The General and the Jaguar: Pershing's Hunt for Pancho Villa: A True Story of Revolution and Revenge

Just a little over a hundred years ago and the world was so very different.Many of my years have been in the southwest US. Reading this, and other works such as Empire of the Summer Moon, I try to conceive of my life, if born then. Life was more difficult, there was very protection for the individual, people had fewer possessions, worked much harder for so much less.I had heard of Villa’s incursion into the US and General Pershing’s subsequent pursuit. I was aware that things were very brutal in Mexico at the time, as well as some few details. But this book makes real to me the real people of that time. It does not only recount people, events, and details with a colorful, deft palette. What it does uncommonly well for this type of book, is to take us into the lifestyles and lives of those involved from all sides. It does not ‘take sides’, portraying peoples, countries, policies, etc with boa’s or favoritism. No one was just and blameless and of perfect morals. Arguably the worst actors may have bad motivations, but we’re not portrayed as evil.This book of for those who want, yes, a very interesting read, but one very well researched and deeply informed, and of a time and events from which we can gain wisdom, as we strive to be good citizens of this great Constitutional democracy that is so very precious and requires a citizenry of clear eyes and good intent.There is much pleasure to be had here, and much to be learned as well.

An interesting read for a good recounting of the events leading up to the Villa raid on Columbus, NM, and the ensuing pursuit by US Army troops into Mexico. The back story of the Mexican revolution events leading up to 1916, is briefly, but clearly outlined. Brief biographical sketches of the major figures, including the victims of the raid, are well presented as well as anecdotal accounts of their activities leading up the raid. The reader will gain a good understanding of events, people, and the issues confronting the US troops trying to pursue and capture Villa in a hostile land, while walking a diplomatic tightrope with the various competing elements of the de facto revolutionary Mexican government.The book reads much like a novel, flowing smoothing through the events in a very cogent description of chaotic events. This would be a good introductory book to the topic, and the reader looking for much more biographic detail and historical analysis would probably want to follow up with additional reading of more focused biographies of the various participants.

The General and the Jaguar is an absorbing and instructive book. It reads like a novel and is hard to put down.The first part of this book provides an informative survey of the history of Mexican governance in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Here Welsome sets the foundation for next part of the story - the events prior to and following the raid on Columbus, New Mexico in 1916.She provides an interesting and compelling story of reprisal and politics that enlightened me regarding US-Mexico relations. She illuminates the mind-set of men caught up in their own egos while devastating the lives of innocents around them.The final section of her book ties up the loose ends.The General and the Jaguar is a very readable composite of a lot of research and data about this part of US history. It provides information but doesn't push you to conclusions.I highly recommend this to anyone interested in US history that may have only a cursory understanding of US-Mexico relations.

An absolutely fascinating and detailed report on the border wars, with the added history of Mexico made easy and interesting. I ordered it because my grandfather served with the army in Texas and Europe and my father was born in El Paso at the time. The verbal pictures painted of the desert and towns was absolutely mind blowing. It would make an amazing TV series.

Not the greatest history, biased toward Pershing but it does have some interesting information

An interesting account of the Columbus NM. Raid. The events leading to the raid were descriptive and held your attention. The many side stories of individuals who participated in the hunt for Villa were well told and seemed very objective. For those serious students of the Mexican Revolution, a MUST read to fill in the gaps of the historic events.

The author has done her homework with this fine piece of history. I have read much on this subject and was hoping to find out more details about the Punitive Expedition mounted by America to track down Pancho Villa and his bandit army. She paints Villa and the other leaders of the 'Revolution' as most of them were: brutal killers seeking wealth and power and a few betterment of the people of Mexico. Lots of details about the Villiast raid on Columbus, NM, the numerous skirmishes between US troops and various factions of Mexican forces of all sorts.Plenty of drama and some good information about Villa's background, experiences during the revolution as well as those of Obregon, Madero, Zapata and many others.Worth reading as her style is easy to follow and sometimes humerous and insightful.I give it thumbs up. Enjoy as it might lead the reader to seek more information about this fascinating period of US/Mexican history.

Well written history of Villa's attack on the sleepy border town of Columbus and the subsequent efforts of Pershing and the US army to hunt him down.Gives the back story of many of the men and women who feature in the story, including many of the town's inhabitants who had to fight or flee for their lives, giving them substance and breathing real life into the tale of the events before and afterwards.Highly recommended.

A very detailed, and highly entertaining story of a passionate and historical figure.