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Evita, First Lady: A Biography of Evita Peron
The story of one of the most fascinating women of all time—Maria Eva Duarte, who rose from poverty to become one of the richest, most powerful women in the world. Eva Perón was a star and a legend during her lifetime, one of the most alluring women of the twentieth century. Through the hit Broadway musical Evita by Andrew Lloyd Webber, her story became famous, and with the release of the film starring Madonna as Eva Perón, her life became a media obsession once again. Evita, as she preferred to style herself, was the beautiful and legendary woman who rose up from poverty to become the hypnotically powerful first lady of Argentina. To millions of poor people, she was a savior; to her enemies, she was a monstrous dictator. In this riveting biography, John Barnes explores the astonishing paradox of this champion of the poor who attacked the rich and, in the process, made herself the wealthiest woman in the world.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1978
52 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
John Barnes
1 book1 followerLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
John Barnes (1935- )
John Barnes (1935- )
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 8, 2022
It was interesting and broadened my knowledge. It did get a bit repetitive about 2/3 in
November 30, 2020
La costruzione di un mito.
Probabilmente è questo che ha maggiormente attirato la mia attenzione.
Ho cercato di pormi di fronte a questa lettura con un atteggiamento quanto più oggettivo possibile: ho amato smodatamente, anni fa, l'Evita cinematografica di Madonna e non volevo esserne troppo influenzata.
In effetti l'Evita di Barnes, sebbene sempre circondata da quell'aura di magia che probabilmente fa intrinsecamente parte del personaggio, mi è sembrata più reale. Tante luci, ma anche ombre. Le ombre più grandi, quelle di una dittatura (perché alla fine tale resta). E le ombre più piccole, di una donna che, se da un lato è assolutamente ammirevole per l'audacia, la pertinacia e il coraggio, dall'altro resta comunque un'arrampicatrice sociale. Una che "ha saputo scegliersi bene gli uomini". E usarli.
Forse in qualche punto l'autore esagera, forse cerca talvolta di provocare lo stupore del lettore, o forse Evita era davvero così. Non lo sapremo mai. Il fascino di questa lettura, per me, è stato proprio questo. Che Evita, a volerla giudicare razionalmente, era e resterà un enigma. Un portentoso enigma.
Probabilmente è questo che ha maggiormente attirato la mia attenzione.
Ho cercato di pormi di fronte a questa lettura con un atteggiamento quanto più oggettivo possibile: ho amato smodatamente, anni fa, l'Evita cinematografica di Madonna e non volevo esserne troppo influenzata.
In effetti l'Evita di Barnes, sebbene sempre circondata da quell'aura di magia che probabilmente fa intrinsecamente parte del personaggio, mi è sembrata più reale. Tante luci, ma anche ombre. Le ombre più grandi, quelle di una dittatura (perché alla fine tale resta). E le ombre più piccole, di una donna che, se da un lato è assolutamente ammirevole per l'audacia, la pertinacia e il coraggio, dall'altro resta comunque un'arrampicatrice sociale. Una che "ha saputo scegliersi bene gli uomini". E usarli.
Forse in qualche punto l'autore esagera, forse cerca talvolta di provocare lo stupore del lettore, o forse Evita era davvero così. Non lo sapremo mai. Il fascino di questa lettura, per me, è stato proprio questo. Che Evita, a volerla giudicare razionalmente, era e resterà un enigma. Un portentoso enigma.
November 27, 2023
"Evita" jõudis minuni muidugi esmalt hoopis Andrew Lloyd Webberi muusikali kaudu. Ehk siis see muusika jõudis minuni, sest muusikali ma vist ka polegi näinud.
"Evita" oli lugu sellest, kui ostetavad ja mõjutatavad on inimesed, kui nende põhivajadused on täitmata. See muidugi tähendab, et neid on lihtne ka uuesti teises suunas mõjutada.
Nüüd oskan "Evita" muusikat igatahes teisiti kuulata. Kuigi Evita käitumine kindlasti väga sümpaatne ei ole, siis lugu kui selline äratas minus tegelikult veelgi rohkem huvi.
Pikemalt loe mu arvamust blogist: https://midaheliluges.blogspot.com/20...
"Evita" oli lugu sellest, kui ostetavad ja mõjutatavad on inimesed, kui nende põhivajadused on täitmata. See muidugi tähendab, et neid on lihtne ka uuesti teises suunas mõjutada.
Nüüd oskan "Evita" muusikat igatahes teisiti kuulata. Kuigi Evita käitumine kindlasti väga sümpaatne ei ole, siis lugu kui selline äratas minus tegelikult veelgi rohkem huvi.
Pikemalt loe mu arvamust blogist: https://midaheliluges.blogspot.com/20...
June 6, 2021
Personaggio affascinante, una grande donna...
Dalle umili origini a leader spirituale dell'Argentina, l'autore ci racconta la sua vita, fatta di luci e ombre, una donna che si è saputa gestire e che non si è fermata davanti a niente tranne, purtroppo, alla morte, a soli 33 anni.
Non amo molto le biografie, ma quando trovo il personaggio che mi intriga e lo stile del biografo altrettanto è capolavoro.
Dalle umili origini a leader spirituale dell'Argentina, l'autore ci racconta la sua vita, fatta di luci e ombre, una donna che si è saputa gestire e che non si è fermata davanti a niente tranne, purtroppo, alla morte, a soli 33 anni.
Non amo molto le biografie, ma quando trovo il personaggio che mi intriga e lo stile del biografo altrettanto è capolavoro.
July 14, 2025
Heel interessante contextschets over het leven van Eva Perón. Wel weinig inzicht in haar innerlijk leven/ emoties/ motivaties.
September 6, 2025
"la poesía es la única que contempla a las mujeres "
April 13, 2014
I checked this book out of the local library because I am writing a research paper on Eva Peron. I had only known of her via the play, popularized by Madonna. I found this volume to be fascinating, and more than I had initially hoped for in source material. Evita was a strong woman of many passions, a balance between a saint and a dictator. Those she loved, she protected and helped as best she could. The poor especially benefited from her care. Those she hated, she arranged for humiliation and annihilation or as close as she could get to it. It was interesting to see the smiling face of the lovely Evita juxtapositioned against the raging, screaming, cold shrew that her enemies saw. She is quite the fascinating character, and this was a worthwhile read.
November 26, 2009
A biography that shares the chronology of Eva Peron's life starting from her childhood living in a poor neighborhood with no father figure and ending with her being revered as Saint Evita and an icon of the Argentine people and government. A great read to give insight to her influence and power. I especially liked her work as a feminist to promote women's rights. Not so much about Argentina, but still a good read.
August 19, 2017
This was really not what I was hoping it would be. I wanted to know more about Evita and I think it was just too many historical facts about Argentina and the president and not enough about Evita herself. Parts were very dry and boring. I think I'll have to pick up something different for what I wanted to learn.
November 10, 2014
Quite interesting and nice style of writing which is far away from being dull and plain factual. A bit repetitive, though, and from time to time I had the impression as if a story was a bit exaggerated just for the sake of telling a witty anecdote.
November 7, 2020
Pure chance is the reason I picked up this book. I was doing a crossword puzzle, and the clue was “_ _ _ Perón.” Then a few days later, another crossword puzzle with the clue “Don’t _ _ _ for Me Argentina.” I thought nothing of the coincidence, except now that song became an earworm. A constant loop in my head of the two lines I know. With the earworm singing in my head, I opened my Book Bub email and, lo and behold, Evita was one of the daily discounted books.
The story of Evita Peron is incredible, and she was a larger than life figure while alive as well as in death. María Eva Duarte de Perón was born on May 7, 1919, to Juana Ibarguren and Juan Duarte, a wealthy rancher who already had a wife and children before he started a family with Ibarguren. Juana’s relationship with Duarte ended, and he returned to his wife and children, leaving Juana and her children penniless. Juana moved her family to Las Pampas, trying to eke out a living in the impoverished rural town. Duarte died suddenly, leaving Juana with nothing but a document declaring the children were his, hence Evita’s use of his surname.
Evita’s dream was to be an actress, and she moved to Buenos Aires. She worked in theater and as a model, and did manage to snag a few film roles. And while the consensus was that she was a terrible actress, her ability to pick boyfriends with wealth, influence and power ensured her success as a movie star. And then she met Juan Perón.
The Peróns were able to connect with Argentina’s working-class descamisados, the shirtless ones. The Peróns identified with the descamisados and their impassioned campaign speeches portrayed the worker as a human, no longer a machine. When Perón took office, Evita became his second in command, an outrage to masculine pride in Perón’s cabinet. However, the descamisados saw their standard of living increase dramatically, receiving pay increases often up to 50%, four weeks of holidays, sick leave and the 13th month check bonus which was given to workers right before Christmas. Juan and Evita had delivered on their promises and the descamisados were smitten with the couple.
Evita was in a position of power and anyone who had crossed her in the past was swiftly dealt with, and harshly. But for her descamisados, she built schools, hospitals, homes for unwed mothers, homes for the elderly, parks, recreation centers, seaside resorts for workers, and held lotteries giving away houses.
She died at 33 of cervical cancer. Argentina is one of those countries that has a strange obsession with the corpses of their leaders. Evita’s descamisados lined up in the freezing rain, waiting up to 15 hours just to get a 20-second look at their beloved Evita. Her embalmed body was to be placed into a mausoleum taller than the Statue of Liberty, ready to be viewed behind a glass pane. However, that never happened and her perfectly embalmed body was kept in a Perón deputy’s apartment. One morning he was awakened by noises and thought something nefarious was happening with the body. Unfortunately, it was his pregnant wife, and he shot and killed her. Evita’s body was then moved to military headquarters for a time, before being buried in Milan, Italy under an assumed name. It was returned to Argentina 17 years later for proper burial.
These are just some of the highlights to Evita’s story. No matter how beautiful her clothes or expensive her jewelry, Evita was a savior to the descamisados and they would love her for eternity. Indeed, the Cult of Evita wanted to know where her body was, and the president after Peron was overthrown, kidnapped and murdered in an attempt to learn Evita’s whereabouts. There is so much more to Evita’s, and I really do recommend this as a fascinating read. This is the only book I’ve read on the subject and I didn’t see the musical, so I can’t compare, but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
The story of Evita Peron is incredible, and she was a larger than life figure while alive as well as in death. María Eva Duarte de Perón was born on May 7, 1919, to Juana Ibarguren and Juan Duarte, a wealthy rancher who already had a wife and children before he started a family with Ibarguren. Juana’s relationship with Duarte ended, and he returned to his wife and children, leaving Juana and her children penniless. Juana moved her family to Las Pampas, trying to eke out a living in the impoverished rural town. Duarte died suddenly, leaving Juana with nothing but a document declaring the children were his, hence Evita’s use of his surname.
Evita’s dream was to be an actress, and she moved to Buenos Aires. She worked in theater and as a model, and did manage to snag a few film roles. And while the consensus was that she was a terrible actress, her ability to pick boyfriends with wealth, influence and power ensured her success as a movie star. And then she met Juan Perón.
The Peróns were able to connect with Argentina’s working-class descamisados, the shirtless ones. The Peróns identified with the descamisados and their impassioned campaign speeches portrayed the worker as a human, no longer a machine. When Perón took office, Evita became his second in command, an outrage to masculine pride in Perón’s cabinet. However, the descamisados saw their standard of living increase dramatically, receiving pay increases often up to 50%, four weeks of holidays, sick leave and the 13th month check bonus which was given to workers right before Christmas. Juan and Evita had delivered on their promises and the descamisados were smitten with the couple.
Evita was in a position of power and anyone who had crossed her in the past was swiftly dealt with, and harshly. But for her descamisados, she built schools, hospitals, homes for unwed mothers, homes for the elderly, parks, recreation centers, seaside resorts for workers, and held lotteries giving away houses.
She died at 33 of cervical cancer. Argentina is one of those countries that has a strange obsession with the corpses of their leaders. Evita’s descamisados lined up in the freezing rain, waiting up to 15 hours just to get a 20-second look at their beloved Evita. Her embalmed body was to be placed into a mausoleum taller than the Statue of Liberty, ready to be viewed behind a glass pane. However, that never happened and her perfectly embalmed body was kept in a Perón deputy’s apartment. One morning he was awakened by noises and thought something nefarious was happening with the body. Unfortunately, it was his pregnant wife, and he shot and killed her. Evita’s body was then moved to military headquarters for a time, before being buried in Milan, Italy under an assumed name. It was returned to Argentina 17 years later for proper burial.
These are just some of the highlights to Evita’s story. No matter how beautiful her clothes or expensive her jewelry, Evita was a savior to the descamisados and they would love her for eternity. Indeed, the Cult of Evita wanted to know where her body was, and the president after Peron was overthrown, kidnapped and murdered in an attempt to learn Evita’s whereabouts. There is so much more to Evita’s, and I really do recommend this as a fascinating read. This is the only book I’ve read on the subject and I didn’t see the musical, so I can’t compare, but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
January 19, 2022
Jest to biografia jednej z najbardziej kontrowersyjnych kobiet XX wieku.
Ewa urodziła się w 1919 roku w biednej, wielodzietnej rodzinie, podobnie zresztą, jak jej przyszły mąż Juan. Była bękartem. Matka była utrzymanką miejscowego obszarnika Juana Duarte. Mieszkała w nędznej lepiance, ale mała Ewa miała ogromne ambicje i apetyt na życie. Dzięki sprytowi i urodzie udało jej się wyrwać z tej zabitej dechami dziury i spróbowała swoich sił jako aktorka. Szło jej bardzo nędznie, ale była to świetna okazja do nawiązywania przydatnych kontaktów, a prawdopodobnie również romansów. Mozolnie, lecz skutecznie pięła się do góry, aż poznała generała Juana Perona. Stał się miłością jej życia, a ona jego. To dzięki Ewie Juan został prezydentem. Razem zmienili Argentynę z rzadko zamieszkałego państewka w prężnie rozwijający się kraj. Oboje walczyli o prawa robotników. To głównie z inicjatywy Ewy powstały sierocińce, domy starców, samotnych matek, szpitale, fundacja charytatywna, dzieci uzyskały dostęp do bezpłatnej nauki, a robotnicy prawo do strajku i podwyżek i bezpłatnej opieki zdrowotnej. Rozwijało się budownictwo komunalne. Wszystkim zaczęło się żyć o niebo lepiej.
Ale mieli też wrogów. Rządzącej parze narażali się głównie oligarchowie. Jednak Ewa nigdy nie wybaczała nikomu, kto zaszedł za skórę jej lub jej mężowi. Więzienia zaczęły się zapełniać, zaczęto zamykać redakcje gazet i stacje radiowe. W kraju zaczęła obowiązywać jedynie słuszna prawda, a wszelka opozycja była bezlitośnie tępiona. Imieniem Evity nazywane były szkoły, place, ulice, szpitale, nawet stacje kolejowe. Tłum spijał z jej ust każde słowo. Opozycja milczała lub uciekała z kraju.
Małżeństwo żyło na bajecznie wysokim poziomie. Ewa stroiła się w futra i brylanty. Mieszkali w pałacach, a ich konta bankowe pękały w szwach. Pewnie trwałoby to jeszcze długo, bo Ewa miała bardzo silny charakter. Zawiodło ciało. W młodym wieku zmogła Ewę białaczka. Na długo przed jej śmiercią lud okrzyknął ją świętą i stawiał jej ołtarze. Watykan miał inne zdanie...
Po jej śmierci Juan sobie nie poradził i jego kariera szybko się zakończyła. Nastąpił kolejny przewrót i musiał uciekać z kraju.
Trumna z zabalsamowanymi zwłokami Evity przez wiele lat przebywała w różnych miejscach poza Argentyną. A to wszystko po to, aby nie dopuścić do powrotu peronistów do władzy. Mogliby oni wykorzystać ciało zmarłej do podburzania ludu. Ewa zmarła w roku 1952, a wróciła do kraju w 1976.
Ewa urodziła się w 1919 roku w biednej, wielodzietnej rodzinie, podobnie zresztą, jak jej przyszły mąż Juan. Była bękartem. Matka była utrzymanką miejscowego obszarnika Juana Duarte. Mieszkała w nędznej lepiance, ale mała Ewa miała ogromne ambicje i apetyt na życie. Dzięki sprytowi i urodzie udało jej się wyrwać z tej zabitej dechami dziury i spróbowała swoich sił jako aktorka. Szło jej bardzo nędznie, ale była to świetna okazja do nawiązywania przydatnych kontaktów, a prawdopodobnie również romansów. Mozolnie, lecz skutecznie pięła się do góry, aż poznała generała Juana Perona. Stał się miłością jej życia, a ona jego. To dzięki Ewie Juan został prezydentem. Razem zmienili Argentynę z rzadko zamieszkałego państewka w prężnie rozwijający się kraj. Oboje walczyli o prawa robotników. To głównie z inicjatywy Ewy powstały sierocińce, domy starców, samotnych matek, szpitale, fundacja charytatywna, dzieci uzyskały dostęp do bezpłatnej nauki, a robotnicy prawo do strajku i podwyżek i bezpłatnej opieki zdrowotnej. Rozwijało się budownictwo komunalne. Wszystkim zaczęło się żyć o niebo lepiej.
Ale mieli też wrogów. Rządzącej parze narażali się głównie oligarchowie. Jednak Ewa nigdy nie wybaczała nikomu, kto zaszedł za skórę jej lub jej mężowi. Więzienia zaczęły się zapełniać, zaczęto zamykać redakcje gazet i stacje radiowe. W kraju zaczęła obowiązywać jedynie słuszna prawda, a wszelka opozycja była bezlitośnie tępiona. Imieniem Evity nazywane były szkoły, place, ulice, szpitale, nawet stacje kolejowe. Tłum spijał z jej ust każde słowo. Opozycja milczała lub uciekała z kraju.
Małżeństwo żyło na bajecznie wysokim poziomie. Ewa stroiła się w futra i brylanty. Mieszkali w pałacach, a ich konta bankowe pękały w szwach. Pewnie trwałoby to jeszcze długo, bo Ewa miała bardzo silny charakter. Zawiodło ciało. W młodym wieku zmogła Ewę białaczka. Na długo przed jej śmiercią lud okrzyknął ją świętą i stawiał jej ołtarze. Watykan miał inne zdanie...
Po jej śmierci Juan sobie nie poradził i jego kariera szybko się zakończyła. Nastąpił kolejny przewrót i musiał uciekać z kraju.
Trumna z zabalsamowanymi zwłokami Evity przez wiele lat przebywała w różnych miejscach poza Argentyną. A to wszystko po to, aby nie dopuścić do powrotu peronistów do władzy. Mogliby oni wykorzystać ciało zmarłej do podburzania ludu. Ewa zmarła w roku 1952, a wróciła do kraju w 1976.
August 25, 2023
Eva is complicated. She ensured women the right to vote- by refusing to leave congress until they did so- with probable underlying threats. She improved the wages and lives of factory workers. She built many hospitals and houses- while wearing diamonds and furs herself.
She strengthened and grounded Peron, making him much more effectives as a president. She also was vengeful and extremely short on forgiveness.
She was a powerful and compassionate woman at a time in argentina where a woman’s place was in the kitchen or the bedroom. Her determination, charisma and sheer power allowed her to do so much more than what should have been possible.
She is captivating.
As far as the book or writing- it’s fine. I dont know that i would read it again. It definitely did the job of contextualizing the Peron’s in world history and helping me understand argentine history. Its a tough ask to do a biography or such a complicated and revered figure. Did she threaten people and was an integral and motivating part of a dictatorship? Yes. Did a group of people petition for her sainthood? Also yes. At the beginning did i have any inkling i would conclude the book thinking the perons actually loved each other- no. The author walked the line well. I normally dont give a 4 star to books i likely wont read again. But. It is non fiction. Its a hard biography to write and i did learn a lot.
She strengthened and grounded Peron, making him much more effectives as a president. She also was vengeful and extremely short on forgiveness.
She was a powerful and compassionate woman at a time in argentina where a woman’s place was in the kitchen or the bedroom. Her determination, charisma and sheer power allowed her to do so much more than what should have been possible.
She is captivating.
As far as the book or writing- it’s fine. I dont know that i would read it again. It definitely did the job of contextualizing the Peron’s in world history and helping me understand argentine history. Its a tough ask to do a biography or such a complicated and revered figure. Did she threaten people and was an integral and motivating part of a dictatorship? Yes. Did a group of people petition for her sainthood? Also yes. At the beginning did i have any inkling i would conclude the book thinking the perons actually loved each other- no. The author walked the line well. I normally dont give a 4 star to books i likely wont read again. But. It is non fiction. Its a hard biography to write and i did learn a lot.
December 31, 2024
This is a short history of Eva Peron. It covers all the key points of her life and impact on Argentina but is not terribly deep on any specific aspect or her lasting legacy. Still I thoroughly enjoyed its pace and style.
She was an amazing woman who after six years of immense impact on Argentinian life and society, died at the early age of 33. Her natural impulse was always to benefit the poor and undervalued. While she undoubtedly enriched herself, she also enriched the life’s of countless others.
Unfortunately, she bankrupted Argentina in the process. The country was one of the wealthiest in the world after WWII. By the early mid 1950’s it had spent all its wealth and more to deliver for “the shirtless”.
She was an amazing woman who after six years of immense impact on Argentinian life and society, died at the early age of 33. Her natural impulse was always to benefit the poor and undervalued. While she undoubtedly enriched herself, she also enriched the life’s of countless others.
Unfortunately, she bankrupted Argentina in the process. The country was one of the wealthiest in the world after WWII. By the early mid 1950’s it had spent all its wealth and more to deliver for “the shirtless”.
March 20, 2025
NOTA IMPORTANTE: LA RESEÑA QUE SIGUE ES SOBRE LA BIOGRAFÍA DE EVA PERÓN DE EDITORIAL GLOBUS. COMO NO ESTABA ESA EDICIÓN, REGISTRO MI OPINIÓN EN ESTE OTRO LIBRO.
A diferencia de otros tomos de la colección de biografías "íconos del siglo XX" de editorial Globus, este fue el que menos me gustó.
Si bien hace una selección de los momentos más significativos de la vida de Eva Perón, siento que se quedó muy en lo superficial y no llegó a profundizar en la complejidad de este personaje histórico.
Sí me encantó el anexo con imágenes y demás... Pero la biografía en sí, se queda corta de información.
Una pena, realmente.
A diferencia de otros tomos de la colección de biografías "íconos del siglo XX" de editorial Globus, este fue el que menos me gustó.
Si bien hace una selección de los momentos más significativos de la vida de Eva Perón, siento que se quedó muy en lo superficial y no llegó a profundizar en la complejidad de este personaje histórico.
Sí me encantó el anexo con imágenes y demás... Pero la biografía en sí, se queda corta de información.
Una pena, realmente.
May 10, 2025
This is an excellent biography of an amazing woman that was partly Saint and partly Satan. Her accomplishments for the poor, working and lower classes of Argentina are absolutely generous, loving and sincere. She raised their wages, gave them medical care, gave them schools, vacation hotels, education, clothing, gifts, etc. etc. She was the youngest of 5 illegitimate children and bone poor - she never forgot her roots. On the other hand she was ruthless with any perceived enemy or anyone who didn't show sufficient respect for her or her dictator, president husband - Juan Peron. It was fascinating to read how she managed this.
October 27, 2021
Easy enough to get through. This is the first thing I’ve read about Eva Peron, and I think it gave a decent overview of the Perons and the political climate in Argentina during their rule, but I don’t really feel like I got to know too much about Eva herself. This has a very outside perspective.
I’m a little unsure about the accuracy. And I felt that some of the author’s descriptions of Indigenous people to be colonialist and racist, and the descriptions of Eva to be somewhat sexist, particularly regarding her appearance.
I’m a little unsure about the accuracy. And I felt that some of the author’s descriptions of Indigenous people to be colonialist and racist, and the descriptions of Eva to be somewhat sexist, particularly regarding her appearance.
June 15, 2018
Not the best book I've read about Eva Peron, and I've read quite a few. Nothing particularly new or exciting and I'm pretty sure some of the things included have since been shown to be inaccurate. It wasn't awful though and I enjoyed some of the insight into Argentine history. The writing style is also very nice and not as dry as some of the other biographies I have read. I'm glad I read it but I can't say it was particularly mind-blowing.
March 13, 2023
It is very difficult to finish it, the story is interesting but I don’t think it is told in an appealing way that someone could actually enjoy reading it. It is very impersonal and maybe this was the goal of the author, but I had to force myself a lot to find the strength to finish reading it.
I usually do appreciate reading an objective biography, not this time.
I usually do appreciate reading an objective biography, not this time.
May 8, 2024
Fascinating read
Argentina is so far away, and I know so little about it. It has been in the news as of late, so I thought this book would give some insight into the country. Evita was larger than life. A bit like Lady Diana with her ability to captivate the masses, although the corrupt version. The book is well written, but with a surprising number of typos. I enjoyed the read.
Argentina is so far away, and I know so little about it. It has been in the news as of late, so I thought this book would give some insight into the country. Evita was larger than life. A bit like Lady Diana with her ability to captivate the masses, although the corrupt version. The book is well written, but with a surprising number of typos. I enjoyed the read.
January 29, 2020
Worst book of all times. Could only make it until page 100. Sexist from front to back (probably).
May 15, 2021
Well written
July 21, 2023
Interesting
If u are going to visit Buenos Aires,Argentina this is a must read. It will give you historical background and understanding of Evitas impact on the country.
If u are going to visit Buenos Aires,Argentina this is a must read. It will give you historical background and understanding of Evitas impact on the country.
March 26, 2017
Seems more political and i got bored in parts. I skimmed thru parts.
April 18, 2017
As a child I became acquainted with the story of Eva Perón through the (historically incorrect) musical “Evita” by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice and immediately became fascinated with this woman.
This biography is an interesting and objective account on the woman who was born illegitimate, was raised in slums with literally no legal rights at all, yet ultimately became the most powerful woman in Latin America, if not the whole world. As mentioned before, not all facts are accurate according to more contemporary research, however I would recommend this biography to anyone wanting to know more about Eva Perón, her life, her country and her times.
This biography is an interesting and objective account on the woman who was born illegitimate, was raised in slums with literally no legal rights at all, yet ultimately became the most powerful woman in Latin America, if not the whole world. As mentioned before, not all facts are accurate according to more contemporary research, however I would recommend this biography to anyone wanting to know more about Eva Perón, her life, her country and her times.
August 29, 2010
Long a fan of the musical Evita and having recently seen it multiple times as a show where my son was music director, I finally sought out some nonfiction information on this intriguing woman. This particular biography of 1978 (just after Juan Peron's death) takes what I consider an objective view. It's thorough but in a "popular" style and doesn't stint on unpleasant aspects of the regime that Eva and her dictator husband promulgated.
October 19, 2014
After seeing the stage play, Evita, by Andrew Lloyd Webber, I wanted to read more about this interesting woman. Mr. Barnes book is very interesting and easy to read. A good start to learning about the Peron's and their control over Argentina in the 1950's before Eva Peron died at the age of 33.
January 3, 2016
I love Evita so I was not impressed by this book. Honestly, it was more about the political Mr. Peron than Eva. This account of her life lacked the magic and obsession that her tale should and usually does inspire .
August 17, 2016
Fantastic
Enjoyed every word. I have studied the life of this unbelievable woman for years. She remains a heroine as well as an enigma yet today. I respectfully congratulate the author of this book to keeping Evita in our senses. Thank you.
Enjoyed every word. I have studied the life of this unbelievable woman for years. She remains a heroine as well as an enigma yet today. I respectfully congratulate the author of this book to keeping Evita in our senses. Thank you.
December 15, 2016
This story has always been fascinating to me. As a child I remember seeing movies with her and my mother pointing out. That's Eva Perón always a terrible actress. She kicked out Libertad Lamarquez who later in life was nicknamed "La Novia de America" she was like the Latin version of Julie Andrews.
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