Behind my office chair at The Nugget is a large poster portrait of Emiliano Zapata. The Mexican Revolutionary’s hard eyes gaze out over the snowdrift of papers on my desk, his magnificent mustache bristling, haloed by his massive sombrero, a bandolier of cartridges across his chest. Most folks who come into my office don’t pay much attention to him; those who do often mistake him for Pancho Villa. Occasionally someone asks who he was and why he’s there. He’s there because I admire him.
Emiliano Zapata is the final subject in the Frontier Partisans Podcast series The Mexican Game of Thrones. The new episode is now available here and on Spotify and most other podcasting platforms. This one is an introduction into the life of the man I consider the best and truest of Mexico’s revolutionaries. In subsequent episodes, we’ll explore the tragic arc of his revolutionary career, and wrap up with some thoughts on the meaning and importance of the Mexican Revolution, and some book recommendations for further exploration of this fascinating episode in Frontier Partisan history.
Matthew says
I look forward to the episodes on Zapata!
Wayne says
No one could outdo Zapata’s sincerity, selflessness and authenticity as a revolutionary leader. Viva Zapata!
Josie says
I cannot imagine how anyone could mistake Zapata for Villa. To me there is nothing alike in their aspect, except maybe the mustache.
JimC says
Right?
Lynda A Sanchez says
Jim, am a bit behind on your pod casts and your info.
Just finished listening to the beginning of the Zapata series pod cast. In my study I have two images of Zapata and so we have him in common now too.
You do an excellent job to portray the various characters of history. Just wish images could be displayed.
Have you seen the movie Viva Zapata? Made in early 1950’s with a screenplay written by John Steinbeck it has the feel of Zapata much more than one would imagine. Marlon Brando as Zapata? Anthony Quinn plays his brother and here we go. It shows the culture, the determination and the sorrow of people always being pushed away from the land. Then there is the book Gringo Rebel that has a wonderful tale of Zapata and Rosa King’s Tempest over Mexico describes an Englishwoman’s view of the Zapata revolution. If you have not read them or viewed them please do. It is from Rosa King that we obtain the info about the famed woman spy for the revolution, Helene Pontipirani. That was a story I had published in TW about five years ago. Rosa describes it all and accurately too.
Thus, thanks for doing these and as we say in Spanish Andale!
eric bleimeister says
Jim Nice work. and I bought the same shirt. thanks for sharing the link
JimC says
Thanks Eric.
Benny Bence says
I feel that Marlon Brando’s portrayal of the Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata was dead on. What I COULDN’T understand though was why Brando was playing the 39-year-old revolutionary when he in fact was 28 years old at the time of the film in 1952. It’s a great film overall and some have even called it a Western. I doubt that’s what it is because I see it as more of a drama than I do a Western. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Westerns, but sadly that’s not what THIS film is. But it IS a great film nonetheless. And as for Marlon Brando? They couldn’t have picked a better actor. His performance should have earned him an Oscar. Viva Zapata!