Santa Anna of Mexico - by Will Fowler (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Building on recent historiography, this is a breakthrough study of Santa Anna.--S. F. Voss, Choice

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.

Review Quotes

"[Santa Anna of Mexico] is carefully documented and well-written. Historians of Mexico on both sides of the border should read this excellent effort."--Joseph A. Stout, Jr., Journal of Arizona History

"Building on recent historiography, this is a breakthrough study of Santa Anna."--S. F. Voss, Choice-- (11/1/2008 12:00:00 AM)

"Drawing on archives in Mexico, Spain, Britain, and Texas as well as published sources, Fowler supplies a much-needed corrective to existing impressions of Santa Anna with this balanced and well-written work."--Library Journal-- (11/15/2007 12:00:00 AM)

"Fowler has written an unsurpassed biography of one of Mexico's most famous leaders. Everyone with an interest in Mexican history should read it."--Donald F. Stevens, Journal of Latin American Studies

"Santa Ann of Mexico is a well-research and clearly written biography that provides an appreciation for the political complexity and volatility of Mexico and the man who led the nation during this turbulent period."--Ana Luisa Martinez-Catsam, Journal of Southern History

"This biography is a marvellous introduction to Santa Anna's life and times."--Matthew Brown, Bulletin of Latin American Research

"This is a detailed biography for those with a passion for Mexican history, Texas history and American relations with Mexico."--Cmdr. Youssef Aboul-Enein, Waterline-- (11/19/2009 12:00:00 AM)

"This reevalution of Antonio López de Santa Anna is long overdue given the sophistication of our understanding of Mexico's turbulent decades following independence in 1810. . . .This biography will become obligatory text for students of the period that will also hold the attention of the casual reader."--Michael Ducey, A Contracorriente

"Superb. . . . Fowler has produced an elegantly-written and engaging study about one of Mexico's most notorious and misunderstood leaders. His evenhanded assessment of Santa Anna as more than just a power-hungry, opportunistic, and corrupt politician makes this biography a most welcome and valuable addition to Mexican historiography."--Journal of Military History-- (1/30/2008 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Will Fowler is a professor of Latin American studies at the University of St. Andrews. His books include Mexico in the Age of Proposals, 1821-1853; Tornel and Santa Anna: The Writer and the Caudillo, Mexico, 1795-1853; and Latin America since 1780.