Mexico’s Revolution Then and Now

This timely book that marks the bicentennial of Mexico’s independence from Spain as well as the centennial of the Mexican Revolution provides a context for understanding the anti-imperialist resistance of the Mexican people and the current capitalist crisis that is creating economic refugees of hundreds of thousands of Mexicans. A passionate, beautifully written work that clarifies, informs, and calls for action.

—Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, author of

Roots of Resistance: A History of Land Tenure in New Mexico

Historian and political activist Jim Cockcroft, inspired by the Mexican revolutionary tradition from Magón to the contemporary Zapatistas, describes Mexico’s trajectory from the Revolution of 1910 to the upheavals of today. Bringing to bear both his scholarship and his own involvement in Mexican and immigrant issues, Cockcroft describes the peasant revolution and labor radicalism, women’s and indigenous movements, as well as the migrants’ struggles and international alliances which constitute the main currents of Mexican history and represent the wellsprings of the Mexican future. It is a radical scholar’s guide to radical Mexico and well worth the read.

—Dan La Botz, Editor,

Mexican Labor News and Analysis

This book is very important for its explanation of the influence of the ideas behind Mexico’s revolution yesterday and today. It is a work that professors and students interested in the Mexican Revolution must consult.

—Dr. Enrique Florescano, National Coordinator of

Historical Projects for the National Council

for Culture and the Arts, Mexico

This new work by one of the leading Mexicanist scholars of our time will fuel the continuing debate of progressive forces about the meaning of the great rebellion. There are chapters on the current situation in Mexico, the war against the drug lords, the influence of the conservative Catholic hierarchy, and the reactionary National Action Party in power and its infiltration by disguised fascists. Cockcroft describes the fight back of women, labor, students, peasants, intellectuals, the original peoples who speak ancient languages, and Mexican immigrants in the USA. This book is a landmark in the centennial celebration of the Mexican Revolution—a great, lively read and a must for all libraries plus college courses on Latin America, Mexico, and U.S. foreign policy.

—Ross Gandy, Professor of Historical Sociology

National Autonomous University of Mexico,

author of Marx and History

An intellectual, cultural and socio-economic history, enriched by biographical entries, Dr. Cockcroft’s book constitutes an unrivalled classic on the socio-political and ideological roots of what is happening today, the Centenary of the revolution in Mexico. Moreover, it’s a literary piece most satisfying to read.

—Dr. Jacinto Barrea Bassols,

Director of Historical Studies,

National Institute of Anthropology and History, Mexico

By an eloquent historian, this work is key to understanding both the Mexican Revolution and the social movements which it inspired, from the Magonistas to the twenty first century Zapatistas.

—Dr. Devra Weber, Department of History,

University of California, Riverside