[BOOK] Zapata of Mexico by Peter E. Newell (2005)

For a long time I have heard Emiliano Zapata being referred to as some important name in revolutionary history, but not until after reading this book do I know who and what he was and why is name is important. Newell has managed to deliver his story and the story of the ongoing fight in Mexico against those who don´t have anything and those who want to have everything, in a clear and very readable way without forcing a tome on the interested reader.

With the support of the state, big rancheros and capitalists take over land of peasants and villagers. The landless can choose between working for them, being in their debt or starve (just like the history of Iceland and many other places). Emiliano Zapata, working with village leaders, forms a army of peasants and they start fighting with the aim of taking back the land. The brutal violence of the state army makes more people join the revolutionary army and other armed groups form around Mexico going for the presidental palace in Mexico City. As in any war there are bloody battles, violence, death, hunger and pain but at some point Zapata and Pancho Villa meet in the presidential palace where Villa jokingly offers the presidential seat to Zapata. He answers that this seat should be burned “because everyone who sits there turns into the enemy of the people.”

Appendix to the book goes into history of Mexico and describes and this battle of the landless against the greedy remains an ongoing battle. Highly recommended. [Freedom Books/Active Distribution]
- Sigurður Harðarson