Villa and Zapata: A History of the Mexican Revolution

The Mexican Revolution (1910-19) was the first social upheaval of the 20th century, surpassed only in historical importance by the Russian and Chinese revolutions. Tierra y libertad (Land and Liberty) was the watchword of the revolutionaries who fought a succession of autocrats in Mexico City. The two greatest rebel leaders were Francisco (Pancho) Villa and Emiliano Zapata, who, like Nelson and Wellington, were destined to meet only once. Villa was the Revolution's great military hero, but Zapata was its soul and the only rebel whose revolt was aimed at a genuine transformation of Mexican society. The two reached the peak of their careers in 1914 when they met triumphantly in Mexico City. Failing to make common cause, they gradually fell victim to their great rivals, Obregun and Carranza.