“Monumental, stupendous. . . . a must-read for anyone who wants to understand this hemisphere.”
~Julia Alvarez
“Meticulously researched, the book’s greatest strengths are the power of its epic narrative, the beauty of its prose and its rich portrayals of character. . . . a marvelous book.”
~The Washington Post
“A lively and learned account of Latin America, ingeniously structured.”
~The New York Times
A major work of history, Bolivar colorfully portrays a dramatic life even as it explains the rivalries and turmoil that bedeviled Bolivar’s tragic last days.
“Finally, Bolivar gets the sweeping biography he deserves. He was the greatest leader in Latin American history, and his tale is filled with lessons about leadership and passion. This book reads like a wonderful novel but is researched like a masterwork of history.” –Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs
Marie is a Peruvian-American author of nonfiction and fiction as well as the inaugural Literary Director of the Library of Congress. She is the recipient of a 2020 literary award from the American Academy of Arts & Letters. Among her recent positions are: Director of the National Book Festival, the John W. Kluge Center’s Chair of the Cultures of the Countries of the South, and Writer at Large for the Washington Post. For many years, she was editor-in-chief of the Washington Post’s book review section, Book World.
Silver, Sword and Stone
News & Events
Politics and Prose: Review of Silver Sword and Stone
In Silver, Sword, and Stone Marie Arana seamlessly weaves these stories with the history of the past millennium to explain three enduring themes that have defined Latin America since pre-Columbian times: the foreign greed for its mineral riches, an ingrained propensity to violence, and the abiding power of religion.
Read MoreEvents: Book Tour & Regular Programs
Here are the dates and locations for my upcoming book tour for Silver, Sword, and Stone.
Read MoreVideo: Marie Arana discusses her book Silver, Sword and Stone
Marie Arana on the Three Crucibles of Latin American History. Author and National Book Award finalist, Marie Arana, tells us about her newest book Silver, Sword, and Stone, a powerful narrative about the three enduring forces that have defined Latin America, and its people, since pre-Columbian times.
Read MoreSilver, Sword, and Stone – New Book
Coming soon! Marie’s new book about Three Crucibles in the Latin American Story. Three ordinary Latin Americans against 1,000 years of history and why their…
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