Song of Freedom

Tim Simmons

Des 2010 · Books in Motion · Kimesimuliwa na Kevin Foley

Kuhusu kitabu hiki cha kusikiliza

The year is 1910 and two people dance at the edge of the whirlwind known as the Mexican Revolution. Sonia de la Ontiveros is a beautiful young woman who comes to Mexico City from Sonora to be the nanny for her young cousins. Joaquin Cota is a vaquero in Chihuahua. Sonia’s uncle is an associate with Francisco Madero, the man who instigates the revolt from the oppressive regime of Porfirio Diaz. Sonia becomes involved with Captain Ramon Carvajal, a handsome young army officer but he is the epitome of the plastic, tainted society Madero struggles against. Joaquin is busy on the ranch where his family has lived for generations. He is not politically minded but he knows it is not fair that only foreigners own land in Mexico, such as the ranch where he and his family slave away yet they slip further into debt due to overbearing taxation. Revolution finally erupts. Madero’s forces drive Diaz out of Mexico. But it is costly for Sonia. She has to break off with Ramon as she accepts the reality of their polarity. And her uncle is killed. Joaquin learns there is a new president of Mexico...but it means little to him. He and his family are still peons on a ranch that belongs to a foreigner. Sonia returns to her family in Sonora. A year and a half later, Sonia visits her former charges in Mexico City. Those who are displeased with Madero rise up, assassinate him and Victoriano Huerta, the next in a corrupt line, takes control. Sonia returns to Sonora, thoroughly discouraged. Revolutionaries strike the ranch in Chihuahua and Joaquin joins Pancho Villa’s Division of the North rather than fight them. Sonia becomes a secretary for Venustiana Carranza, the self-proclaimed leader of the northern revolutionary generals. She meets Lieutenant Rogelio de Puentes and falls hard for his intellect. At the same time, Joaquin rides with the Dorados, Villa’s elite bodyguard and the hammerhead of his legendary charges in battle. It is an exciting life...fighting battles during the day, drinking tequila and dancing with rainbow-skirted women at night. As the proverb goes, it is better to live six years with Pancho Villa and die than sixty as a slave. Still, Joaquin knows something or someone is missing; the white dove he regularly dreams about. He doesn’t know who she is but he knows she is out there. The revolution continues to whirl. Sonia learns Carranza is just as corrupt as Huerta. Rogelio is killed in battle. Sonia’s brother joins the Division of the North and she leaves Carranza’s staff and becomes a nurse. You knew it was going to happen. Sonia and Joaquin finally meet. Joaquin recognizes the dove of his dreams. Sonia is intrigued by the handsome Dorado. War is not gentle. Sonia’s brother is mortally wounded and she rushes him back to Sonora. Joaquin has to follow Villa. It appears the star-crossed lovers have lost each other. But, no, Sonia returns to her nursing after her brother dies. Joaquin is seriously wounded in battle and she comes across “her Dorado” as he lies unconscious on the operating table. He survives and she tends to him. Now they stick together. But Pancho Villa’s forces are on the run. Love grows between the two even under the most horrendous circumstances and they marry. They also recognize freedom, that for which they have fought for many years, is not soon coming to Mexico. After the Battle of Agua Prieta on the U.S. border, the two slip into the United States and begin their new life where freedom is a reality.