Subcomandante Marcos Books

Subcomandante Marcos, the Zapatista leader, is one of Mexico's most brilliant contemporary writers. His work, usually posted on the internet, includes communiqus and a host of stories, that are colloquial and full of allusions; humorous and passionate; witty and tender. This translation into English (of a London kind) is colloquial too. It has tried to catch the author's sprightly speaking voice, avoiding over-reverent literalism and glum 'strugglese'. As Marcos says, 'We need to laugh a lot to create a new world, because if we don't, our new world will turn out square and it won't go round.' Zapatista Stories is in three parts. First, stories of the beetle knight errant, Don Durito de la Lacandona, the Zapatista Don Quixote and a Mexican cousin of the bossy caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland. Second comes old Antonio, Marcos's other mentor, with stories about the jolly, 'quarrelsome but wise' old Mayan gods. Lastly, there are the real lives of Zapatista children in the 'war against oblivion', ending with the long piece, The Devils of the New Century, that appeared in February 2001, just before the Zapatistas set out on their great march to Mexico City.

Set against the lush backdrop of the Chipas jungles, the story unfolds as old man Antonio, accompanied by his friend Subcomandante Marcos, encounters a vibrant macaw. This encounter sparks memories of a folk tale about the gods discovering the world's colors, weaving together themes of nature, friendship, and cultural heritage. The narrative explores the connection between personal history and myth, inviting readers to reflect on the significance of stories in shaping our understanding of the world.

The book, NOTES FROM THE JUNGLE, was begun by its author, Marcos (an anthropologist), in the 1990's along the banks of the Amazon River. The author presents his work in the form of a correspondence, a long letter, between himself and his reader. Due to the experiences of travel and study in his life he tries to explain the cultural reasons that often keep humans apart and why values are so influenced by other elements of culture. These values often remain incompatible between cultures leading to misunderstandings, hostility and war. His prognosis for mankind's future, perhaps controversial, is poor. But, he does offer a possible way forward.