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Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent
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Sales rank 33,304
Customers rating (based on 40 reviews)
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"A superbly written, excellently translated, and powerfully persuasive exposé which all students of Latin American and U.S. history must read."--Choice "Well written and passionately stated, this is an intellectually honest and valuable study."--Library Journal "A dazzling barrage of words and ideas."--History
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| Publisher | Monthly Review Press | | Release date | /1997 | | Availability | Usually ships in 24 hours | | Edition | Paperback |
| | List price | $18 | | Our price | $12.24 (you save 32.00%) | | Used price | from $7.48 |
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 A look back at "history"......
...that only goes to the old, tired and overused idea to blame the U.S. for every problem affecting Latin America. From the difference in the way our different colonial economic paths began, to portraying the Castro regime as the "true" liberators of the hemisphere.
The mere "omission" of Latin America's cultural political traits, and their endless propensity towards all too central governments and all to corrupt leadership through the ages becomes conveniently omitted. Al to show (regardles of the facts) that the social class contradictions are located at the international level between the have and have not states.
Just another attempt to create another American guilt trip. And a laughable one at best......
Beautifully Written, Visceral And Timeless.
"Open Veins Of Latin America" has not lost its importance in almost 40 years of circulation, today more than ever, Eduardo Galeano's poetic journey through the history and suffering of Latin America is a vital work of scholarship and observation, it is a record of how the Americas were born and grew. From the Spanish Conquest to the Cuban Revolution and beyond, Galeano touches on nearly every key moment of Latin American history and brilliantly shows the reader how the events of the past helped shape the status of the present.
Part of the genius of this book is how Galeano manages to chronicle in fine detail the history of Latin America but also clearly shows how certain economic orders were established, any reader who wonders who countries like Bolivia and Peru have such wide gaps between rich and poor, white and indigenous communities, needs to read this book. In breathless detail Galeano takes us through the Spanish conquest, using historical documents and eyewitness accounts to record the suffering and terror indigenous communities endured for the sake of imperial expansion. Galeano brilliantly connects the dots between the economic and social models established at the time and the current conditions of these countries today, consider Bolivia, where racial tensions are indeed flaring up again due to the election of an indigenous leader, Evo Morales.
The worlds Galeano paints are rich in detail and fascination, heartbreak and hope. We visit forgotten cities in Peru, once paved in silver, now condemned to misery, we explore the mines of Bolivia where indians lose their lungs to fumes and tunnels and we step into isolated villages in Brazil, where the ghosts of dead miners are said to still hold Mass on rainy evenings. Key historical events are described with visceral energy such as the outbreak of civil war in Guatemala after a U.S.-backed coup, the eruption of "La Violencia" in Colombia where thousands perished in a bloody rampage following the assassination of a progressive candidate for President. Galeano cheerfully bashes fascists including right-wing groups trying to stop Salvador Allende's nationalization of copper in Chile by warning parents with false propaganda that their children will be flown to the USSR or Cuba for indoctrination. Galeano also tells the cold hard truth about the military junta that ruled Brazil (with U.S. help), including their pass time of burning books.
"Open Veins Of Latin America," like all great books, enthralls, educates and makes the reader aware. Historical figures we don't hear much about in normal textbooks come alive in Galeano's writing, fascinating figures like Nicaragua's Sandino, Mexico's Hidalgo and Zapata and Peru's Tupac Amaru reveal a heroic tradition of resistance against imperialism and repression. Some complain about Galeano's Leftist leanings, but much of what he records is simply based on fact, on documented history. Events like the Cuban Revolution, the Mexican Revolution and Haiti's slave uprising are thrillingly chronicled and their outcomes explored with keen insight.
Latin America remains a place that fascinates many, it is a complex region that is politically, ethnically and religiously diverse, Galeano manages like few writers have, to capture it all in this beautiful volume. "Open Veins Of Latin America" has so much information, so many stories, characters and histories that a full review does not suffice to explore it all, for those who wish to really KNOW about Latin America, this book is a must. It is a history of economies, countries, bloodshed and tears, and most importantly, of people.
Had no idea
A friend recommended this book and I thank him for making me aware of this. Africa and its problems I am very informed about, but what is going on in Latin American no. To become aware of the products we enjoy such as coffee and sugar, cotton and not knowing of the pain and agony involved in other lives is inexusable in to-days world, hopefully through this book people will become informed.
Latino History
This history is told from the point of view of the oppressed people detailing the horrible conditions in Chile during the Industrial Revolution.
Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent
Keep the good work upp!
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