Zapata Of Mexico

by Peter E. Newell

Emiliano Zapata, hero of the Mexican Revolution that overthrew the Porfirio Diaz dictatorship in 1910, died a victim of that revolution. With his call for `land and liberty', Zapata helped make and shape the revolution. The governments that followed the toppling of the Porfirio Diaz dictatorship (1877-1910), while professing a commitment to the country's campesinos (peasantry or farmworkers), fell short of meeting the demands of the zapatistas for land and political freedom. In the end, the campesino general became an outlaw in the post- revolutionary state. Ten years after he took up arms to defend the campesinos of his home state of Morelos, Zapata was assassinated by government emissaries in 1919. But his murder did not silence Zapata's Liberation Army of the South. Instead, cries of Viva Zapata emboldened the Zapatistas in their struggle to win back control of ancestral community lands. Even after the original zapatistas put away their guns, Zapata's name continued to inspire campesino militancy. Whenever campesinos have gathered to seek land or confront the State, the image and the name of Emiliano Zapata has been present. Campesino militants inevitably invoke his legacy to build support for their own causes. In the history of the campesino struggles, the memory of Zapata has never died. How this came about, and why it continues to be is the subject of this book. Zapata describes what Emiliano Zapata worked towards and what he and his companeros actually achieved in Morelos and southern Mexico between 1910 and 1920. It also includes a short account of the evolution of the ejidos and common lands of Mexico.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Politics

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Sugarpunksattack Mick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter Newell's book is a passionate introduction to Zapata and the Mexican revolution. Newell depicts Zapata as a man of the people and uncompromising. Zapata is shown to always refer to the zapatista 'Plan de Ayala' as his beginning and ending point rejecting personal enrichment unlike the other leaders. Although I loved the account given Newell's emphasis on the revolutionary morality of Zapata and the Zapatistas, this book does not provide the most readable account. I am nominally familiar with the Mexican revolution, but I was often confused as to what year events were taking place because Newell would only give the month and day. Regardless, Viva Zapata!!!!

[David Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather straight forward retelling of the life of Emiliano Zapata the famous guerilla fighter and revolutionary. Comes across as the most noble of all freedom fighters/revolutionaries. Many times he could have sold out his principles and "bought in" to a life of more comfort but he stayed true to his principles until the end. His demands of Tierra y Libertad were intransigent no matter who stood against him; the peasants must be free to work their land without interference from the state. You really feel the weight of the cause upon his back, many times victory was quickly turned into defeat when another treacherous snake turned on the peones.

[Henry Chavez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I must say the book was a letdown. I will be merciful and spare the reader trite comments. I just did not like the way it was written. There was very little about the man and too much about the cause. The book should have been titled the Mexican Revolution from the Perspective of The South Insurgency. Meh.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emiliano Zapata a Revolutionary stood for his people. Fought for their land against an oppressive dictatorship which sought to gain control of land for corporations.
Very good research, in depth analysis of the socio-económico environment that spurred the Partido liberal Mexicano
(PLM Liberal Mexican party)

This book was in-depth, historical and a reminder that we cannot comply to the demands of politicians without questioning it. Resisting where and when we can.
If Politicians do not hear the screams of the people than direct action is necessary and Zapata knew that. He commanded thousands of men to fight for what was theirs. To strive for Tierra y Libertad.
Zapata is and should be hailed a hero who fought for the right of the people under a series of Tyrants.

"I rather die on my feet than live on my knees"

[Bryce · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unreadable. I'm very confused as to how this book was printed and then somehow reprinted. I left my copy at a bus stop in san diego so thankfully I don't have to finish it but also I really want to share a few of the truly horrendous sentences that managed to make it into print. I'm not talking like a couple weird sentences or grammatical errors, I'm talking confusing nonsense on literally every page. Was really hoping for a good Zapata book after reading Bad Mexicans by Kelly Lytle Hernandez, guess I'll have to keep looking.

[Joe Xtarr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great subject. Awful writing. It feels like this book has been translated multiple times, without being proofread or edited. There's no rhythm or fluidity at any point; it reads like a bunch of bullet points on an index card. However, Zapata is a great enough subject to make you keep reading. I'll definitely be looking for better works on Zapatismo, and wouldn't recommend this other than for the fact that it's really short.

[foxfire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredible how boring this book is given how exciting the topic and period are. Not written very well, the timeframe is confusing at times, very little if any analysis given to the events described. Really only keeping this book on myself because the cover is a beautiful portrait by one of the best anarchist portrait artists of all time, Flavio Costantini.

[Petter Nordal · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are only going to read only one book about the Mexican Revolution, make it this one.

This brief book is engaging and easy to follow, but includes all the most significan issues, actors and events.

[Aaron Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, I read somewhat casually before but this book changed that. It is fantastic.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at this brief period with a particular eye to the importance of shared lands

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative but not well-written.

[Beorn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good if slightly dreary historical account of one of the most iconic figures of South American history and even political history.
It could have done with a significantly more personal touch rather than being as one-dimensional observational as it was but, as the book ably demonstrates, the conflict was a far more internecine, far less straight-forward affair than can easily be surmised in such a context.

A good entry-level book but one in which anyone more familiar with the history would find lacking a little. Good jumping off point though that's made me interested enough to go find a more in-depth, probably longer, analysis of the history.

I would have liked more of a focus or at least a brief study of the movement's modern day manifestation, the EZLN, rather than a simple side or two of a page which the reader is forced to make do with.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

not sure this is the best biography of Zapata, but I've just returned from Mexico and realized my near complete ignorance of Mexican history and this book lay on my shelf unread. It seems like a good account of the Mexican revolution that began in 1910.

[Jerry Borchardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although concise, ZAPATA OF MEXICO is a well written and researched chronicle of the Mexican revolution as it played out in southern Mexico. Informative, especially given that we Americanos are much more knowledgeable about the revolution in the north and Pancho Villa.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fascinating story, poorly written. Reads like a long pamphlet.

[Euge · Rating 3 out of 5]

The events are fascinating but the telling is awkward and disjointed.