The Search for the Soul of Mexico: Religion and Revolution

Religion and revolution reverberated through northern Mexico like the thunder and lightning of its wild and fierce storms, revealing the role religion played in the very struggle for the soul of Mexico. Many lived and died; lost in a thousand fields and unnamed pueblos, meaningless except to the few who knew and loved them, and who would never see them again. Whatever their cause, in the words of Philippians 2:8, they were faithful, even unto death.

This book is for those who love Mexico and who want a research-based, yet highly readable account of the role religion played in the history of Mexico from the conquest through the revolutionary years of the early twentieth century. Often lost among the myths were the millions driven by forces they couldn't comprehend. They were knights, bishops, castles, and yes, pawns in the revolutionary chess matches that nearly resulted in the checkmate of Mexican civilization.

Phil Stover has created a new edition of his award-winning book Religion and Revolution in Mexico's North. It is the first in a multi-volume set of books about the history of religion in Mexico. With a more readable font and new edits, this book is appropriate for a great backyard read or for a college-level supplementary textbook. It will engage the reader with a narrative style that is backed by 860 citations from 266 references. It is a history of the intersection of religion and revolution in the history of Mexico. Special focus is placed on northern Mexico and the Mexican revolution. Read about curanderos, cientнficos, Cristeros, revolutionaries, healers, and those who gave their lives as martyrs for their faith. Read about how the Catholic Church was the dominant force in Mexico for centuries and how it combined with the Spanish military in the conquest of Mexico. Learn about the role played by Masons as they wielded influence in Mexico. Often lost among the myths were the millions driven by forces they couldn't comprehend. They were knights, bishops, castles, and yes, pawns in the revolutionary chess matches that nearly resulted in the checkmate of Mexican civilization.
Volume Two is also available and focuses on external forces on northern Mexico; especially Anglo forces that sought to bring changes to Mexican society and culture. Future volumes will focus on central and southern Mexico, including indigenous religions. Each volume is titled The Search for the Soul of Mexico with an appropriate subtitle.

The Search for the Soul of Mexico: Religion and Revolution explains how popular religion has always been grounded in the Mexican village and how personal faith, more than priestly formalities drives local Mexican religion. The reader will learn about the personal faith of the major revolutionaries in the north of Mexico including Porfirio Dнaz, Francisco Madero, Pascual Orozco, Victoriano Huerta, Pancho Villa, Бlvaro Obregуn, Venustiano Carranza, and Plutarco Elнas Calles. Learn about all the forms of anticlericalism active in Mexico during the two Cristiada conflicts. The reader will better understand how religion worked, in many cases as a primary cause of the various revolutionary forces that rocked Mexico for decades. Discover why people were willing to be martyred, both as advocates for faith, and as those who fought to diminish its power.

It took Phil Stover years to write this book, but La Llorona has been crying for her children for centuries. She sobs for all those who have been lost in Mexico's turbulent past and present. Listen carefully, dear reader. Perhaps in the pages of this book you too will hear her cries!