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Open Veins of Latin America cover art

Open Veins of Latin America

Written 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.

What the critics say

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

What listeners say about Open Veins of Latin America

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This book will show you the painfull truth

It is worded difficultly but the message is clear. Your heart will be broken, weather you live in the developed or under developed world.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Galeano goes hard

A lot to take in at once, but an impressive feat. Open veins feels like Galeano is on a mission to flush out the uncomfortable truths of hundreds of years of global capitalism. The narration gives his words an even sharper edge. I leaned a lot, I will read it again

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Required Reading

Although the subject matter is vast and complex, it is well researched and delivered.

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A Bible for Losers Who Want to Blame Everyone Else

I did not give this book one star because Galeano is a dynamic and captivating writer. You can see why the book is popular.

However, his tortured logic and skewed representation of history are painfully misleading. Apparently, when firms from other nations sell products to or invest in Latin America they are "invading." When foreigners lend money they are the ones to blame when the Latin Americans fail to pay.

This line of blaming everyone for Latin America's backwardness and lack of productivity just makes matters worse and feeds populist envy. The fact that the late socialist dictator and nation destroyer Hugo Chávez of Venezuela gave this book as a gift to Barack Obama tells you about as much as you need to know about it.

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