War on the Border

Villa, Pershing, the Texas Rangers, and an American Invasion

By: Jeff Guinn

Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon

An “engagingly written” (The Wall Street Journal) account of the “Punitive Expedition” of 1916 that brought Pancho Villa and Gen. John J. Pershing into conflict, and whose reverberations continue in the Southwestern US to this day.

Jeff Guinn, chronicler of the Southwestern US and of American undesirables (Bonnie and Clyde, Charles Manson, and Jim Jones) tells the “riveting and supremely entertaining narrative” (S.C. Gwynne, New York Times bestselling author of Empire of the Summer Moon) of Pancho Villa’s bloody raid on a small US border town that sparked a violent conflict with the US. The “Punitive Expedition” was launched in retaliation under Pershing’s command and brought together the Army, National Guard, and the Texas Rangers—who were little more than organized vigilantes with a profound dislike of Mexicans on both sides of the border. Opposing this motley military brigade was Villa, a guerrilla fighter who commanded an ever-changing force of conscripts in northern Mexico.

The American expedition was the last action by the legendary African American “Buffalo Soldiers.” It was also the first time the Army used automobiles and trucks, which were of limited value in Mexico, a country with no paved roads or gas stations. Curtiss Jenny airplanes did reconnaissance, another first. One era of warfare was coming to a close as another was beginning. But despite some bloody encounters, the Punitive Expedition eventually withdrew without capturing Villa.

Today Anglos and Latinos in Columbus, New Mexico, where Villa’s raid took place, commemorate those events, but with differing emotions. And although the bloodshed has ended, the US-Mexico border remains as vexed and volatile an issue as ever.

Startling border war only 100 years ago (& I didn’t know)

I chose this book to learn about Poncho Villa, “Robin Hood” of Mexico, because he was a thorn in the side of Woodrow Wilson during the buildup to WW1. You also learn about Gen. Pershing and raucous Lt Patton. More importantly, Mexican-USA relations is discussed which reveals American abuse not dissimilar to other dark skinned peoples. This subject should be taught in schools along with African-American, Native American, & Asian studies.

Awesome book

Loved the book. A balanced and fair treatment of the subject. Recommended for all levels of subject knowledge.

Outstanding ! MUST READ-Listen

I was mesmerized! I thought I was well aware of the facts regarding the pre-WW1 US Pershing- Mexican incursion from readings and TV documentaries, and therefore almost did not download this book. BOY was I wrong! This book gives much more context to the event then I ever imagined. I had not heard about the "de San Diego Plan" or the fact that there were numerous on going border "incidents" both before and after Villa's Columbus raid and Pershing's Mexico invasion .This book provides the political, social and personality context better then anything I have thus far read or scene on any visual documentary. In fact the media documentaries thus far should be ashamed of their superficial manner in which they treat this subject! Caveat! I am not associated in any way nor know or am connected with the author, narrator, publisher or amazon-audiobooks. I make this review as a simple audio-reader as yourself.

Mexico, America, & WWI

This is an excellent work regarding Mexican/American relations during the Mexican Revolution and WWI. It’s focus remains on Pancho Villa and Pershing’s interactions in 1916, but also provides sufficient background and after story. This was an interesting work to listen to regarding these topics.

Great story, good performance, except...

The narrator kept mispronouncing adjutant as ad-JOO-tant, which drove me nuts. Other than that, fascinating look at how close we came to war with Mexico.