Government

by B. Traven

Book Overview

The first of Traven's legendary Jungle Novels, Government depicts the political corruption that infected even the smallest villages in Mexico before the revolution. Readers who ignore the genius of B. Traven do so at their peril. --New York Times Book Review

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0809001160
• ISBN13: 9780809001163
• Release Date: January 1975
• Publisher: Hill and Wang
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Great Book!

It's an eye opening book about the origins of the State and how politicians enrich themselves on the backs of poor peasants. I had read this book about 12 years ago and I decided to buy it because it's such a treasure and because B. Traven's books are so hard to find.

"Government" presages the 1994 Zapatista rebellion

Amazing fact: in Government, published 1931, Traven has the rebels in Chiapas commandeer an army post while the troops are drunk on New Years Eve. This is exactly what happened on Jan. 1, 1994 when the Zapatista rebels seized the army base near San Cristobal de las Casas and procured their weapons. I don't know if the rebels took their cue from Traven, or if it was coincidence, but this is a case of reality imitating fiction.

Realistic depiction of power and humanity

B. Traven uses his prose to clearly illuminate the fallacies foisted upon people by those in power, who clearly believe that they belong in power. This is a story in the "The Jungle Stories" series of Traven, which describe the horrible abuses that the indigenous indians of southern Mexico (mainly around Chiapas, which is still an area of unrest today) by Mexican government officials who conspired with foreign capitalists to use the indians as cheap, throw-away labor all in the name of promoting Mexico as a great nation under the dictator Porfirio Díaz. Great for some, but a disaster for the poor.

A MUST READ

GOVERNMENT should be required reading in every High School civics class. Beyond its relevance to actual Mexican history, and its introduction to Traven's amazing Jungle series, it does an expert and entertaining job of describing the prevelant corruption that most, if not all, modern goverments eventually (often rapidly) employ. Also a must read also for all voters and elected officials.

Traven sees thru all the muck & mire and let's you in on it!

This was my first B. Traven book, and I am hooked. His satirical wit and narrative prose are well constructed. A simple story about early 20th century Mexico. Traven follows characters through the story and makes reading easy. The interesting thing is how true some of the same bureacracy and logic of those times is still with us in this modern day. After having traveled extensively in Mexico, it also gives me a better understanding of the plight of the indigenous people and the history behind their current governmental structure. The insight garnered is not country specific, however, as the same systems can be found in all walks of life, countries, and governments. Highly recommended!