Book DescriptionStarting with twenty-eight followers, Francisco Pancho Villa rose out of banditry to become a dynamic strategist who mastered the tactical use of a diverse array of weapons, including modern railroads and cavalry, to contest control of Mexico In his early days as a brigand, the peasantry idolized him because he often gave them одхсг the largesse of his raids on the wealthy haciendas His military career began in 1910 during the Mexican Revolution, and by the time of his defeat at the Battle ofCelaya in 1915 he commanded 15,000 horsemen Villa could be a generous patron to his loyal followers but a terrifying enemy He believed that those whom he defeated earned the "privilege" of being executed by his own hand During the bloodiest months of the Mexican Revolution, he even contended for control of the nation He could not be intimidated by anyone, including the U S Armys Punitive Expedition led by Gen John J Pershing, who was sent to capture Villa after his raids into New Mexico during 1916 He died as he lived, violently, the victim of an assassination squad in 1923 Robert Scheina analyzes this complex man and provides a solid overview of Mexicos political history against the fabric of social and cultural turmoil.  В издании2004 г 128 стр ISBN 1574885138.