Not an easy read but very informative
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I think the book is not really a page turner. However, if you have an interest in the history of South America, it is a good book that thoroughly describes one of the key players, Simon Bolivar.
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Very Worthy but Dull
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This book covers the complete life of Bolivar and his campaign to free the northern states of South America from Royalist Spain during the years 1806 to 1825. The progress of the campaign from New Granada (Colombia), Venezuela, Quito (Ecuador), Peru and Upper Peru (Bolivia) is chronicled by Lynch with very brief descriptions of the battles and somewhat lengthier treatments of the ever changing balances of power of the different social groups in these diverse countries. Bolivar was by no means a perfect hero and his failings are covered fairly. This is a very worthy and well researched book but on the whole rather dull. Lynch appears most at home when discussing political philosophy but his characterisations are rather one dimensional. Three line maps are provided but they do not show all the places or districts mentioned in the text. This book is of great value in that detailed histories in English of South America are difficult to find but it is quite hard work for the reader.
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United Kingdom | 
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