Starting a big book about a subject as complex as the Mexican Revolution can be a chore, but McLynn turns a complex, socio-economic crisis into the tale of two arrogant men. For that reason, his book is priceless. Although reading a biography about Villa and Zapata can realistically just skim the surface of the Revolution, the verve with which thje author tackles his subjects, and the respect he clearly felt for them make his book an enjoyable read. Romanticism does cloud his judgement - although he presents Villa's banditry alongside his derring do - but that makes the book better. He escapes the rigorous pedantry which hangs like a millstone over so much history, but remains accurate.
This book is a great start for anyone approaching the Mexican Revolution, and a fascinating comparative biography of two flawed and contradictory characters.

I believe the contents in "Pancho" were very well researched, and the book includes much information I didn't know about one of my heroines. However, I firmly believe that the book could have used a good editor because of mistakes such as "maid of honor" appearing as "made of honor". This is one of about a dozen. Also, somewhere along the line, the author loses interest or something because the writing becomes sketchy, or perhaps the author is unable to progress smoothly from one very blatant item of research to another. In other words, she dumps research on us without having it flow--it simply becomes one statement after another with no connecting threads. The contents notwithstanding, the book was somewhat difficult to read through due to stopping along the way because of a misused word or sentences such as, "Pancho was livid with rage." Duh-h-h. Perhaps people are used to reading illiterate books these days, but I'm not. Unfortunately.

The author of this book needs remedial education concerning the basics of writing; there is no evidence the author has any writing skills at all.

I LIKE WAR STORIES BUT THIS IS JUST A RAMBLING OF NAMES AND EVENTS. ESSENTIALLY AN OLD VETERAN OF SEVERAL WARS GIVES A HARD TIME TO A YOUNG MAN BARELY OUT OF HIS TEENS WHO SEEMS TO SEE THE VET AS A HERO. THE LAD IS ANXIOUS TO SEE ACTION IN THE WAR IN MEXICO BUT THE VET JUST SEEMS TO NOT CARE WHETHER THE KID STAYS WITH HIM OR NOT. THIS BOOK SEEMS TO BE A STORY MORRELL SAW IN HIS DREAMS, NODDING OFF IN FRONT OF HIS TV WHILE WATCHING AN OLD WESTERN FROM THE EARLY 1930s. IF YOU LIKE MORRELL'S MYSTERY THRILLERS, SKIP THIS ONE!

David Morrell has never faild to amaze me. This book is no exception. Based on the true turn-of-the century conflicts with Panco Villa, Last Reveillie tells the story of the American soldiers who were sent into Mexico to clash with Villa and his troops. I'll admit, I wasn't sure if I'd like this book, so I put it off for a long time. I wish I hadn't. Last Reveillie is a powerful story of men at war. Morrell blends his exceptional knowledge of history with a crystal clear prose to create a true American classic. The charracters are rich. The action is first rate. It left me begging for more. Those not interested in military history or stories of warfare should probably stay away. Those looking for an astonishing tale of loyalty, honor, and sacifice in the harshest of places can do no better.

This story gives a good prespective of the difficulties encountered in the U.S. Army pursuit of Pancho Villa . It supports the theory that Villa didn't attack Columbus N.M. but took credit for the action . Many of the deeds of the cowboy scout are hard to beleive . Overall this book is worth reading for it's unusual prespective .

this book was a fun read for me because I love history. I wanted to learn more on the research done by Fred Bean. He offered up some interesting ideas about what was really going on in Mexico.

A collection of yarns, fairy tales, and ghost stories that should not be listed as an Historical work. I found this book boring and nonsensical. Maybe I was just having a bad day, but it added nothing to my knowledge or appreciation of Francisco Villa.

Mr. Pinchon certainly had a vivid imagination, to say the least. His book is more in the style of the old "Penny Dreadful" westerns than an accurate and historical look at the life of Villa. I'm sure that some of the events portrayed in this historical NOVEL may have actually happened, but this "inside story" is badly flawed. It is a very interesting book from the aspect of the tripe that the American Public was fed about Villa following his 1916 raid on Columbus, New Mexico. Pinchon was certainly no Zane Grey or Louis L'Amour, but if you like old-timey shoot-em-ups, you will probably enjoy this book.