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Original Essays | October 18, 2009

Victoria Hislop: IMG From Leprosy to Lorca — Strange Inspiration



My first novel, The Island, was inspired by a chance visit to a tiny island leper colony off the coast of Greece on our summer holiday. It was a... Continue »
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1 Beaverton World History- Latin America
21 Burnside Latin America- General
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25 Local Warehouse World History- Latin America
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Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent

by Eduardo Galeano

Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Since its U.S. debut a quarter-century ago, this brilliant text has set a new standard for historical scholarship of Latin America. It is also an outstanding political economy, a social and cultural narrative of the highest quality, and perhaps the finest description of primitive capital accumulation since Marx.

Rather than chronology, geography, or political successions, Eduardo Galeano has organized the various facets of Latin American history according to the patterns of five centuries of exploitation. Thus he is concerned with gold and silver, cacao and cotton, rubber and coffee, fruit, hides and wool, petroleum, iron, nickel, manganese, copper, aluminum ore, nitrates, and tin. These are the veins which he traces through the body of the entire continent, up to the Rio Grande and throughout the Caribbean, and all the way to their open ends where they empty into the coffers of wealth in the United States and Europe.

Weaving fact and imagery into a rich tapestry, Galeano fuses scientific analysis with the passions of a plundered and suffering people. An immense gathering of materials is framed with a vigorous style that never falters in its command of themes. All readers interested in great historical, economic, political, and social writing will find a singular analytical achievement, and an overwhelming narrative that makes history speak, unforgettably.

This classic is now further honored by Isabel Allendeas inspiring introduction. Universally recognized as one of the most important writers of our time, Allende once again contributes her talents to literature, to political principles, and to enlightenment.

Book News Annotation:

First published in 1973 as Las Venas Abiertas de America Latina by Siglo XXI Editores, Mexico, this analysis of the effects and causes of capitalist underdevelopment in Latin America presents a clear, passionate account of 500 years of Latin American history, written with drama, humor, and compassion. For general readers.
Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Review:

"A dazzling barrage of words and ideas." History

Review:

"Well written and passionately stated, this is an intellectually honest and valuable study." Library Journal

Review:

"A superbly written, excellently translated, and powerfully persuasive exposé which all students of Latin American and U.S. history must read." Choice

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
reggie.hill, April 19, 2009 (view all comments by reggie.hill)
This is the book that Hugo Chaves gave President Obama. We should not began to criticize this gesture until we read it, and then we must do it intelligently.

Reggie Hill
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780853459910
Subtitle:
Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent
Translator:
Belfrage, Cedric
Translator:
Belfrage, Cedric
Introduction:
Allende, Isabel
Author:
Galeano, Eduardo H.
Author:
Galeano, Eduardo
Translator:
Belfrage, Cedric
Publisher:
Monthly Review Press
Subject:
General
Subject:
Latin america
Subject:
Economic Conditions
Subject:
Latin America - General
Subject:
Latin America Economic conditions.
Edition Number:
25
Edition Description:
Anniversary
Publication Date:
January 1997
Binding:
Paperback
Language:
English
Pages:
360
Dimensions:
899x603x88 99

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