Summary of Intervention!: The United States and the Mexican Revolution, 1913-1917 by John S. D. Eisenhower

Uncover the chaotic and entertaining saga of US involvement in the Mexican Revolution through Eisenhower's 'Intervention!'. A historical ride awaits!

Welcome to the wild ride that is Intervention! by John S. D. Eisenhower, a book that dives headfirst into the US's tango with the Mexican Revolution. Spoiler alert: it's not just a dance; it's more of a chaotic mosh pit where Uncle Sam tries to throw his weight around, and it doesn't always end well, much like your last family reunion.

Let's set the stage: it's the early 1910s, and Mexico is like that one friend who can't stop starting fights at parties. The Mexican Revolution kicks off in 1910, and suddenly, everyone wants to take a swing at the establishment. In come the big guns-the United States, feeling all sorts of heroic and meddlesome, ready to intervene because, why not? They're definitely not trying to protect their economic interests or anything sneaky like that (wink, wink).

Eisenhower lays out how the US, led by an assortment of presidents who were about as stable as a three-legged goat, finds itself hopping into messy affairs in Mexico. First, we meet Victoriano Huerta, the guy who takes over the Mexican government in one of those "hold my beer" coups. The US, with a big, fat thumbs down on Huerta, makes it their mission to support his rivals. This is where the plot thickens and the narrative gets as tangled as your favorite pair of earbuds.

Throughout the pages, prepare for an abundance of fabulous characters. You've got Venustiano Carranza, who seems like a nice enough guy until he isn't, and Pancho Villa, the revolutionary outlaw who could easily have his own reality show titled "Keeping Up with the Revolutionaries." The book captures the rollercoaster of US involvement, from arms dealing to awkward diplomatic meetings, where everyone pretends to be best buds while side-eyeing each other like they're at a high school cafeteria.

As the Revolution escalates, Eisenhower reveals how US intervention is anything but smooth sailing. Picture it: the US is this awkward kid at a school dance, trying to impress without stepping on too many toes. They aim to stabilize Mexico, but instead, they create a series of blunders that would make even the clumsiest of dancers blush. From the notorious Tampico Affair, which leads to the US sending troops to the port city, to the great Punitive Expedition led by General Pershing to catch Villa after he raided Columbus, New Mexico-it's like one giant game of tag that turns into an international incident. Oh, and spoiler alert: it doesn't end with a happy ending for most involved.

Eisenhower does a commendable job in detailing how the United States not only affected the political landscape of Mexico but also shaped the relationships between nations in a complex web of motives-economic interests, territorial expansion, and, let's not forget, good old-fashioned American exceptionalism. He brings together military strategies, political cartoons, and just enough awkward diplomatic quotes to make your head spin.

By the end of Intervention!, you're left wondering if the relationship between the US and Mexico is more like a rom-com turned tragedy. So, grab some popcorn or perhaps a margarita, and dive into this historical rollercoaster filled with the kind of historical drama that makes soap operas look tame. Who knew intervention could be this entertaining?

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.