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Bolivar: American Liberator Paperback – April 8, 2014

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,093 ratings

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A brilliant biography that “reads like a wonderful novel but is researched like a masterwork of history” (Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs), this is the epic story of the famous South American general and statesman Simón Bolívar.

SIMÓN BOLÍ VAR —
El Libertador—freed six countries from Spanish rule and is still the most revered figure in South America today. He traveled from Amazon jungles to the Andes mountains, engaged in endless battles and forged fragile coalitions of competing forces and races. He lived an epic life filled with heroism, tragedy (his only wife died young), and legend (he was saved from an assassination attempt by one of his mistresses). In Bolívar, Marie Arana has written a sweeping biography that is as bold and as passionate as its subject.

Drawing on a wealth of primary documents, Arana vividly captures the early nineteenth-century South America that made Bolívar the man he became: fearless general, brilliant strategist, consummate diplomat, dedicated abolitionist, gifted writer, and flawed politician. A major work of history,
Bolívar not only portrays a dramatic life in all its glory, but is also a stirring declaration of what it means to be South American.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Finally, Bolivar gets the sweeping biography he deserves. He was the greatest leader in Latin American history, and his tale is filled with lessons about leadership and passion. This book reads like a wonderful novel but is researched like a masterwork of history.” -- Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs

“This is a magnificent story. Deeply researched and written with clarity, honesty, and verve, Marie Arana’s book tells the life of one of the greatest heroes and founders in world history.’” -- Gordon S. Wood, author of Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789–1815, Alva O. Way University Professor and Professor of History Emeritus at Brown University

“With the eye and ear of a novelist, Marie Arana chants the epic of Bolivar with love, zest, and compelling authority.” -- Walter A. McDougall, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and Alloy-Ansin Professor of International Relations, University of Pennsylvania

“Simon Bolivar has found the perfect biographer in Marie Arana, a literary journalist, brilliant novelist of South America, and wise historian as well. Her portrait of Bolivar is human and moving; she has written a powerful and epic life and times." -- Evan Thomas, author of Ike's Bluff: President Eisenhower's Secret Struggle to Save the World

“Most North American historians have mentioned [Bolivar] only in passing, usually making 'the George Washington of Latin America' reference. . . . That conception obviously needed correction in the form of a comprehensive biography that makes Bolivar’s life accessible to a large readership in the United States.
Bolivar is unquestionably that book. . . . Bolivar is magisterial in scope, written with flair and an almost cinematic sense of history happening. . . . A monumental achievement destined to win some major literary prizes.” -- Joseph J. Ellis ― Washington Post Book World

"Wonderful. . . . In Arana's energetic and highly readable telling, Bolívar comes alive as having willed himself an epic life. . . . She brings great verve and literary flair to her biography of Bolívar." -- Hector Tobar ―
The Los Angeles Times

"Arana offers a clear-eyed assessment of the ideals, alliances, and human frailties that drove Bolívar’s choices and shaped the Americas." ―
The New Yorker

“Inspired. . . . Arana ably captures the brash brilliance of this revered and vilified leader.” ―
Kirkus Reviews

“Arana is an indefatigable researcher, a perceptive historian, and a luminous writer, as shown in her defining, exhilarating biography of the great South American liberator Simón Bolívar.” ―
Booklist (starred review, Top 10 Biographies of the Year)

“This well-rounded work reveals not just an accomplished military tactician but also an able statesman. . . . An important contribution to Bolivarian studies.” ―
Library Journal (starred review)

"A fascinating biography of the charismatic military leader who sparked a revolution." -- Abbe Wright ―
O Magazine

Epic is a word used too often to describe lesser work, but Marie Arana’s marvelously readable Bolívar: American Liberator is a biography that earns its adjective.” -- David Walton ― The Dallas Morning News

“Thrilling, authoritative and revelatory, here at last is a biography of Bolivar, the maker of South America, that catches the sheer extraordinary unique adventure and titanic scale of his life with accessible narrative and scholarly judgement.” -- Simon Sebag Montefiore

“A gripping biography of an epic life.” -- David O. Stewart ―
Washington Independent Review of Books

About the Author

Marie Arana was born in Lima, Peru. She is the author of the memoir American Chica, a finalist for the National Book Award; two novels, Cellophane and Lima Nights; the prizewinning biography Bolivar; Silver, Sword, and Stone, a narrative history of Latin America; The Writing Life, a collection from her well-known column for The Washington Post; and LatinoLand. She is the inaugural Literary Director of the Library of Congress and lives in Washington, DC, and Lima, Peru.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster; Reprint edition (April 8, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 624 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1439110204
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1439110201
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.44 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.13 x 1.7 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,093 ratings

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Marie Arana
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www.mariearana.net

Marie Arana was born in Lima, Peru, the daughter of a Peruvian father and an American mother. Her latest book is a biography of the South American founder Simón Bolívar, "Bolívar: American Liberator," which was released in April 2013. Highly praised in the United States and Britain, it won the Los Angeles Times Book Award in 2014. Marie is also the author of an acclaimed memoir "American Chica," which described her bicultural childhood between North and South Americas. The book was a finalist for the National Book Award, the PEN-Memoir Award, and chosen best book of the year by several publications. Her novels, "Cellophane" and "Lima Nights," are dramatically different works, the first being a rich, lush satire of the Amazon jungle, the second being a stark, urban love story set in contemporary Peru; both were cited by numerous national publications as one of the best books of the year. Her book "The Writing Life," is a collection from her well-known column for The Washington Post, which explores the way writers think and work. Marie wrote the Latin American script for the film, "Girl Rising," which premiered in March 2013. Marie is the former editor in chief of "Book World" at The Washington Post and a senior consultant to the Librarian of Congress. You can find more information about her at www.mariearana.net.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,093 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the masterful research and detailed information presented in an accessible manner. The narrative provides a thorough account of Bolivar's life, with interesting details about his character development throughout his life. Overall, readers find the book insightful and useful for their knowledge of Latin American history and culture.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

104 customers mention "Readability"99 positive5 negative

Customers find the book engaging and easy to read. They appreciate the author's prose and ability to engage the reader. The book offers a fresh perspective on Bolivar's life and serves as an excellent biography with entertaining elements like the epilogue that explores society's views on him.

"...There are 3 things that make a good biography in my opinion: quality of the prose, interest in the subject of the biography and effective telling of..." Read more

"...Yet the book reads like a novel; once you start, you cannot put it down...." Read more

"...Bolivar's idealism, passion, and purpose is so grand that I feel cheated by public education, having never once heard his name in dozens of history..." Read more

"I very much enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a detailed and engaging account of Simón Bolívar’s life." Read more

93 customers mention "Writing style"93 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written with an interesting prose and articulate writing style. They appreciate the precise language and captivating story. The author captures the essence of Simon Bolivar, both good and bad, in an easy read that is clear-eyed and engaging.

"...There are 3 things that make a good biography in my opinion: quality of the prose, interest in the subject of the biography and effective telling of..." Read more

"...Her language is rich and precise. As soon as I read the first few pages of the introduction I knew I was about to read a masterpiece...." Read more

"As a trained historian, I found this book to be informative, well written, engaging and easily digestible...." Read more

"Best biography I've ever read. Arana has done a ton of research (see the extensive end notes), but this book is never dry or academic...." Read more

88 customers mention "Information quality"83 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the book's information quality. They find it informative and entertaining, with factual and interesting facts. The book provides insight into the subject of the biography and increases their understanding of Latin American history. It strikes the right balance between providing important historical detail while also keeping the material concise. Some readers consider it one of the best history books they have read.

"...a good biography in my opinion: quality of the prose, interest in the subject of the biography and effective telling of the person's life story...." Read more

"...Bolivar is one of the best history books I have ever read...." Read more

"As a trained historian, I found this book to be informative, well written, engaging and easily digestible...." Read more

"...formative years shaped him to despise the Spanish Crown and embrace Enlightenment ideals...." Read more

58 customers mention "Narrative quality"55 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the thorough narrative of Bolivar's life story. They find the biography effective in describing the person's experiences and providing an engaging history of the man. The book provides rich details about the events, making you feel like you are there. Readers describe it as captivating from beginning to end, with a well-researched and beautifully written narrative that takes them inside his mind and describes a life full of meaning.

"...prose, interest in the subject of the biography and effective telling of the person's life story. The writing in this book is SPECTACULAR...." Read more

"Maria Araña describes events with such clarity, it makes you feel you are there, living them in person. Her language is rich and precise...." Read more

"...of the (southern) New World is one of the most harrowing and inspiring stories I've come across in years...." Read more

"...reading this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a detailed and engaging account of Simón Bolívar’s life." Read more

30 customers mention "Character development"30 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides a detailed look at Simon Bolivar's life and challenges. They appreciate learning about his evolution from spoiled rich kid to heroic general and dictator. The book is described as gripping and beautifully written, portraying Bolivar as complex, human, flawed, and sympathetic.

"This is a comprehensive and fair biography of Simon Bolivar - the "liberator" of South America...." Read more

"Very interesting book about one of the greatest military leaders in American (South American) history...." Read more

"..." by Garcia Marquez, it provided insight into this amazing, heroic general and (reluctant) dictator...." Read more

"...Courageous, articulate, visionary, and a first rate military leader, Bolivar seems to have foundered once the Spanish were vanquished in battle...." Read more

26 customers mention "Insight"26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and engaging. They say it provides a genuine understanding of Bolivar and Latin American history. Readers appreciate the sociological study of the South American-Mexican people and their struggles. The book helps readers appreciate human history and the universality of human experiences.

"...Bolivar made me realize once more the universality of human history...." Read more

"...I would say this significantly added to my knowledge and understanding of Latin America...." Read more

"...If you're looking for adventure, romance, and inspiration as I always am, this one will do!" Read more

"...This book is generally sympathetic to Bolivar, but it is not a hagiography...." Read more

12 customers mention "Engaging content"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and entertaining. They describe the situations as well-written and make the reader an active participant in the events. The prose keeps them oriented as the story progresses.

"...trained historian, I found this book to be informative, well written, engaging and easily digestible...." Read more

"...book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a detailed and engaging account of Simón Bolívar’s life." Read more

"...Marie has a great style of writing and keeps you engaged from the first chapter...." Read more

"...The author manages to combine a marvelous prose with a capacity to engage the reader. This is a book that enthuses its readers and provides suspense...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2020
    This is, by far, the best biography I've ever read. There are 3 things that make a good biography in my opinion: quality of the prose, interest in the subject of the biography and effective telling of the person's life story.

    The writing in this book is SPECTACULAR. I dont say that lightly. This was so good, I thought I was reading Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The author set the scene throughout the book and it really felt like I was in Colonial/Post-Independence South America. In that sense this work of nonfiction reads a novel. That wonderful style did not interfere with the author's factual recounting of the Liberator's life.

    The subject of the biography is up there in the podium of "the great men of history." Bolivar's story is colorful and entertaining. His life a long list of commendable accomplishments. However, unlike Washigton's story, it was fascinating to see the Liberator as he was turned into a political scapegoat. This left a bad taste in my mouth because the betrayal was so shameful. (The fact that I was so invested is a testament to the author's great abilities). His achievements are almost impossible to believe.

    Rather than an in-depth look at given parts of Bolivar's life or specific accomplishments/battle this book recounts his entire life story. This means that the historical significance of many of his achievements is not explored in great depth. However, the result is that the book gives a clearer depiction of the man himself.

    I recommend this book wholeheartedly. The author is incredibly talented.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2020
    Maria Araña describes events with such clarity, it makes you feel you are there, living them in person. Her language is rich and precise. As soon as I read the first few pages of the introduction I knew I was about to read a masterpiece. Events and personalities are thoroughly researched and she pays attention to detail. Yet the book reads like a novel; once you start, you cannot put it down.

    Bolivar made me realize once more the universality of human history. The similarities between the Greek revolution against the Turks, which incidentally took place around the same time (1821) and the Bolivarian revolution against the Spanish, are amazing. Both peoples (Greeks and South Americans) started with nothing but the flame of freedom in their hearts and managed to overtake armies far superior. Unfortunately, in both cases, the political divisions that followed left the people in misery for a long time.

    Bolivar is one of the best history books I have ever read. I highly recommend it not only to history buffs but to anyone who wants to understand our world as it is today.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2015
    As a trained historian, I found this book to be informative, well written, engaging and easily digestible.
    For anyone looking to understand a lot of South American history and some of the underlying factors that continue to shape the region today, this is a good place to start. Having traveled South America extensively and studied some of the more contemporary history, I would say this significantly added to my knowledge and understanding of Latin America.

    I took one star off because the book was biased towards Bolivar pretty strongly, and the citation of sources was cumbersome and less than you would expect for a good biography. There are no footnotes, only endnotes which are not linked to individual passages in the text but instead to chapters. I have never seen it done like that and it irked me.

    Still I would recommend the book. It will shed light on so many things.
    29 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2015
    On August 15th, 1805, nearly two hundred and ten years ago to the day, a young aristocrat from Caracas climbed Italy's Mount Palatino. He shared the trek with his two best friends, one of whom was recounting a previous journey up the mountain one millennium earlier, in 494 B.C. by Roman plebeians. The plebeians did so in order to confront a tyrannical patrician ruler, voicing threats of secession from the empire. Perhaps inspired by his friend's tale of ancient freedom fighters, the young man cast aside the sting in his legs and finally reached the summit, and a slab of white marble atop it. Then, the young man wrote, "we all knelt down, embraced, and swore that we would liberate our country or die trying."

    Fourteen years later, the young man did.

    Simon Bolivar was the George Washington of South America. His life's battle against monarchical Spain for the soul of the (southern) New World is one of the most harrowing and inspiring stories I've come across in years. Marie Arana's biography of El Libertador is a treasure, one that I left with a sense of bittersweet nostalgia. Bolivar's idealism, passion, and purpose is so grand that I feel cheated by public education, having never once heard his name in dozens of history classes.

    Though his flaws as a political leader damaged much of his life's project, Bolivar's dogged commitment to freedom, and mastery of military strategy, ended 300 years of Spanish oppression, and replaced it with The United States of South America, a confederation of free republics, if only for a time. It Included Bolivia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Panama and what was then New Granada. Bolivar's vision for a free New World was in some areas more enlightened than his North American neighbors. Universal suffrage and the complete abolition of slavery were primary concerns for Bolivar from the outset, which he incorporated into his constitution, though his lesser corroborators would ultimately compromise on.
    “I have come to decree as law full liberty to all slaves who have trembled under the Spanish yoke for three centuries.”
    To understand Bolivar's lifelong commitment to his Enlightenment ideals of freedom and deep hatred for Spain, the author Marie Arana explores the young aristocrat's childhood in great length, which was a torrential mixture of privilege and tragedy. Losing both of his parents before his teenage years, Bolivar was tutored by Simon Rodriguez, an anti-monarchical, anti-religious free thinker. Rodriguez instructed the boy in literature, accounting, history, philosophy, and fencing, but always aimed to do so by exiting the classroom, putting down the books, and exciting the senses. It's interesting that Rodriquez's favorite book was Rousseaeu's Emile, the story of an orphan whose classroom was nature itself. Under Rodriguez's instruction, Bolivar developed a profound admiration for the French philosopher Voltaire, as well as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Looking back, Bolivar said this with regard to his blossoming awareness of liberty and tyranny:

    “From boyhood I thought of little else: I was fascinated by stories of Greek and Roman heroes. The revolution of the United States had just taken place and it, too, was an example. Washington awoke in me a desire to be just like him…When I and my two companions…arrived in Rome, we climbed Mount Palatino, and we all knelt down, embraced, and swore that we would liberate our country or die trying.”

    I think it's important to note that Bolivar's oath to end Spain's enslavement of the New World {propagated by king and priest alike} atop Mount Palatino came after a life-changing event: the death of his bride. They'd been married only five months, he eighteen and she, twenty-one, "before Heaven took her" from Bolivar by way of Yellow Fever. He swore never to remarry, and never would. El Liberator did however initiate many passionate affairs over his life, including one with Manuela Saenz, a famous libertine in Venezuela. Manuela would save her lover from two assassination attempts, winning legendary status as 'The Liberatrix of the Liberator'.

    And in that time, he drove Spain and its 300 years of slavery and oppression back to the Old World. New enemies arose from once-friends, but never Simon or Manuela waver in their commitment to one another.

    I can't recommend Marie Arana's biography of El Liberator enough. If you're looking for adventure, romance, and inspiration as I always am, this one will do!
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2024
    I very much enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a detailed and engaging account of Simón Bolívar’s life.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • João Batista de Freitas Neto
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ótimo livro
    Reviewed in Brazil on October 29, 2023
    Um Homem que podia viver bém e feliz com tudo que tinha, viveu um sonho mais dos outros do que dele e acabou pobre e sozinho. Um grande aprendizado de que podemos nos doar, mas sem esquecer de nós mesmo. Uma historia facinante do principio ao fim.
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    João Batista de Freitas Neto
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ótimo livro
    Reviewed in Brazil on October 29, 2023
    Um Homem que podia viver bém e feliz com tudo que tinha, viveu um sonho mais dos outros do que dele e acabou pobre e sozinho. Um grande aprendizado de que podemos nos doar, mas sem esquecer de nós mesmo. Uma historia facinante do principio ao fim.
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  • Adil EL ABDLI
    5.0 out of 5 stars (y)
    Reviewed in Canada on November 11, 2021
    Un livre très intéressant pour une personnage légendaire.
    Merci pour le service
  • Andrés
    3.0 out of 5 stars Nice introduction to Bolivar plagued by false and gross anti Spanish prejudices
    Reviewed in Spain on May 4, 2022
    Easy to read, written from the open admiration of the author, sadly is plagued with lies and exaggerations about the nature of the Spanish government in Hispanic America.
    It's incredible to read things like the printing press was forbidden in America by the Crown, which is a blatant lie, or that the creoles were discriminated in the administration.
    It's interesting still, but one needs to bear in mind the author's byass towards Spain. The reading of "Madre Patria" by Marcelo Gullo after this one is strongly recommended to balance this book
  • Kindle Customer
    2.0 out of 5 stars How to make a great life
    Reviewed in France on December 30, 2021
    Boring
  • EP
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 22, 2020
    Probably one of the most compelling biographies I have read. As someone who knew little about Bolivar this piece gives a comprehensive account of his character, campaigns, administration and insight into the geopolitics of South America in the 18-19th century.
    It is rich with detail but at the same time is not academic in writing like a lot of biographies tend to be. This makes for a flowing narrative, rich with detail and highly informative.
    Would definitely recommend for any fan of biographies, South America and history.