A Flower Traveled in My Blood

The Incredible True Story of the Grandmothers Who Fought to Find a Stolen Generation of Children

De: Haley Cohen Gilliland

Narrado por: Alejandra Reynoso

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF 2025 • ONE OF THE WASHINGTON POST’S FIVE BEST NONFICTION BOOKS OF 2025 • ONE OF THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY'S BEST BOOKS OF 2025 • ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S BEST BOOKS OF 2025 • ONE OF NPR’S BEST BOOKS OF 2025

“[An] astonishing story…Powerful…Harrowing…Absorbing and lucid…You would have to harden your heart to be unmoved by the Abuelas’ quest.” —Jennifer Szalai, The New York Times Book Review (front-cover review)

“Inspiring…A triumphant saga of ordinary people doing extraordinary things in the face of pure malevolence.” —Hampton Sides • “Enthralling…Written with the nail-biting verve of a thriller.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) • “Extraordinary...A harrowing and timely reminder of what happens when democracy succumbs to despotism.” —Adam Higginbotham • “[A] cinematically detailed, deeply researched narrative.” —The Washington Post • “Piercing, emotional...Will resonate for generations.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

A remarkable new talent in narrative nonfiction delivers the epic true story of a group of courageous grandmothers who fought to find their grandchildren who were stolen.

In the early hours of March 24, 1976, the streets of Buenos Aires rumble with tanks as soldiers seize the presidential palace and topple Argentina’s leader. The country is now under the control of a military junta, with army chief Jorge Rafael Videla at the helm. With quiet support from the United States and tacit approval from much of Argentina’s people, who are tired of constant bombings and gunfights, the junta swiftly launches the National Reorganization Process or El Proceso—a bland name masking their ruthless campaign to crush the political left and instill the country with “Western, Christian” values. The junta holds power until 1983 and decimates a generation.

One of the military’s most diabolical acts is kidnapping hundreds of pregnant women. After giving birth in captivity, the women are “disappeared,” and their babies secretly given to other families—many of them headed by police or military officers. For mothers of pregnant daughters and daughters-in-law, the source of their grief is twofold—the disappearances of their children, and the theft of their grandchildren. A group of fierce grandmothers forms the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, dedicated to finding the stolen infants and seeking justice from a nation that betrayed them. At a time when speaking out could mean death, the Abuelas confront military officers and launch protests to reach international diplomats and journalists. They become detectives, adopting disguises to observe suspected grandchildren, and even work alongside a renowned American scientist to pioneer groundbreaking genetic tests.

A Flower Traveled in My Blood is the rarest of nonfiction that reads like a novel and puts your heart in your throat. It is the product of years of extensive archival research and meticulous, original reporting. It marks the arrival of a blazing new talent in narrative journalism. In these pages, a regime tries to terrorize a country, but love prevails. The grandmothers’ stunning stories reveal new truths about memory, identity, and family.

My childhood memories just became brutally clear

As I prepare for my first trip to Argentina, I wanted a book to help me understand the era I lived through as a kid, albeit far away, in California. The museum and the memorial to the grandmothers are first on my list to see now. This book pieced together all the things USA history classes leave out. Our involvement in holding up yet another dictatorial regime, Argentinian mothers enduring the worst thing a mother can endure, and government leaders always trying to erase the facts. I’m grateful for this timely book.

Incredible narration

The history written was well done. This audible book and narration took it to another level.

Immersive narrative history telling an important and heart wrenching story.

This book is heart wrenching and amazing. The audio book experience would have been improved if the narrator had an Argentine accent or knowledge of Argentine culture. Her mispronunciation of certain words was distracting at times to someone who has spent significant time in Argentina.

I remember reading about "The Disappeared" In the

...San Francisco Chronicle back when these atrocities were happening. The fact that I remember sitting in my parents' kitchen reading that article after so many decades made me pick up this book. Very well written and performed. Oddly, my attention was captured the most by the history (especially Peron) at the beginning of the book. A tribute to the author's skill, I guess!

Fluid transit through different time slots and characters.

The agonizing history intertwined into a beautiful story. Well structured, gently entered and exited in and out of main characters lives, throughout the half a century. The author lays down the astonishing tragedy very successfully with all the facts and well balanced emotions. Loved the book, and sadly feel well informed about another brutal human history!

A fight to remember

What a beautifully written true story of “the grandmothers” who never gave up in finding their grandchildren who had been stolen during the dictatorship in Argentina. Although not all were found, those that were are continuing their grandmother’s work. Best historical book I’ve ever read and recommend to all readers! Argentine history not many even knew happened; including me!

Compelling history

The evils perpetrated by dictators never cease to amaze me. Trump dreams of emulating these goons. Great book. Sadly the crimes of Argentina’s dictators are being repeated all over the world.

The abuelas

A book everyone should read. Unless we know history we will repeat it, as people and as countries and governments.