Prologue Summary

The Death of Artemio Cruz is a sweeping novel of Mexican history in the 20th century, viewed through the prism of one man's life. Cruz is an idealistic young soldier fighting in the Mexican Revolution dedicated to redistribution of land so that peasants may enjoy a decent life. By 1919, the successful revolution has deteriorated into a series of confusing and bloody skirmishes between rival rebel factions that never truly end until 1942. Cruz betrays a fellow soldier and blackmails the man's sister into marriage, ensuring his position in a wealthy land-owning family. He quickly becomes the type of wealthy, arrogant, unprincipled scoundrel that he fought against during the revolution. Throughout his long life, Cruz continues to accumulate wealth by way of corruption, betraying his family, lovers and former comrades alike. Eventually, Cruz's lust for wealth results in the death of his beloved only son...