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Open Veins of Latin America  By  cover art

Open Veins of Latin America

By: Eduardo Galeano, Isabel Allende - Foreward
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
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Publisher's summary

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 Allende's 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.

©1997 Eduardo Galeano (P)2009 Audible, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

"Well written and passionately stated, this is an intellectually honest and valuable study." ( Library Journal)
"A dazzling barrage of words and ideas." ( History)

Featured Article: Top Audiobooks From Latino Authors to Help You Reconnect to Your Roots


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What listeners say about Open Veins of Latin America

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Should be Required highschool reading

This should be Required highschool reading. There was so much I was embarrassed to not know about my own country.

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what.when.where.how. wow

a lot of information that is important to my culture and background
Wow
wow

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Great book

If you are looking for a good book about Latin American history this is the one.

Need to pay attention to audio book as there is a lot of information together, great listen.

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Global Insights to Unchecked Rapacious Morality

Insightfully telling on how rapacious hubris repeats itself - if left unchecked--regardless of the reason(s); highly recommended for those unaware, or--trusting.

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I heard a different story.

First the author said almost nothing about socialism or communism. Second it was about the People and the resources being exploited. Finally it also captured a whole era of the US violently acting out throughout an entire continent. How would a totalitarian state of communism be any worse for the great majority of the people? The dictators we supported killed and jailed hundreds of thousands! We killed thousands! Please tell me how a coercive and soul stealing capitalism dictatorship as practiced in much of Latin America is any better? I do NOT believe in socialism/comm., but such capitalism is anti-Christian and grossly inhumane!

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A must read to understand Latin America

This book truly depicts the reality of Latin America. It clearly explains why Latin America has been slow and backwards in its development process

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A dangerous book that everyone should incorporate.

This is an amazing, heartbreaking, and rage inducing work of art. This should be read by every person in the world.

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Phenomenal book that was worth the time!

This was a great read! The narrator read quite slow, thank god for the speed feature.
this was a very thought provoking, infuriating and informative. a must read for anyone, especially if you're Hispanic.

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  • 12-24-18

amazing untold history

loved this so much; i cant wait till i travel alone to listen to this again.

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Great and informative. A necessary read.

Wonderful summarization of the tragedy brought and reinforced to latin america by colonial powers. Narration was also a great and engaging.

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