<<The>> Skull of Pancho Villa and other stories

Overview: Legend has it that Pancho Villa’s grave was robbed—and his head stolen—in 1926. A gringo is credited with the theft, but Gus Corral’s great-grandfather was there too. As often happens to Chicanos, his role was given short shrift. But the Corral family has taken care of the skull for as long as Gus can remember. It’s a jolt when “Panchito” is stolen from his sister’s house. It’s the only connection to the old-timers of the family, so Gus knows he will have to get to the bottom of the disappearance, even if it means tangling with thieves and thugs. A Variety Of Characters--writers, Attorneys, Vietnam Vets, Cops, Soldiers--populate These Stories In Which Situations Frequently Aren't What They Seem. An Old Man Knows More About The Disappearance Of A Neighbor Than He Lets On. A Barber Is Involved In Something That Brings A Ski-mask Wearing, Gun-toting Hoodlum Into His Shop. And A Cop Accused Of Using Excessive Force Hasn't Told His Family The Whole Truth. Many Of These Gripping Stories Feature Mexican Americans Struggling With Their Circumstances As An Ethnic Minority In The United States. Others Cover Historical Events, From The Mexican Revolution To An Encounter With Jack Kerouac--provided By Publisher. No Hablo Inglés -- Texas Afternoon -- When The Air Conditioner Quit -- Outpost Duty -- White Devils And Cockroaches -- When Pigs Fly And Monkeys Talk -- The Skull Of Pancho Villa -- If We Had Been Dancing -- Neighborhood Watch -- Murder Movie -- Bad Haircut Day -- Backup -- The Smell Of Onions -- The Scent Of Terrified Animals -- The 405 Is Locked Down -- The Truth Is -- Why Boston Is His Favorite Town -- Honesty Is The Best Policy -- La Visión De Mi Madre -- Kite Lesson -- Sentimental Value -- Fence Busters. Manuel Ramos. This collection of stories from Manuel Ramos, the master of Chicano noir, spans his writing career, from the publication of his first story in 1986 to 2014.