Bolivar

American Liberator

By: Marie Arana

Narrated by: David Crommett

Length: 20 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

It is astonishing that Simón Bolívar, the great Liberator of South America, is not better known in the United States. He freed six countries from Spanish rule, traveled more than 75,000 miles on horseback to do so, and became the greatest figure in Latin American history. His life is epic, heroic, straight out of Hollywood: he fought battle after battle in punishing terrain, forged uncertain coalitions of competing forces and races, lost his beautiful wife soon after they married and never remarried (although he did have a succession of mistresses, including one who held up the revolution and another who saved his life), and he died relatively young, uncertain whether his achievements would endure.

Drawing on a wealth of primary documents, novelist and journalist Marie Arana brilliantly captures early 19th-century South America and the explosive tensions that helped revolutionize Bolívar. In 1813 he launched a campaign for the independence of Colombia and Venezuela, commencing a dazzling career that would take him across the rugged terrain of South America, from Amazon jungles to the Andes mountains. From his battlefield victories to his ill-fated marriage and legendary love affairs, Bolívar emerges as a man of many facets: fearless general, brilliant strategist, consummate diplomat, passionate abolitionist, gifted writer, and flawed politician.

A major work of history, Bolívar colorfully portrays a dramatic life even as it explains the rivalries and complications that bedeviled Bolívar’s tragic last days. It is also a stirring declaration of what it means to be a South American.

©2013 Marie Arana (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Favorite book ever!

I have listed to this audiobook twice in the last few months. It makes you want to binge-listen. It is written masterfully, it is easy to follow (even though it covers a very extended period of time). I loved listening about what other historians have said and what the overall conclusions are about what actually happened. It amazes me how much of his life is documented. There is nothing I dislike about this book.

As of Bolivar, there is nothing closer to a real-life superhero. His human flaws are the best part, so detailed that it becomes endearing, as if you knew him personally, as if you could understand him. As if he could be you. The whole time you are cheer for him, worry with him and get angry with him. The feeling you never get to identify with is his resilience. Over and over again you have to pause and say: "really?... again!? aren't you done with this?". Only then you realize you are nothing like him. Nobody is. He was ahead of his time, ahead of our times. It makes you wonder if Latin America ever deserved him. He thought so.

Addicting!

A captivating story of real history, narrated and written in a way that makes it hard to put down. I finished listening to this book in a shorter overall time span than any other audible title I have listened to thus far!

excellent

I loved it! Arana`s writing is elegant， and her storytelling is powerful. The audible narrator was perfect.

El Libertador y profeta!

The Libertador the prophet, a great man and a real human. I enjoyed every minute of this book. If you want to understand Latinoamérica, you need to hear this book.

Fascinante historia

Buena biografía, solo un comentario como es un audiolibro debería reiterar las fechas para mejor orientación del que escucha

Excellent Biography of The Liberator

A compelling and riveting biography of the life of Simon Bolivar. An understanding of the history of Latin America requires a good knowledge of the life of Bolivar, the Liberator. Not only did he lead many countries in South America into freedom from the ravages of Spanish colonialization; but he inspired the liberation of other countries and established the basis for them to function as modern states. Sadly, there are also the notes toward to the end of his life which allowed for the existence on strong men, warlords and would-be-dictatorships; a plague which frustrates much of Latin America to this day. This book is well written and compelling, keeping the reader engaged. Definitely recommended for students of history.

Well paced and well written biography

An amazing figure from an amazing era, Bolivar and his historic period were not easy subjects. But the author did a great job of weaving a gripping narrative of a grand history with deft prose and appropriate pacing.

Narration Excellence and a riveting history

The author did really well with this material. I especially liked the treatment of dates and details. The author would speak with great eloquence about ideas etc. then drop a date or boring but important detail. Solid cry at the end, goose bumps on occasion. This was a story of a man and you can get a sense of him and the times very well.

Masterful

Well researched book that brought Bolivar to life. It also did a great job of depicting the idiosyncrasies of Latin Americans of that era. The narration was also excellent. Its cadence was good with great emphasis of each quotation.

Amazing storie- History was never so exciting.

This book was extraordinary written and narrated.
I strongly recommend to anyone who loves history.