This study tells the story of Mexico through the fascinating and sometimes volatile personalities that have shaped it, from the insurgent priests of the 19th century to the presidents of the 20th century. It presents an in-depth portrait of Mexico's religion, culture and politics. The book begins with late-19th-century leaders such as Porfirio Diaz, and moves through the Revolution and the agony of political unrest that continued through the 1940s. It then describes the development of the modern state and the contemporary period, from the presidencies of Camacho to Salinas. A postcript covers the presidency of Zedillo and the recent elections. The author believes that a critical question for the future is whether the political system will continue to centralize power in the presidency, thus perpetuating Mexico's history as a biography of power.