photos have a sense of stunning immediacy that I sense when I look at old Brady photos from the Civil War.
The narrative is where this book falls short in my opinion. There is little history in this book meaning a chronological catalogue of events and persons. The author's opinions of economic politics is spread heavily over a very bare outline of the presidencies, fighting and battles; so much so it is difficult to determine who was fighting for what. The author, Anita Brenner, felt strongly that "the Revolution" was betrayed over the government's failure to collectivize the land and distribute the proceeds towards the peasants, that is her opinion and I would readily read a book about that topic. Unfortunately, this is a book subtitled "The History of the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1942." Histories should be as free of opinions as possible and I felt somewhat mislead as I read the book.
While we have a greater insight in the disastrous attempts to nationalize agricultural production attempted by regimes as diverse as China, the USSR, Peru, and Cambodia to understand a good intention on paper can lead to horrific consequences for the people it purports to assist, Ms. Brenner fails to see that it would not be as simple as a government decree.
Her bad guys are very evident, Diaz, Yankee oilmen, haciendistos, rurales, Huerta, Catholic clergy, Calles and Camacho. Her good guys: Madero, Zapatistas, Obregon, Villa, secularists, are all lily white. She seemed like an Oprah Winfrey commentator who offers simplistic feel-good solutions that would result in no adverse consequences.
While the Mexican Revolution resulted in mixed results, I do feel that it helped the nation for the most part. Mexico needed to exert more internal control over its own resources many of the international oil interests needed to be limited. It also needed a national bank and greater infrastructure. This took capitol. It was a harsh and violent time around the globe and, perhaps, there would have been no other way for Mexico to modernize without some type of upheaval.
I intend to read more on the Mexican Revolution as I find the topic fascinating. I hope to find a more balanced book with less sanctimonious preaching.
The narrative is where this book falls short in my opinion. There is little history in this book meaning a chronological catalogue of events and persons. The author's opinions of economic politics is spread heavily over a very bare outline of the presidencies, fighting and battles; so much so it is difficult to determine who was fighting for what. The author, Anita Brenner, felt strongly that "the Revolution" was betrayed over the government's failure to collectivize the land and distribute the proceeds towards the peasants, that is her opinion and I would readily read a book about that topic. Unfortunately, this is a book subtitled "The History of the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1942." Histories should be as free of opinions as possible and I felt somewhat mislead as I read the book.
While we have a greater insight in the disastrous attempts to nationalize agricultural production attempted by regimes as diverse as China, the USSR, Peru, and Cambodia to understand a good intention on paper can lead to horrific consequences for the people it purports to assist, Ms. Brenner fails to see that it would not be as simple as a government decree.
Her bad guys are very evident, Diaz, Yankee oilmen, haciendistos, rurales, Huerta, Catholic clergy, Calles and Camacho. Her good guys: Madero, Zapatistas, Obregon, Villa, secularists, are all lily white. She seemed like an Oprah Winfrey commentator who offers simplistic feel-good solutions that would result in no adverse consequences.
While the Mexican Revolution resulted in mixed results, I do feel that it helped the nation for the most part. Mexico needed to exert more internal control over its own resources many of the international oil interests needed to be limited. It also needed a national bank and greater infrastructure. This took capitol. It was a harsh and violent time around the globe and, perhaps, there would have been no other way for Mexico to modernize without some type of upheaval.
I intend to read more on the Mexican Revolution as I find the topic fascinating. I hope to find a more balanced book with less sanctimonious preaching.
December 13, 2016
This is considered a masterwork on the subject of the Mexican Revolution, although after reading it, I have one big caveat.
To wit, her prose has an edge to it--that is, it is poetic, but at the same time, sometimes hard to pin down. Sometimes, you read over a sentence three or four times trying to figure out exactly what she's trying to say, and in the end, must conclude that she doesn't even know quite what she's trying to say.
That, however, is my only complaint. She extends the revolution to 1940, knowing that the peacetime still constituted part of the revolution, since Mexico was still trying to negotiate the principles of the revolution into the working government. That brings greater understanding to the subject, to be sure. The photos are a major component of this book, since it gives you a visual image of the personages that we are talking about. They take up the entire last half of the book.
Ms. Brenner was a contemporaneous reporter covering the events, and thus, knows them intimately and thoroughly. She conveys the sounds, smells, environment, and people in a 3-dimensional way that historians simply cannot convey.
To wit, her prose has an edge to it--that is, it is poetic, but at the same time, sometimes hard to pin down. Sometimes, you read over a sentence three or four times trying to figure out exactly what she's trying to say, and in the end, must conclude that she doesn't even know quite what she's trying to say.
That, however, is my only complaint. She extends the revolution to 1940, knowing that the peacetime still constituted part of the revolution, since Mexico was still trying to negotiate the principles of the revolution into the working government. That brings greater understanding to the subject, to be sure. The photos are a major component of this book, since it gives you a visual image of the personages that we are talking about. They take up the entire last half of the book.
Ms. Brenner was a contemporaneous reporter covering the events, and thus, knows them intimately and thoroughly. She conveys the sounds, smells, environment, and people in a 3-dimensional way that historians simply cannot convey.
September 25, 2019
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this book could have been a tome. 100 pages of light quick description from a US point of view written during WWII that shows anti-Nazi bias, anti-Commie bias and anti-Franco bias. What do these three have to do with Mexico? All were involved in trying to influence Mexico in the 20's, 30's and 40's. The writer kind of tried to be unbiased in the support for the oil barons, Hearst and others that owned the mines, land and more, but was very much still on the 'us vs. them' view.
Still, this was a brutal time for Mexico with 5 or more violent changes to leadership. Whereas the US has had only 2 violent period of changes, to have ongoing civil warfare is hard to comprehend.
This book just touched upon the major points during this time, but is filled with over 200 pages of large photos taken by the diplomatic corp and news corps that showed both the leaders and the victims of the political violence.
Still, this was a brutal time for Mexico with 5 or more violent changes to leadership. Whereas the US has had only 2 violent period of changes, to have ongoing civil warfare is hard to comprehend.
This book just touched upon the major points during this time, but is filled with over 200 pages of large photos taken by the diplomatic corp and news corps that showed both the leaders and the victims of the political violence.
November 20, 2017
A clear and concise history of the Mexican revolution, written in 1943, from its origins in the oppression and inequality of the Diaz era through the genuinely revolutionary and progressive administration of Lazaro Cardenas. This is not a detailed history - and that's a virtue. Brenner omits a lot of tiresome detail in order to focus on the broad trends, shifting alliances, and major events. The book is written in a light breezy style, reminiscent of Antoine St. Exupery, while revealing a passionate desire to see the revolution succeed in its social aims.
May 23, 2018
Para mí, las fotografías tienen un valor mayor que el texto. Ni me di cuenta de que lo hizo una estadounidense (sarcasmo). Quizá no fue el mejor momento de mi vida para leerlo, pero simplemente este libro no lo quiero.
¿De aquí sacaron que Madero era espiritista?
¿De aquí sacaron que Madero era espiritista?
March 4, 2023
For somebody that knows nothing about this period and does not want a deep academic 10 volume review, this a a great book to read over the course of a couple days with excellent pictures. It is only 100 pages of text. It gives an impassioned review of the very general events and leaves the revolution sounding oddly like the french revolution. There is no citation. Most statements are left unsupported. It doesn't have much of a pretence of objectivity. Its a great way to get a quick glimps.
June 16, 2022
a quick, easy read. actually I don't know why more books haven't copied this format--it's like a graphic novel for history.
as other reviewers have noted, there isn't much in the way of backup for facts or explanation of how she arrived at her views. however: how many English speakers know anything about the Mexican revolution?
this must be the best quick intro to an under-discussed topic.
as other reviewers have noted, there isn't much in the way of backup for facts or explanation of how she arrived at her views. however: how many English speakers know anything about the Mexican revolution?
this must be the best quick intro to an under-discussed topic.
April 4, 2023
A rather flowery and at times odd recounting of the revolutionary period by a fascinating proto-global Jewish-Mexican ceramics artist. Valuable perhaps more as a historical artifact than for its enjoyment in reading.
May 4, 2025
One of the best as-it-happened books on the Mexican Revolution. The differing personalities and the international intrigue are laid bare. While it is not detailed exhaustively it has great pictures that really bring home the light narrative.
Shows why Mexico and the US have a complex history.
Shows why Mexico and the US have a complex history.
June 9, 2019
it is difficult to keep track of all the presidents, revolutions and civil wars.
July 24, 2024
A sweeping, exciting, and interesting study of the Mexican Revolution. It details the great personalities, stakes, and meddling empire to the north.
May 21, 2015
My understanding of the the thesis of this book is as follows: Mexico and the United States are interdependent and neither can be secure without considering the other. Also, Mexico is often in a state of revolution which it considers a method of change. The Mexican revolution was a form of the communist revolutions that swept over the rest of the world and America needed to pay careful attention because it was a revolution that America was about to face.
The argument for interdependence is probably the best and most strongly defended. After all, much of the goods that America uses travel either over the land of Mexico or along the water surrounding it. This is the area that America is most vulnerable, because enemies try to come through Mexico. The relationship that Mexico and the United States enjoy is the one that other Latin American countries look to.
The author does claim that the wind that swept Mexico was the same one that swept the rest of the world, but aside from pointing out that many of the lower class, or popular as Beasley would put it, were involved in the revolution, she does not support this argument as well as it likely could be. The lower class are always called upon to be the soldiers, this hardly means that they are the deciding factor in the war. Some of the articles seem almost intent on disputing her claim of popular revolt, showing that it was mostly a bourgeois revolution that changed Mexico, and we see again and again that the revolution found its full flower and success likely because it pulled in the middle class.
The pictures do open up the idea that the average people were more deeply entwined within the revolution, and by showing the more seemingly populist movements of Villa and Zapata creates an idea that they were more fully popular than they were.
Sweetly romantic, this book is an easy read. The author confesses upfront (or rather prior to the endnotes) that she is by no means an historian, and the writing and prose style seem to agree with this. The author writes in a style that suggest a popular market, and seems in keeping with the same style that Betty Friedan would employ shortly after for her discussion of the "Feminine Mystique."
The best thing about this book is the photographs which also form a sweeping narrative. In many ways they tell the story far better than her writing could. This is interesting because her writing is very readable and lays out a fairly brief and concise history of the Mexican revolution. It would probably be easier to critique her thesis (or lack of easily discernable one) is she were a historian, or if she had just one that was easy to identify. The quick history makes the book a worthwhile read and the pictures offer an array of primary source documents that will likely prove valuable to historian far into the future.
The argument for interdependence is probably the best and most strongly defended. After all, much of the goods that America uses travel either over the land of Mexico or along the water surrounding it. This is the area that America is most vulnerable, because enemies try to come through Mexico. The relationship that Mexico and the United States enjoy is the one that other Latin American countries look to.
The author does claim that the wind that swept Mexico was the same one that swept the rest of the world, but aside from pointing out that many of the lower class, or popular as Beasley would put it, were involved in the revolution, she does not support this argument as well as it likely could be. The lower class are always called upon to be the soldiers, this hardly means that they are the deciding factor in the war. Some of the articles seem almost intent on disputing her claim of popular revolt, showing that it was mostly a bourgeois revolution that changed Mexico, and we see again and again that the revolution found its full flower and success likely because it pulled in the middle class.
The pictures do open up the idea that the average people were more deeply entwined within the revolution, and by showing the more seemingly populist movements of Villa and Zapata creates an idea that they were more fully popular than they were.
Sweetly romantic, this book is an easy read. The author confesses upfront (or rather prior to the endnotes) that she is by no means an historian, and the writing and prose style seem to agree with this. The author writes in a style that suggest a popular market, and seems in keeping with the same style that Betty Friedan would employ shortly after for her discussion of the "Feminine Mystique."
The best thing about this book is the photographs which also form a sweeping narrative. In many ways they tell the story far better than her writing could. This is interesting because her writing is very readable and lays out a fairly brief and concise history of the Mexican revolution. It would probably be easier to critique her thesis (or lack of easily discernable one) is she were a historian, or if she had just one that was easy to identify. The quick history makes the book a worthwhile read and the pictures offer an array of primary source documents that will likely prove valuable to historian far into the future.
August 3, 2011
A fascinating look at the Mexican Revolution. As an American we think that Mexico is full of barbarians that just aren't civilized enough to get along. However, I don't know of a better case of right vs left played out over 200 years than there (this book covers 30 years). If you're interested in politics and the current battle in Washington maybe you should read this. It's also very interesting to see how deep America has had it's fingers in Mexican politics since the beginning and how much we've manipulated them. Most people don't know that we invaded Mexico several times and we even took the capital once. Those who do know think that was the limits of our involvement. In fact we've been interfering with Mexico's political situation for so long that they didn't want to go into WWII on the same side as America just out of principal. We in fact prolonged their instability by trying to keep dictators like Diaz and Huerta in power to satisfy our interests. Sounds a lot like Vietnam and Iraq and many other countries in history doesn't it?
The only way that Mexico could keep running is by giving away all it's natural resources to America, Spain, Germany and France in exchange for LOANS that had to be repaid. If they tried taking back those resources (mines, oil etc..) then no more loans to stay in business. The minute Juarez died Diaz started selling off the country to the highest bidder until the majority of it was owned by foreigners. This fight by idealists for ideals is fascinating. Modero had the ideas but not the wherewithal, Caranzza had Obregon and Obregon had the military smarts and the ability to rule. Calles was a step in the other direction but still made progress. Cardenas was finally credited with expropriating Mexico's resources and giving it back to Mexicans. Cardenas is possibly Jaurez' spiritual successor but without Carranza, Obregon, Pancho Villa, Emeliano Zapata and Modero he never would have come to power. The book ends soon after at the dawn of WWII. I now need a book that goes from Mexico's Independence to the fall of Diaz.
The only way that Mexico could keep running is by giving away all it's natural resources to America, Spain, Germany and France in exchange for LOANS that had to be repaid. If they tried taking back those resources (mines, oil etc..) then no more loans to stay in business. The minute Juarez died Diaz started selling off the country to the highest bidder until the majority of it was owned by foreigners. This fight by idealists for ideals is fascinating. Modero had the ideas but not the wherewithal, Caranzza had Obregon and Obregon had the military smarts and the ability to rule. Calles was a step in the other direction but still made progress. Cardenas was finally credited with expropriating Mexico's resources and giving it back to Mexicans. Cardenas is possibly Jaurez' spiritual successor but without Carranza, Obregon, Pancho Villa, Emeliano Zapata and Modero he never would have come to power. The book ends soon after at the dawn of WWII. I now need a book that goes from Mexico's Independence to the fall of Diaz.
August 7, 2015
I wanted a quick intro to the Mexican Revolution and civil wars but this was too quick. There's a decent amount of information in the first 20 pages or so, but the rest of the book is hard to follow. There are a lot of names and the author doesn't do anything to help keep them straight. She also mentions things but doesn't explain when they happened, no year, not much context. And the writing... how did this get past an editor? There's only 102 pages of text and I still couldn't read the whole thing. There are a ton of photos, though.
May 7, 2008
The best comprehensive book on the Mexican Revolution. Wonderfully told, scholarly and a good read.
April 19, 2012
A concise history of the Mexican Revolution of 1910, with 184 photographs, written in 1943. Highly recommend.
July 21, 2012
Not me. Wonderful book. Luckily the lady with my name was an incredible author.
April 6, 2014
I wish this was a full-blown history and not just an engaging photo book.
February 24, 2016
Great illustrated history of the Mexican Revolution 1910 to 1920. If you are interested in learning about the Revolution, this is the book to start with.
July 15, 2009
One of the best books I have read about the Mexican Revolution.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews