Plutarco El'as Calles and the Mexican Revolution »

The only substantive study of Plutarco El'as Calles and the Mexican Revolution, this book traces the remarkable life story of a complex and little-understood, yet key figure in Mexico's history. JYrgen Buchenau draws on a rich array of archival evidence from Mexico, the United States, and Europe to explore Calles's origins and political trajectory, ultimately leading to his reformist, yet authoritarian presidency from 1924 to 1928. After his term as president, Calles continued to exert broad influence as his country's foremost political figure; indeed, many of the institutions and laws forged during his tenure survive today. Through this comprehensive assessment of a quintessential politician in an era dominated by generals, entrepreneurs, and educated professionals, Buchenau opens an illuminating window into the Mexican Revolution and contemporary Mexico.

Acknowledgments     ix
Glossary and Abbreviations     xi
List of Illustrations and Tables     xv
Chronology     xvii
Introduction     xxi
A Life Adrift     1
Seeking Order in Chaos     29
Strongman of Sonora     55
In the Shadow of the Caudillo     81
El Senor Presidente     111
Jefe Maximo of the Revolution     143
In the Twilight     173
Epilogue     201
Abbreviations Used in Notes     209
Notes     211
Bibliography     251
Index     269
About the Author     277