Good books and other resources.

[Sean Clark]

Thought I'd start a thread for a place to recommend books and other resources for the Mexican Revolution.

It's a conflict of which I know virtually nothing about other than the odd film. I've heard a book by Blake be recommended. A good general history is needed.

Any and all recommendations welcome.

[John Watson]

I'm fairly ignorant on the subject but as part of a project to do the Mexican Revolution in 20mm (Crush The Gringos) I bought the Osprey which seems to cover most of what I wanted. The usual thing. A brief history, army organisation, weapons and uniforms. Usual b and w photos plus colour plates. So it would seem to be a good starting point.
John

[martin goddard]

Good idea Sean.
The political and leadership movements are the most complicated of any war(s).

I would suggest concentrating only on the entire career of Zapata.
Zapata reveals much about the causes of war.
It makes the wars seem more logical.

Then consider each offshoot (Heurta, Madero, Villa), using Zapata as an anchoring spine (until he dies).
There are also many really interesting field commanders.

Initially set aside the US border and Vera Cruz interventions because this is mainly about the Mexicans.

I mention this in case it get a bit "Falklands".. i.e. 
"(ideas person) martin can you sculpt some SAS, SBS, marines, US Seals and paras?
(martin) Do you need any Argentinian foot soldiers?
(ideas person). Not really, maybe a pack or two.

Admittedly I do dwell  upon the "Mexican" theme.
This is because once US packs begin, folks will want a huge range of US troop and sailors. The Mexicans then become background characters, in front of which the game becomes a US v anonymous natives.


martin

[Nick]

All I've got is the Osprey book (from the Elite range) - Mexican Revolution.
It is okay - brief outline of the wars, armies and some uniform info'.

Nick

[Antioch (Bob)]

I started with the Osprey book...my thought is it is not bad but can leave you a less certain as to who was really on a "side". There really seem to be a number of these factions & it seems they did shift.

There is a US made set of rules that recently came out I bought...and after reading I am not so sure about as rules... but there description of the various factions is really good...unfortunately one can't show them. Will refrain from the name but you can find them if you dig on the Minatures pages site you should find it.

The Blake book "Armies of the Mexican Revolution", put out by Partizan press.....appologies if this has been mentioned before.

Martin I can appreciate what you say about the demand for sculpts tipping to the US....  but a Mexican suggestion... have a look at the picture in the Blake book on pg 17. (Appears to be a deserter manning a colt machine gun on a train with what appears to be revolutionary troops). Seems to sum up much of the period...

Using PP's SCW rules... what an interesting idea....

Bob

[Stewart 46A]

I know very little about the conflict so I have ordered the Osprey book 'Mexican revolution ' hoping to throw some light on it.


Stewart

[Leslie BT]

There is lots of information on the internet.

Its a war in many forms with various key players changing sides etc.

With the US dipping in and a flue epidemic to add interest.

[Mike Blake]

I could post the bibliography from the book here? Or some edited highlights.

As it happens, now the books done I do have quite a few to dispose of...

[Stewart 46A]

I have looked at some of the battles, internet just seams to give a broad brush overview but I will keep looking.
If the games weekend goes ahead we could discuss new ideas in the evening with a nice glass of rum.

Stewart

[Sean Clark]

Mike,

Where can we get hold of a copy of your book?

Regards
Sean

[Colonel Kilgore]

Sean,

I found details here:

https://www.caliverbooks.com/Partizan%20Press/partizan_MexRev.shtml

Simon

[Antioch (Bob)]

Highly recommended too.

[Leslie BT]

A very simple outline found on the internet.

The Mexican Revolution is one of, if not the most important events in Twentieth-Century Mexican history, completely changing the sociopolitical fabric of society. For over three decades, Mexico had been ruled by what is known as el Porfiriato, in other words, the presidency of General Porfirio Díaz, until he was forced to resign in 1911. Shortly before that, after fixing an election result in 1910, the people were mobilized against Díaz.
During his presidency, Díaz had made many enemies, and his successor was one of them, the liberal Francisco I. Madero who tried to introduce democracy and freedom of press and association. Following such a long lasting period of rule by one person, a political vacuum was created in which different political elites and social groups fought to take power. Madero had enemies on all sides of the political spectrum – some viewed him has too reactionary, and others as too liberal revolutionary – so he was forced to resign alongside his vice president in a coup in February 1913, with both being assassinated soon after. The counter-revolutionary General Victoriano Huerta took over after the coup and ruled in a dictatorial manner until July 1914, when he resigned and went into exile after a series of defeats of his Federal Army.
By this point, Mexico was submerged in a full-scale civil war. A coalition of revolutionary forces would take over the capital and therefore seized power, but not for long as they failed to land an agreement to form a government. The conservative Venustiano Carranza, who had been instrumental in the coup against Huerta in 1913 and had support from the USA, emerged triumphant from the chaos of the civil war, defeating the famous revolutionaries Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata along the way. With the signing of the Constitution of 1917, the situation would stabilize for some time. Following the signing of the Constitution and up to 1920, clean-up operations were carried out and agrarian revolutionary leaders were assassinated or imprisoned. The general atmosphere of turmoil and uncertainty benefited radical ideas and banditry alike. The ten years of continuous warfare would leave between 1 and 2 million dead Mexicans, including military and civilian deaths.

[sjwalker51]

Mike, a bibliography would be great.

Did I read (here?) that you're also doing a wargamers guide to the period? If so, when and where will it be released?

Simon

[martin goddard]

Hello Mike
A very big welcome to the group. Be good to hear your voice on this  Mexican stuff especially.


martin