Álvaro Obregón: Power and Revolution in Mexico, 1911-1920

by Linda Biesele Hall

The Mexican Revolution produced some romantic and heroic figures. In Mexico at the time, however, one man loomed large as the embodiment of revolutionary goals and the one leader able to take the country from strife into peace. That man was Alvaro Obregón.

Less well-known to North Americans than his contemporaries and sometime allies Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa, Obregón eventually formed the first stable government of post-revolutionary Mexico. Stories of his daring and near-invincibility abounded as he led revolutionary forces against the usurper Huerta, then against the "bandit" elements within the Revolution itself. Throughout the period of fighting, however, Obregón was shrewdly building coalitions of support and espousing concrete programs that would allow him to institutionalize power when the fighting ended.

This political and social study of Obregón's rise to power, based on extensive archival research and interviews with revolutionary participants, provides an important perspective not only on the Revolution itself but also on its consolidation in the hands of an extraordinary leader. Students of Mexican history will find the book indispensable; others will find it a fascinating story of a man, a people, and how they lay the bases of peace in the midst of war.

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Linda B. Hall was Distinguished Professor of History and Regents Professor at the University of New Mexico.

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impressive book from a historian I had never heard of before. There was a great deal of information here but it seems as if the author limited her sources to a couple of memoirs and Womack's Zapata biography. The author's admiration of Obregon was too apparent at times especially when she discussed Obregon's rupture with the Carranzanistas. I probably would have rated this book higher had I had a sense of closure in the end. The history ends abruptly upon Obregon's claiming the presidency. There was nothing mentioned beyond 1920, not even his assassination. In that sense it seemed more like an academic thesis rather than a biography. Still it is well written and I recommend it for anyone studying the Mexican Revolution.

[Marcos Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s missing a couple years at the end…for the closure. Felt it missed out on some depth on the break with Carranza too still thorough and a great reference