Evita: The Real Life of Eva Peron

Customer Reviews:

The best biography of Evita.......2006-12-28

When I was assigned to read this book I was afraid it was going to be a boring biography that went nowhere. I was pleasantly surprised at how well written and interesting her life is. Evita shaped the culture of Argentina and brought the country on the world stage. She was laughed at in the capitals of Europe on the Rainbow tour and her society was riddled with corruption. Her life is well shown here and it provides an excellent look into the culture of the country. Fraser's translation is very well done and Navarro's work is the definition of academic scholarship. For those who want to learn about Evita there is no better book.

La Razon di mi Vida - the violent myth of Eva Peron.......2006-04-06

One of the most misunderstood, adored, reviled women in the 20th century ... Eva Peron's fierce anger and rage against injustice fueled an ascent from third rate actress to First Lady supreme. Many myths, rumors, outright lies surround her legacy. This is one book that attempts to deconstruct it all.

Evita: The Real Life of Evita Peron.......2006-03-22

Very interesting and well written but somewhat biased toward Juan and Evita Peron. There was no mention of their Swiss bank accounts and little mention of the many schoolgirls (some as young as twelve years old) that he bedded after Evita's death.

The legend lives on.......2006-03-18

The book is written with a rather academic tone of detached interest. There are few personal opinions, and the position regarding Evita is neutral. This could be either an advantage or a drawback, for Evita was both worshipped and hated by millions. In the words of one Life reporter at her death, "They were genuine and deep and demonstrated that Evita, who had contributed so strongly to the totalitarianism and bankruptcy of her country, had also won its love." There's been a lot of controversy regarding her actions during the Peron presidency. She campaigned for her husband; she chaired numerous organizations to help the poor, and appeared on one end to be the giver of goodwill. On the other end of the spectrum, she got rid of all political enemies, spent lavishly.

In account of what she achieved in her life, it's really surprising to think that Eva had no education past the 8th grade; she arrived in Buenos Aires at the age of 15 with nothing but the clothes on her back, endured years of misfortune as an actress, to be permanently entombed as the savior, the termagant, the heroine, and villain, but always, Evita, the legend. In fact, at her death, the phrase, "permanently entombed" became rather literal. She was embalmed by Dr. Pedro Ara, Professor of anatomy, who specialized in what, at the time, he called, "the art of death". Years later, as Peron was ousted from power, her body, a monument of the age of Peronism, a symbol from which her supporters could rally, was hidden away by political rivals. The entire process increased the enigma that had always shrouded Eva, and will continue to do so into eternity.

As much as her biography does her no justice, it highlighted the main points in her life, gave information regarding her ambiguous past and even more ambiguous future, and was a wholly well written, well documented book. It's not a book for pleasure reading, even less for research. It's simply a book for a person who is curious about a subject and truly wants to learn. Because it has no plot, nor any high points of drama, it's not a book that has you "racing through the pages", but plowing stolidly through it. Eva Peron is strangely reminiscent of both "From Emperor to Citizen", the autobiography of last emperor of China, and "the Stories of my experiments with truth", the final work of Ghandi. Although both are written from different perspectives, both reflect the lives of national leaders, who during their time changed themselves and others. Today, Eva lays in an unmarked tomb in Recoleta Cemetery, supposedly bomb-proof, fire proof, and buglar proof. It reflects a fear, a fear that the body of the woman who had inspired so much hate, and love, would disappear, while the woman herself, or rather her insuppressible myth, would live on.

Definitely not Evita the musical.......2005-08-03

This book puts into perspective many of the myths and half-truths surrounding the life and death of Eva Peron. If you believe that she was 1/4 of what the musical and the movie said she was, for heaven's sake, read this book! This is the fifth book I've read on this subject and it is by far the best. I would encourage you to follow it up with "Evita In My Own Words" - which is her alleged deathbed manuscript.

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An In-Depth Account of the Many Myths Inspired by the now Mythic Eva Peron.
Another ignorant
This is a brilliant book.
Different..Honest..Interesting!

Eva Peron: The Myths of a Woman
Julie Taylor
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0226791440

Book Description

Eva Perón, one of the most powerful women in the world at the time of her death in 1952, rose from humble origins to international renown as First Lady of Argentina and the force behind the throne of her husband Juan Perón. Despite her immense popularity, she was inaccessible to the people of Argentina, and so images were constructed around her to fill that void. According to Julie M. Taylor, these "myths" around Eva Perón reflect Argentine culture and political history at the time of her seven-year reign. With a brief biography of Eva Perón serving as a backdrop, Taylor offers a detailed analysis of the principle myths that grew around this enigmatic woman.

"Taylor shows that she is remembered by different classes and political factions as saint, a revolutionary, or a whore, depending on whether she was interpreted as an embodiment or as a violation of the Argentine feminine ideal."—Booklist

"Highly commendable . . . it deliberately eschews the sensationalism that characterizes earlier [biographies]. . . . Taylor instead concentrates on the myths that have lingered since her death. . . . [This book] transcends biography."—Gentlemen's Quarterly

"[A] concise and brilliant examination of the legends that arose in Argentina during the lifetime . . . of a woman who broke with Argentine tradition and became a political figure in her own right."—New Yorker

Customer Reviews:

An In-Depth Account of the Many Myths Inspired by the now Mythic Eva Peron........2006-04-27

Julie M Taylor's well-researched book is not a biography but an anthropological study of the many myths surrounding Evita and their origins. It is loaded with a tremendous amount of information pertaining to Eva Peron, Argentine society and its history. At first glance, it is somewhat surprising that such a young woman like Eva Peron would become the victim of so much fanatical hatred and adoration. For those that despise her, she is a harlot, a murderess dictator who crushed anyone who opposed her and got in her way. For those that love her she is a mother, a saint, a revolutionary. What is even more interesting is that these images took on a life of their own. These colorful myths have clouded Eva's true history to such an extent that it has been stated by many that Eva Peron's story has forever left the world of "reality" and entered that of "fantasy". Several of the myths discussed here have made their way into history books and biographies. These accounts have sold this mis-information as fact when in reality it couldn't be further from the truth.

Julie Taylor's book explores every one of these myths in detail and gives us an explanation as to why Eva Peron inspired them and why the public chose to believe them. In most instances, Eva's sexuality and beauty had a lot to do with it. In other's, it was Eva's unconventional, non-feminine behavior which isn't surprising since at the time, woman were never seen taking an active role in politics. Eva offended the non-Peronist men of the time because this was one of the first times in their history where a woman was giving orders. The Aristocracy on the other hand was shocked to see a woman of no class, loose morals and with no formal education rise to a position of wealth and fame. In other words, a woman of Eva Duarte's background has no right to achieve that level of power. What I find interesting is the simple fact that had Eva Duarte been born into a privileged class holding a hereditary title or had she been born a man several of these myths would never have been born.

This book is highly recommended to those interested in learning more about this strange, complex woman known throughout the world as Evita. She will forever remain an enigma but Julie M Taylor's book gives us a unique glimpse into her tumultuous life by dissecting the numerous myths surrounding her persona shedding some light as to why people react so differently when Eva Peron's name is mentioned. It may also help you better understand this remarkable woman's actions and the erroneous myths her actions aroused. Even if your attitude towards Eva is indifferent, this book may surprise you since its purpose differs from the many other books written about her. It isn't an opinion but a factual analysis about a woman whose life and personality have become mythological.

Thanks to JM Taylor's "Eva Peron: The Myths of a Woman", the real woman behind the myth is revealed. She is unmasked as even far more remarkable than her legend. Whether you think she's a harlot, a saint or a fiery revolutionary, her impact on a nation cannot be denied. This woman deserves her legendary status, she earned it

Another ignorant.......2004-02-18

As many writers that I know Miss Julie have that terrible lack of sensitivity that give you being out of touch with poor people.
Evita wasn't a myth. Evita was a leader who did soemthing for her country and her people. That's why people still love her. it will happen the same with George Bush if he will die trying to help poor people Can any no argentinean understand that the people love back those leader who love them? is so difficult to understand? that wasn't a myth she actually die at 33 years old because despite her cancer she still goes to work for those whom have the needs.
Do that for your voters and then write about a myth.

This is a brilliant book........2002-03-08

As the title indicates, this is not so much a straightforward and linear biography of Eva. Rather, this book is an examination of the myths that have sprouted up around Evita ("Evita," meaning "little Eva," was her nickname)in her own country and abroad.

The author, an anthropologist, brilliantly points out that what people believe about Eva, and the myths they construct around her, often have less to do with what Eva actually did in her real life, but with what people perceive she represented. Often, judgments and interpretations of Evita are meant to reflect well on the one who is doing the judging - whether it be the Peronists, the anti-Peronists, or foreigners.

The author discovers that Argentines have an unusual tendency to keep their national figures "alive." Few other people, says the author, see it as natural that the myths of long-dead leaders, as well as their bodily remains, would play a part in present day politics. Understanding Eva, who she was and what she accomplished, is often made difficult by this very fact - Argentines are fascinated with their own history and often force it into whatever shape they see as most fit. The author points out that the average Argentine is aware that his own version of his country's history may contradict that of his neighbor's.

The author also argues that while Peronists and anti-Peronists often believe they have different value systems, in fact they share many of the same values. Proof of their shared value system is that Evita is often interpreted in terms of her womanhood. The opposition sees Evita as a violation of the Argentine feminine ideal, whereas the Peronists see Evita as the definition of the feminine ideal. In both cases her gender and sexuality are made the forefront of her character and the judgment laid upon it: the opposition insists that Eva once worked as a prostitute and many of them claim so to this day, despite the fact that there is no evidence to support such a claim. Some Peronists suggest that, due to her heavy work schedule toward the end of her life, Evita did not have the time to have sexual relations with her husband. In both evaluations of her character her sexuality, her virginity, is important, and can therefore be seen as a result of the Catholic value system that permeates all Hispanic cultures. Evita is thus judged against the archetype of "Marianismo" (The Virgin Mary, and her accompanying ideals and virtues). The author also argues, as indicated by the book title, that the myths surrounding Evita are not only linked to Argentine ideas of womanhood, but international and cross-cultural ideas of womanhood and the "mysterious" powers often subscribed to them in relation to their ability to give birth, and their alleged potential for "corrupting" influence if not controlled by a man or male-dominated institution (the opposition often complained that her husband, the President, did not keep Evita "in check"). The author further argues that there is evidence that all peoples are likely to subscribe to women spiritual and mystical powers, and that this equation has led to the "saint abroad" - the belief held by many foreigners that Evita's followers saw her as a saint. The most popular example of this "saint abroad" can be found in the musical "Evita," most vividly in the song "Santa Evita" ("Saint Evita").

One of the most fascinating things about this book is the revelation that Evita's followers, the "Descamisados" (Spanish for "the shirtless ones"), generally do not see Evita as a saint, instead they see her in a rather pragmatic light - when asked what Evita meant to them and what she had done, the poor often listed the laws she had advocated and helped to pass, rarely is there mention of supernatural or saintly powers. It appears that it was Evita's opposition and the middle class of Argentina that created the myth that Evita's "gullible" followers saw her as a saint and the possessor of mystical powers; thus the middle class of Argentina created what the author terms a "myth of a myth."

A word of "caution" - this book is not always an easy read. I believe this book is the author's thesis work, and is therefore often full of words that necessitate the aid of a dictionary. Obscure and veiled references and phraseology abound. Often, particularly toward the beginning of the book, the author's paragraphs will consist of one thought repeated several times with different word usage. This book may be something of a struggle for the "lay" reader, myself among them. There are passages in this book that seem as though they are written in another language, perhaps even written with the intention of confusing the reader. But in all, this is a very well written and well-researched book, one of the best examinations available of this fascinating woman (and I have read most of them). Understanding this book is worth the effort for anyone interested in deciphering the myths and meanings behind the myths of the late, great Evita.

Different..Honest..Interesting!.......1998-09-21

This book on Evita is quite different on the part that it was written by someone who went to that country to study how Eva Peron affected the society around her decades later.She is well rounded in her studies of Evita and the different takes on the different myths that surround this girl from the pampas is very interesting.Don't ask me why I gave it Four stars! I'm a man and I love Eva.But,it seems suitable...Okay? Respects to Julie Taylor..of course!

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Purchase of Santa Evita
A great historical novel
Even in death that woman still haunts us...
Eva's death wish come true
Wonderful, mysterious & true events of dead Evita

Santa Evita
Tomas Eloy Martinez
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0679768149
Release Date: 1997-07-29

Amazon.com

Among the great corpses of our age are Lenin, Mao Zedong and Stalin. Mao, at least, is still on view for the masses to see, some two decades after his demise. But no corpse engendered as much intrigue as that of Eva Peron. Elevated to near sainthood in Argentina after her death in 1952, her perfectly preserved corpse was seized by the Argentine Army following the ouster of her husband in 1955. By then, her corpse was the equivalent of a sacred relic, and while army officials wanted to keep it out of the hands of Peronists, they were loath to destroy the corpse for fear of the wrath that might follow. Tomas Eloy Martinez has reassembled the story of the corpse of Eve Peron in Santa Evita, and in the process, produced a riveting, rich book that not only tells the tale of one of the more bizarre sagas in the history of South American politics, but that also gets to the heart of the age-old human impulse to create myths and tell stories.

Book Description

From one of Latin America's finest writers comes a mesmerizing novel about the legendary Eva Peron. Bigger than fiction, Eva Peron was the poor-trash girl who reinvented herself as a beauty, snared Argentina's dictator, reigned as uncrowned queen of the masses, and was struck down by cancer. When her desperate but foxy husband brings Europe's leading embalmer to Eva's deathbed to make her immortal, the fantastical comedy begins.

Customer Reviews:

Purchase of Santa Evita.......2007-03-19

The product was sent to me ahead of schedule and in great condition. The book itself is very well written and interesting. I find the novel to be surprising at every turn. Tomas Eloy Martinez is a fabulous writer. If you get a chance to read the book, please do because it is definitely great to the end.

A great historical novel.......2005-10-19

T. Eloy Martínez offers a truly special portrayal of Argentina's
first lady, Eva Perón. The story of her wandering cadaver is haunting, tragic and at times quite hilarious, and always mind-blowing. I recommend this novel. (I'm not sure the English translation is decent, so if you can, read it in Spanish). It's a great example of the poststructuralist novel of the 20th century.

Even in death that woman still haunts us..........2005-04-21

Spanish author Tomas Eloy Martinez was forced out of Argentina by Isabel Peron (Juan Peron's third wife)so it is no wonder that he is able to speak so passionately about the deposed dictator and his second wife, Evita.

Martinez takes the reader through his mindset while writing the book as he cites interviews with hairdressers, butlers, and other people close to the first lady. He untangles what happened after he death as she is embalmed and shows the life of Moori Koenig, the Colonel who was given the order to get rid of the corpse.

In detail it describes writings and instances that the first lady went through in her final days. Example, her butler rigged her scale so that it would always read 93 pounds. The butler did this so that Eva wouldn't think she was losing weight. There are also instances where he talks about how she would be so persistant to get out of bed that she would get up and get dressed before anyone else came into the room as to not be stopped.

This is a great read particularly if you liked Andrew Lloyd Webber's EVITA and wanted to see what happened to her corpse. I also highly recommend the Argentine film EVA PERON, which details the last year or so of Evita's life.

Eva's death wish come true.......2005-03-26

A fictional account of the myth of Eva Peron that delves into the latin desire to make icons out of humans. Evita is the quintessential rage-filled femme whose ambition still provokes the world, and at least her native Argentina. Her dying wish was to never be forgotten and in the years since she perished in 1952, it has been fulfilled over and over again while her embalmed body rests in peace in the Recoletta cemetary of Buenos Aires.

Wonderful, mysterious & true events of dead Evita.......2005-03-08

I was lucky to read this novel while traveling in Argentina. I like strange & mysterious stuff, so I found the events surrounding the corpse of Evita Peron to be magnetic. Truth is stranger than fiction! A great book that everybody should read whether or not they care a fig about Evita - just to open up minds to the wonders of reality. And, yes, Martinez does drag on at times.

Evita: An Intimate Portrait of Eva Peron

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Eva Peron, Argentina's Golden Goddess
Can pictures of the controversial Argentinian Madonna lie?
A mythical Latin Beauty who had brains, mystery and unimaginable Power.
The best photographic biography about Evita
A compelling visual history of a fascinating woman

Evita: An Intimate Portrait of Eva Peron
Tomas de Elia , and Juan Pablo Queiroz
Manufacturer: Rizzoli International Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0847820289
Release Date: 1997-04-15

Book Description

By the time of her death in 1952 at age 33, the charismatic Argentine first lady Eva Perón--Evita to millions of loyal followers--had become the spiritual leader of the nation, a saintlike figure whose dramatic life would inspire near mythical devotion as well as callous rumors and fierce political debate. Although she wielded privilege and power as the wife of Argentine president Juan Perón and was honored by heads of state and received by the Pope, Evita devoted her life to fighting for the rights of the descamisados, the "shirtless poor" and working-class people of Argentina for whom she had deep compassion.

This lavish photographic chronicle documents the private and public life of Eva Perón, from her modest childhood in the provincial villages of the pampas to her early career as an actress in Buenos Aires, her marriage to Juan Perón, her crucial role in politics, and her extraordinary funeral, when millions of mourners thronged Buenos Aires to view her body, and thousands of small, flower-adorned shrines carpeted the streets. Evita's dramatic life unfolds on these pages with unprecedented immediacy, against the vivid backdrop of real places and events.

These photographs--many of which have never before been published--were discovered in archives and private collections throughout the world, and include images by Alfred Eisenstaedt, Gisèle Freund, and Cornell Capa, as well as reproductions of magazine covers and publicity stills from Evita's acting career, sketches of her jewelry designs by Van Cleef & Arpels, and images of her stunning Dior gowns and wardrobe. For the first time, Eva Perón's sisters have allowed exclusive access to private family photographs.

Extensive captions include anecdotes and excerpts from Evita's impassioned speeches and letters, and with the photographs they offer much more than simply a visual record of Eva Perón's life: This book is a fascinating portrait of a legendary figure of the twentieth century.

Customer Reviews:

Eva Peron, Argentina's Golden Goddess.......2003-09-09

This is a fabulous book which follows the life of Eva Peron through photographs. Francisco M. Rocha tells his account of Eva's life in about seven pages, so there is not a lot of reading to be done. Instead you get hundreds of beautiful pictures ... if a picture is worth a thousand words, this book speaks volumes. There are lots of never before seen photo's from Eva's early life, many studio portraits from her acting days, as well as one of the few surviving official portraits of the Perons. To me the most touching photos are those from the days following her death. It was a fitting tribute to Evita, the thousands of Argentines standing in line for hours and sometimes days just to catch one last glimpse of her beautiful face. As well as the millions of flowers filling the streets of Buenos Aires. You can almost feel the grief that filled the air through those tragic days.

There are also many photos of Eva's decline ... that proud, elegant creature shrunken down to a fragile waif and of her triumphant tour through Europe. The Peron's lavish life-stlye is also on display here ... the legendary Dior gowns, the millions of dollars worth of jewelry and the palatial Presidential Palace (destroyed in the revoltion of 1955) where Evita kept a storeroom for clothing, food and also offered as a shelter to the homeless.

Evita's life was distinctly cut up into sections, her poor childhood, her acting days, the glorious days as First lady, and her death. The are all documented her beautifully in the lavish photos and detailed captions.

Eva Peron is perhaps one of history's greatest mysteries. Many have called her a whore and a thief. Still there are countless others who attest to her sainthood. The truth is no one really knows what Evita was hiding behind those piercing eyes and no one ever will. What we do know is that in her short life, she accomplished amazing feats. For a poor illegitimate girl from the pampas to reinvent herself as an actress is extraordinary. For an actress no one took seriously to become the First Lady of Argentina and to win over the hearts of millions really is mind blowing. Evita was only 33 years old when she died, who knows what else she could have accomplished?

Can pictures of the controversial Argentinian Madonna lie?.......2003-08-01

As a photographic biography of an individual who died about a decade before bographies were featured on mass television, this book is magnificent. The Argentinian publishers painstakingly compiled nearly 200 pages of many elusive photos of this controversial Argentinian icon - all in black and white, and of surprisingly impeccable quality. One of the auhtors is an academic who provides much of the narrative, and fills an important gap in the literature on Eva Peron. Their treatment shows a clear sympathetic bias which should be recognized by any unwitting reader who may be unaware of the deeply split views of Eva Peron which still previal in Argentina and of the political movement that she and her husband created.

You may, like myself, have enjoyed the brilliant Lloyd and Weber musical about Evita's musical life one or more times. If so, you will find these photos will provide some complementary historical insight to the dramatic performance and parallels the performance - although they two are unrealted, as far as I know. Like the musical, this book captures photos from Eva's childhood in a remote provincial pueblo in the pampas through her meteoric rise to stardom in Buenos Aires and ultimately to Argentina's First Lady. Perhaps most remarkable are the photos of her final months where, despite her cancer-ridden state and growing frailty, she continues public appearances and political campaigns.

If you are interested in this book, I would recommend you avoid the expense of a new copy by looking for one of the many high-quality second-hand copies available. I found my copy by accident ...for [money amount]!

A mythical Latin Beauty who had brains, mystery and unimaginable Power........2003-02-02

Before Princess Diana, before Jackie O, even before Princess Grace, Eva "Evita" Peron made a name for herself in the international spotlight as a symbol of elegance, ambition and power. Although not always favourable to her character, the world press was intrigued by her obvious glamour. While the Peronist Argentine media labelled her with saintly nicknames such as "The Lady of Hope" and "Mother of the Poor", international correspondents used terms that were less meaningful and more shallow. She became known as "The Dashing Blonde" in the US while the french press labelled her as "La Belle Blonde D'Argentina".

Argentina's first cover girl- Eva Peron's lovely face has graced more magazine covers around the globe than any other female Latin American political leader in history. She's also the only Latin American First Lady to have had the honour of gracing the coveted cover of TIME magazine- in June of 1947 and with her husband in 1951. This may not seem like a big deal NOW but at the time, it was a honour indeed and it should be noted that throughout the 30's & 40's not many woman made the cover of TIME magazine. In 1947 for instance, only a handful of women (6 - according to a source) made the cover that year - If I'm not mistaken Eva Peron was the third. Flipping through the thick pages of this book, it's not hard to see why so many were fascinated by this striking but controversial woman who wore expensive clothes, decorated herself with diamonds and wrapped her femininity in elaborate fur coats. But solely praising her for her looks is missing the point since it was her larger than life persona, her numerous works with Argentina's poor and her meteoric rise from obscurity to power that has kept her name and legacy alive.

This visually informative book is one of the BEST books there is on Maria Eva Duarte de Peron. It offer's an in-depth look into her life using high quality glossy prints. Many of the images presented inside the book are striking photographs of Eva's handsome face with her golden blonde hair and it's metallic sheen either swept up into elaborate coils & curls or pulled back into it's trademark chignon or (in a couple of images) let loose to cascade over her shoulders. Her intoxicating beauty is evident and is the main showcase here but while most of these pictures show her at her most beautiful, others show us her lamentable decline as well. The once delectable body and face gave way to an extremely thin and frail woman with sad eyes and colourless skin. Her swift rise and rapid descent are all displayed infront of our curious eyes. For those of you who love Evita, it will definately arouse some type of emotion seeing her during her final struggles. For those of you who despise her, it might give you a sense of relief that this powerful & vulgar woman was finally silenced in death.

Stikingly original and visually rousing, this book is highly recommended to anyone who is interested in learning more about the life and times of this remarkable but controversial figure (altough the book itself maybe a little TOO expensive for the casual curiosity seeker, in that case I recommend buying a good used copy). It's also one of the rare PRO EVITA books (in English) that offers such clear, good quality photos of the subject. It offers a brief intro and briography but the main attraction are the photographs. You will see Eva's life from the earliest childhood photos to the last Cancer Stricken photos. Her incredible matamorphesis, her incredible acheivements and her awesome gowns and jewels are all displayed within the pages of this interesting book. My only problem with it though is that despite the amazing amount of photographs, I was still left unsatisfied. The reason being is that there are HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of beautiful photo's from Eva's artistic career but the ones they chose to display are the ones we have already seen. The same goes with the photo's taken of her in Europe and of her candid moments. The book claims that many of the photographs have never been seen before but that is true only of her childhood photos, all of the other ones have been published before in several magazines and books. That said, it's still THE BEST photographic Book ever released in North America. The only other ones that come close are ALL visciously one-sided ANTI PERONIST accounts- Lloyd Weber's and Tim Rice's EVITA: THE LEGEND OF EVA PERON & W.A Harbinson's awful EVITA: A LEGEND FOR THE SEVENTIES- the latter remains the WORST biography ever written on the subject and was re-released as EVITA SAINT OR SINNER in 1996 however only the original 70's version contains an amazing collection of photos which is the only reason it's recomended.

And for closing, I am quoting my Chilean Aunts mother (who lived in Argentina during the first Peronist Period): "I saw her from the distance and to this day I have never seen a woman more beautiful. She was and is a Goddess. Everything about her was larger than life. She looked my way and her dark eyes pierced my soul. I will never forget her look."

This book offers a glimpse of the awesome power this remarkable woman had in life and still holds 50 years after her tragic demise.

The best photographic biography about Evita.......2003-01-20

EVITA: AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF EVA PERON is the best photographic record available of Eva Peron, First Lady of Argentina from 1946 to 1952. ("Evita," meaning "Little Eva," was her nickname.)

Evita lived in a time before television was widely used, and since she was a politician she did not have many spreads in glossy magazines (once she became First Lady, her "cheesecake" portraits - taken while she was an actress - were supressed). Therefore, most of her pictures were used in newspapers, giving them a grainy feel. Often, the quality of pictures you find of Evita seem to be much poorer quality than what you would expect from something taken merely 50 years ago. EVITA: AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF EVA PERON is an exception, perhaps the best exception I have ever found. Most of these pictures are clear and crisp, though they are all black-and-white.

One thing this collection of pictures reveals is that Evita truly was not what would be considered a conventionally beautiful woman. She was certainly beautiful in her publicity photos and propaganda portraits (some of which are reproduced here). But in a day-to-day setting - such as the enclosed pictures that depict her having lunch, leaning against her dresser, yelling at a policeman for obstructing a youth's access to her - she was a somewhat awkward, even at times homely, woman. But she was a master of image. As Nicholas Fraser and Marysa Navarro point out in EVITA: THE REAL LIFE OF EVA PERON, she had an astonishing instinct, almost a sixth sense, for knowing how image affected people. This talent of hers is demonstrated when one constrasts the behind-the-scenes pictures of her as an awkward woman, with those gorgeous photos of Peronist propaganda. She wasn't a conventionally beautiful woman, but she knew how to make it seem as though she were.

The portions of EVITA: AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF EVA PERON that I found most interesting, and most haunting, were of Eva as a young girl in her hometown of Junin, and the pictures taken of her shortly before her death. There is one particularly chilling scene of Evita, reduced to a mere 77 pounds by the cancer that had invaded her body, standing on the balcony of the government house to greet the tens of thousands gathered below. She spoke, yelled, actually, about taking justice into her own hands, warning her political enemies of the day that she would "go forth with the poor of the country and leave no brick standing that is not standing for Peron!" The rise from poverty, the contrasts, the extremes ... it's all palpable in these pictures.

This woman was a genius.

A compelling visual history of a fascinating woman.......2002-03-19

"Evita: An Intimate Portrait of Eva Peron," edited by Tomas de Elia and Juan Pablo Quieroz, brings together a wealth of black-and-white photographs of Eva Peron, the legendary first lady of Argentina. The editors note in their preface that with the 1955 overthrow of Eva's husband, President Juan Peron, much visual material related to this controversial woman was destroyed. Thus, this book has significant historical and sociological value.

We see the full span of the woman's extraordinary life: Eva as a child, aspiring actress, wife, and triumphant first lady. There are "glamour shot" portraits, candid photos, magazine covers, stills from film productions, and more. We see Eva and her husband, as well as her interaction with adoring crowds.

Eva is a consistently fascinating subject: whether fiery, starry-eyed, thoughtful, amused, determined, or serene, you can see why she continues to captivate so many imaginations.

Customer Reviews:

Informative and Interesting.......1999-01-16

I got this book from the library along with about 20 others for a research project on Eva Peron and her links to the women's movement/feminism. I started skimming and ended up reading every word. Carlson demonstrates a strong command of information, along with a gift for writing that makes it all very interesting to read.

Peron Willing!: Classic Peronist Graphics

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Peron propaganda...
"She Came From the People..."

Peron Willing!: Classic Peronist Graphics
Horacio Gonzalez , Eduardo Lopez , and Daniel Santoro
Manufacturer: La Marca Editora
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

Eva Peron (1919-1952) was the First Lady of Argentina from 1946 until her death in 1952. Often referred to as "Evita," she was never an officially elected political figure, but by her husband's second term as President, she had become the most powerful woman in the history of her nation. By the 1960s, Evita was an international pop-culture icon; in the 1970s, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice wrote the blockbuster musical Evita about her; and in the mid-90s, the musical was adapted to a movie starring Madonna. This small, chunky paperback features all manner of vintage graphic treatments from the era of Evita--from candid portraits with her husband and two poodles to futuristic airplane designs to children's books which used the letters of her name to teach spelling. As Jorge Luis Borges once said, "Peronists are neither good nor bad, they are incorrigible."

Customer Reviews:

Peron propaganda..........2007-09-25

This is a great book. Lots of Peronist images to show how important propaganda was to the Perons. The introduction is in Spanish, but there is an English translation at the end of the book. Well worth it.

"She Came From the People...".......2007-04-04

This curious little item offers hundreds of colorful images of Peronist Argentina during Peron's first 2 terms in office. Both Juan and Eva's faces graced several pro-Peronist magazines such as "Mundo Peronista" and several of those covers are showcased here. What is interesting is the romantic image they chose to display to their adoring "Descamisados". Juan usually appeared as a charismatic strongman, tall, imposing, with a ready smile and Eva, his caring and nurturing spouse, gracious and elegant, with a warm smile, always ready to give a helping hand. Eva Peron herself was a potent mixture of youth, power and glamour. Her image was used effectively in the covers of magazines, posters and buttons. In several of these illustrations, she appears as an ethereal being, blonde & lovely, a complete contrast to the vulgar images of those who despised her, her husband and their controversial movement.

The book itself offers very little written information pertaining to the Peron's history and their myth making and concentrates more on the pictures. All of them taken from magazines, newspapers, posters, flyers, buttons, children's textbooks etc from the time period and those who are interested in the Peron legend will find this book rather interesting. It is obvious to the observer that the Peron's did everything in their power to feed the "White" myth, especially in Eva's case. In several drawings and doctored photographs, she is portrayed as a saintly goddess looking up at the heavens or looking down at her children and/or surrounded by light giving her the essence of a saint. One must keep in mind that the majority of these images were displayed after Eva's untimely death, since her people mourned her immensely, these images of a beautiful, healthy, smiling Eva Peron up in the heavens must have been comforting to her people and is reason enough to understand the constant use of this "saintly" image and since Juan Peron realized that she was a major factor within his government and therefore a major loss, he more than welcomed it and did nothing to discourage it. Peron knew that her legend was more potent then his and he must have realized the day he was ousted in 1955 that he would spend the rest of his life living in Evita's shadow.

Juan and Eva are both dead and have been for a very long time yet they remain very much alive in their native Argentina where they're loved and despised with equal abandon. It is safe to say that they were successful in their efforts in immortalizing their legend. This book shows us just how they did it. At a time when a nation was at its most vulnerable, they created a myth and cemented it in the hearts of their people. Whether through skillful manipulation or through genuine desire to help the nation and its poor is open to discussion but considering their impact in Argentina, one cannot deny their brilliance.

"Peron Willing" is recommended to the history buff and of course to Juan and Eva Peron's admirers since it offers a valuable insight to their everlasting legend. I just wished the book was bigger and more comprehensive since several of these colorized prints are striking and would have benefited greatly in a larger format. But it's still a good purchase and the book itself is thick and well put together.

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Senora Eva Maria Duarte de Peron was Miss Understood
A 'must' for any who would understand Argentinean politics
Excellent book
There's a message here for you from Evita.
evita saint or sinner ... saint

Evita: In My Own Words
Eva Peron , Joseph A. Page , and Laura Dail
Manufacturer: New Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1565843533

Amazon.com

In My Own Words is extracted from a document, "My Message," purportedly written by Evita on her deathbed. The introduction by Joseph A. Page of Georgetown University argues for the authenticity of the document and provides a useful introduction to Evita's life and work. Evita rose from illegitimacy and poverty in rural Argentina to a stellar life as a celebrated beauty and consort of Juan Peron, president of Argentina. Evita as First Lady famously looked after the poor of her country and was beloved by ordinary people. She died tragically of uterine cancer at the age of 33 and became an icon for Argentina.

Book Description

A new edition of the controversial "deathbed manuscript" attributed to Eva Perón.

In 1987, a document that appeared to be the long-lost deathbed manuscript of Eva Perón was found in a government archive in Buenos Aires. Rumor had it that the manuscript, which is critical of the Argentine church and military, had been suppressed for thirty years after Evita's death by her husband, Argentine President Juan Perón.

First published in the United States by The New Press in 1996, the book remains a fascinating historical document and memoir at a time when Argentina is back in the headlines and trials of leading officials from the Perón era are underway. Leading Perón scholars disagree about whether Evita wrote every word herself, and Evita: In My Own Words includes an extensive introduction by Perón scholar Joseph A. Page, who weighs all the claims and counterclaims about the document's authenticity and provides an essential historical framework for Eva Perón's life.

Evita offers a firsthand glimpse of the woman who left an indelible if controversial mark on Argentina, and, at the time of her death at age thirty-three, was considered one of the most powerful women in the world. Originally published as In My Own Words.

Customer Reviews:

Senora Eva Maria Duarte de Peron was Miss Understood.......2006-11-04

The words to a song in the famous musical based on her life says it all:

Eva beware your ambition
It's hungry and cold, can't be controlled, will run wild
This in a man is danger enough, but you are a woman
Not even a woman, not very much more than a child
And whatever you say, I'll not steal you away

The 15 year old Eva Duarte left for Buenos Aires and never came back, and her anger-driven ambition was uncontrolled, unyielding, and unquenchable in its thirst for power and fame and above all else ... revenge. She was more dangerous than her husband and more in charge of the country than he was. Juan Peron's political power depended on Eva and when she died he was exiled in a military coup. Santa Evita to the poor and a evil goddess to the upper classes. She flashed money to hide her shame and deep seated insecurity that never went away. From her humble beginnings in a dirt poor house, an illegitimate and unwanted youngest daughter, to the First Lady of Argentina ... it was her ambition that ultimately destroyed her. Eva worked herself to death at the young age of 33.

A 'must' for any who would understand Argentinean politics.......2005-09-05

In 1987 a document which appeared to be the deathbed manuscript of Eva Peron was found in a government archive: here it is in paperback, blending a memoir with controversial political insights into Argentina politics. It's not only controversial for its views, but leading scholars question whether Evita wrote this herself: a detailed introduction by Peron scholar Joseph A. Page presents pro and con arguments surrounding its authenticity. A 'must' for any who would understand Argentinean politics.

Excellent book.......2005-08-03

This book is an amazing peek into the complex woman that was Eva Peron. To read her words and thoughts almost feels sinful; as if I am reading the diary of an old friend. If you want the real story of the last weeks of Sra. Peron's life, read this book.

There's a message here for you from Evita........2003-06-25

Yes, THAT Evita. Eva Peron. From Argentina. Yes, it IS for you. Yes, she HAS been dead for fifty years. But in 1952 she wrote a book, "Mi Mensaje (My Message)." She knew her days were numbered, so she used those days for writing, and she left a message for the living. That's you.
It's a view from inside the head of a charismatic leader, the most powerful woman on earth. It's highly personal, highly political, and highly emotional. For reasons you can guess, in this, her last book, she saw no need to be politically correct--and it isn't. Without mentioning any names, she says exactly what she thinks about people, power, the Church, and the military. And precisely because she doesn't mention names, these views of hers are still relevant today.
This Message also requests a response: it is a call to action--yours.
"My Message" has been a long time coming. Too dangerous for the political climate of 1952, it has only recently seen the light of day--and even more recently translated into English, under the title "In My Own Words." It's a message for you from the real Evita.

evita saint or sinner ... saint.......2001-12-06

Eva Peron was a remarkable woman and had so many tallents and now we have just learned another one of those talents, wrighting. I think this book was remarkable and it sounds very personal. It makes me believe more that she cared for the poor people of her country. She may have made people believe that she was just a slut and married Juan Peron for the fame and welth but i don't believe that i believe Eva Peron was a saint "SANTA EVITA"

Eva Peron: First Lady of the People (Fact Finders)

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"Eva Peron: First Lady of the People" is a Brief, Uncomplicated Biography for the Young Reader.

Eva Peron: First Lady of the People (Fact Finders)
Kremena Spengler
Manufacturer: Fact Finders
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

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ASIN: 0736864156

Customer Reviews:

"Eva Peron: First Lady of the People" is a Brief, Uncomplicated Biography for the Young Reader........2007-01-20

This curious item is a basic, straight-forward biography of Argentina's Eva Duarte Peron. It is targetted for the young reader and it's an illustrated (photos), easy to read hard-cover narrative with some interesting pictures.

The only minor complaints I had with the book was that the author kept referring to Eva as "Peron" and at times, I got confused since Eva is usually referred to as "Eva" and/or "Evita". And let's remember that when Eva arrived in Buenos Aires in 1935 at the age of 15, she was Eva Duarte; a thin, ambitious brunette and not Eva Peron, the glamorous blonde beauty of a decade later. The pictures were also a bit of a let down since some were inferior reproductions and hardly any pictures of Eva's artistic period are displayed. They do include a glossy, air-brushed studio portrait of Norma Shearer.(??)

Still this book is interesting enough to keep the young reader intrigued. Who would have thought that a controversial woman like Eva Peron would be given such an admirable, G-rated retelling of her amazing and all too brief life?

3 stars for the effort but it could have been much better.

Average customer rating:

loses something in translation
An Epic Tale That Combines History and Mythology.
Patron Saint of Ambition
A biography which lapses into romantic best-seller style
Unfortunate dramatization of an already dramatic story

Eva Peron: A Biography
Alicia Dujovne Ortiz
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0312168276

Amazon.com

A biography of Evita, the saintly madonna of Argentina which leans more toward entertainment than heavy history. Ortiz recounts Eva Peron's humble birth, her extraordinary rise to power in Argentina at the side of her husband General Juan Peron, and her short and legendary reign as a virtual queen, dispensing comfort to the masses before she died from cancer at 33. Evita was christened Eva Maria Duarte by her mother, whose liberal sex life was a necessary response to poverty. The beautiful Eva found the same necessity when she went to find work as an actress in Buenos Aires. Eva's power over men eventually caught General Peron, and together their hatred of the ruling oligarchy reshaped the country. It is a political story with enough spice to make a dozen bodice-ripping novels.

Book Description

What fed Eva Peron's desire to be the savior Argentina's working class. Comprehensive and dramatic biography.

Customer Reviews:

loses something in translation.......2006-06-14

In English, this book often reads more like a romance novel than like a serious biography; I do not know whether it reads that way in the original language. It seems more like a work of poetry than a work of prose- not as many cold hard facts as I would have expected from a biography, but some vivid character portraits. Eva Peron comes across as a kind of overgrown child, alternatively desperate to be somebody, do good, and fulfill her whimsical desires for elegance and ego gratification. Her husband comes across as a cold fish, someone who would never have risen to the top in a bigger country with a larger talent pool.

An Epic Tale That Combines History and Mythology. .......2006-04-25

Alicia Dujovne Ortiz's major biography of Eva Peron is an interesting book chronicling the rise and fall of Argentina's most famous First-Lady.

Out of the many biographies written about Eva Peron, this is one of the better-researched interpretations so I definitely recommend it over the many other more sensationalized accounts. However, this is far from being the best of the lot. In my opinion, Nicholas Fraser and Marysa Navarro's book "Evita: The Real Life of Eva Peron" is the best written in the English language even though it's over 20 years old. Julie M Taylor's "Eva Peron: The Myths of a Woman" is also excellent and insightful, especially in getting a better understanding of the many myths this legendary woman inspired. Robert Crassweller's "Peron and the Enigmas of Argentina" also deserves mention because it is an excellent book, not just about Eva but of Peron and Peronism in general.

Ortiz's book is well researched but sometimes her personal opinion of Eva gets in the way. I guess it's to be expected when you have a woman analyze another woman who is renowned for her glamour and personal style. Ortiz does a good job laying out Eva's life from her humble beginnings to her amazing transformation into "Evita", the imposing and elegant blonde crusader of the less-fortunate. Ortiz uses a lot of witness testimony and she goes into detail when covering Eva's charitable work and Social Aid Foundation however it's nowhere near as detailed or as enlightening as the Spanish edition of her book which is disappointing and I will get into it a little later. Like Fraser/Navarro, Taylor, Crassweller and the several other historians/scholars who have researched Eva Peron and have written well-documented accounts, Ortiz also tries to separate myth from fact. Although at times, she is a bit rough towards the legend she is writing about, the author treats her sympathetically and portrays the mysterious Eva as a flawed but exceptional woman.

Eva's detractor's, on the other hand, have portrayed her as a one-dimensional caricature devoid of any human emotion and morals. Evita, in the eyes of Anti-Peronist biographers such as Mary Main, WA Harbinson, Paul L Montgomery etc, was a beautiful, murderous monster who was smarter than every single person alive in Argentina at the time and anyone who crossed her path fell victim to her dark, sinister charms. These writers dissect and bring to light every single negative character flaw, real or imagined, this woman may have possessed. They choose to ignore the 1000+ schools, 100+ hospitals and the thousands of other establishments such as homes, hostels and orphanages that Eva through her foundation built between 1948-1952. They hardly pay any attention to the food, medicine and money Eva personally handed out from her desk at the Evita Foundation or when she traveled to shanty-towns or remote, country villages. They may mention that through Eva's foundation several malnourished children finally received health care and food; they may hint at the fact that because of her several thousand impoverished country folk finally received running water and electricity; they may mention as a footnote that Eva sent First-Aid and food to countries outside of Argentina's borders such as Colombia, Ecuador, Turkey, Israel and the US but they will cite exploitation and self-aggrandizement as Eva's principal motive. But no matter how much they try to condemn her, the result is always the same, unintentional glorification. They loathe this bejeweled beauty but can't help love her all the same. The musical "Evita" is a perfect example of this. No matter how much it tries to discredit her, Eva's poetic image is what hovers in most people's mind long after the curtain descends. Most will remember an impeccably dressed blonde clutching a microphone and the famous taglines such as "She Seduced a Nation" or "EVITA IS IMMORTAL" or "EVITA will stir you to your very soul". These are hardly ways to represent such an amoral, corrupt megalomaniac who slept her way to fame.

This major biography of Eva Duarte de Peron was released around the same time as the film in 1996 (at least the English version was). It was originally written in French and later translated into several languages. It is very detailed and it held my interest throughout but having read the Spanish translation, this English version is a poor imitation. I'm not sure how close to the original the Spanish translation is but in comparing it to this, I noticed that the English edition is heavily edited and in some instances, very poorly translated. For those of you who can read Spanish, I recommend that version instead as it is far more complete. Having said that, Alicia Dujovne Ortiz treats Eva Duarte Peron as a flawed but extraordinary human being. After all that's exactly what Evita was, flawed but extraordinary? I guess that's how she should be remembered.

Patron Saint of Ambition.......2005-03-26

The dark myth of the white Santa Evita whose legacy as the patron saint of Argentina's poor. Ortiz paints a raw, compelling, and ruthless drive of one woman whose innate desire to rise above her shameful beginnings is riveting and profoundly sorrowful despite Eva's scliptic rise to power.

A biography which lapses into romantic best-seller style.......2003-09-12

I have yet to find an entirely satisfactory biography of Argentina's controversial first lady once widely revered as a saintly Madonna. This book is written chronologically, from the subject's birth in an unremarkable Argentinean provincial town, to her death and the return of her body to Argentina in 1974. It strives to be balanced and to summarize the evidence around various controversial points regarding the life of Eva Peron.

Unfortunately, this book, written by a Paris-based Argentinean-born journalist, while thoroughly entertaining, can hardly qualify as a serious historical or political analysis of Eva Peron and her times. Having only read the English version, it is hard to judge whether the translation is awkward is some places, or whether the original prose also lapses into a saccharine style of romantic best sellers. Even as a journalistic book on this subject, you might find a better, more articulate, and shorter account (which does draw from this book by Ortiz) in Looking for History: Dispatches from Latin America, by Alma Guillermoprieto (which I have also reviewed of this website).

There are some interesting photos in this book, but if it is photos of Evita and her times which interest you, I would recommend Evita: An Intimate Portrait of Eva Peron, by Tomas De Elia, which I have also reviewed on this site.

Unfortunate dramatization of an already dramatic story.......2003-01-31

EVA PERON by Alicia Dujovne Ortiz is not a good book. It is not helped by the fact that, as others have noted, it was originally written in another language. As is often the case, something was lost in the translation. In addition to being overly dramatic, at times tabloid-ishly so, it is plagued with historical inaccuracies: it uses the terms "dictator" and "fascist" to refer to Peron. Such accusations are by now passe to the serious biographer of Peron and Evita. As Robert D. Crassweller points out in PERON AND THE ENIGMAS OF ARGENTINA, "Peronism was not fascism ... (it was) an authoritarian populist movement, strongly colored by Catholic social thought (and) by nationalism [pp. 220-223]."

After reading EVA PERON by Alicia Dujovne Ortiz, I was left wondering what the point of it was. Why was this book published? It really has nothing of substance to offer. Obviously, it was published to coincide with the release of Madonna's movie EVITA and to capitalize on the renewed interest in the historical Eva Peron.

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