The Texas Rangers and the Mexican Revolution: The Bloodiest Decade, 1910-1920 - Softcover

Harris, Charles H; Sadler, Louis R

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0826334849 ISBN 13: 9780826334848

Publisher: University of New Mexico Press, 2007

Synopsis

The decade 1910-1920 was the bloodiest in the controversial history of one of the most famous law enforcement agencies in the world--the Texas Rangers. Much of the bloodshed was along the thousand-mile Texas/Mexico border because these were the years of the Mexican Revolution. Charles Harris III and Louis Sadler shed new light on this turbulent period by uncovering the clandestine role of Mexican President Venustiano Carranza in the border violence. They document two virtually unknown invasions of Texas by Mexican Army troops acting under Carranza's orders. Harris and Sadler suggest the notorious "Plan de San Diego," usually portrayed by historians as a plot hatched in South Texas, was actually spawned in Mexico by Carranza. This irredentist conspiracy, which called for the execution of all Anglo males sixteen and older and the establishment of a Hispanic republic, was designed to cause a race war between Hispanics and Anglos. One of Carranza's goals was to end the support being given by border residents to his rival Pancho Villa. The "Plan de San Diego" caused the governor of Texas to order the Texas Rangers to wipe out the insurgency along the border. This resulted in an estimated 300 Hispanics being killed by the Rangers and others without benefit of judge and jury. The Texas Rangers and the Mexican Revolution is the first Ranger history to utilize Mexican government archives and the voluminous declassified FBI records on the Mexican Revolution. "There is no other book that focuses on the Texas Rangers in the period 1910-1920. This will be the standard book on the Rangers for this period and probably the most thoroughly researched book on the Rangers in any period."--Alwyn Barr, Professor of History, Texas Tech University "Harris and Sadler provide the first definitive evaluation of the Texas Rangers and their activities during the first and most violent decade of the Mexican Revolution, 1910-1920. This is a really outstanding, important work"--William H. Beezley, Professor of Latin American History, University of Arizona

About this title

Product Description:

Rare Book

Review:

"A thorough introduction to the real history of the Texas Rangers."

"This balanced and well-written account is recommended for all libraries in Texas as well as Western collections."

"This book does not glorify the Rangers. . . Rather, it suggests that a considerable gap exists between the myth of the Texas Rangers and the reality."

""The Texas Rangers and the Mexican Revolution" represents an important addition to the scholarship on the history of Texas, Mexico, and the Borderlands."

"İHarris and Sadler¨ present a highly detailed recounting of the activities of the various Ranger companies, their commanders, and the individual law enforcement officers involved in these events. . Recommended. General and undergraduate collections and up."

"The research by the authors is impeccable and their conclusions are based on notarized and verifiable documents and records. As part of our western history, this book will be a prized addition to the library of western history readers, students, and teachers."

"This is one of the best works of western history I have ever read. I quite literally could not put this book down, and took extensive marginal notes throughout. Everyone I know in Texas is now devouring this book. "The Texas Rangers and the Mexican Revolution" is for anyone who likes a fast-paced, exciting story well told."

"The unique and in ways controversial activities of the Texas Rangers in this complex, volatile, and fluid situation is the subject the authors hone in on. Harris and Sadler. . bring to light little-known dimensions of the historical events, which continue to affect relationships and feelings between white Texans and Hispanics in the area."

"This book is a must-read for those who follow Texas history in general and Texas Ranger and Mexican Revolution history in particular. . "The Texas rangers and the Mexican Revolution" is highly recommended. It provides excellent reading, is accurate history and covers the era from not only the Texas Ranger but also the Mexican Revolution viewpoints."

"Relying on historical records from both sides of the Rio Grande. . this volume of more than 500 pages doesn't miss a trick. If you happen to be a student of Texas Ranger history or to have descended from one you'll likely find it heady reading. To the casual student of history, its value is to clear political fog that has enveloped this critical period."

About this edition

• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0826334849
• ISBN 13: 9780826334848
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 688