Santa Anna of Mexico
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
Published: December 1, 2007
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 527
ISBN-13: 9780803211209
Subjects: American history; Cultural studies; History; History - General History; History: World; Historical - General; Latin America - Mexico; History / Mexico; Biography; Generals; Mexico; Presidents
Description: Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794-1876) is one of the most famous, and infamous, figures in Mexican history. Six times the country's president, he is consistently depicted as a traitor, a turncoat, and a tyrant--the exclusive cause of all of Mexico's misfortunes following the country's independence from Spain. He is also, as this biography makes clear, grossly misrepresented. Will Fowler provides a revised picture of Santa Anna's life, offering new insights into his activities in his bailiwick of Veracruz and in his numerous military engagements. The Santa Anna who emerges from this book is an intelligent, dynamic, yet reluctant leader, ingeniously deceptive at times, courageous and patriotic at others. His extraordinary story is that of a middle-class provincial criollo, a high-ranking officer, an arbitrator, a dedicated landowner, and a political leader who tried to prosper personally and help his country develop at a time of severe and repeated crises, as the colony that was New Spain gave way to a young, troubled, besieged, and beleaguered Mexican nation.--Publisher description.