Barbarous Mexico

"Barbarous Mexico" by John Kenneth Turner is a compelling account of the conditions in Mexico during the late 1900s that ultimately led to the Mexican Revolution in 1910. The author, drawing from his own experiences and extensive travels, vividly depicts the widespread abuse of human rights in the tobacco and corn plantations of Central and Southeastern Mexico. This government-sanctioned brutality forced the peasants and working class to make a difficult choice between their own lives and joining the revolution. Turner exposes the grim reality of political and ethnic slavery, highlighting how the policies of President Diaz not only promoted but also sustained this oppressive system. Additionally, the book sheds light on the role played by foreign actors in endorsing these practices. However, despite the bleakness, Turner presents an inspiring vision of the Mexican people as a united force, suggesting hope for a brighter future.