“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
“Bolívar” is chosen as one of the top 10 books by Latinos in 2014.
NBC-News, a major television network in the U.S., has chosen Marie Arana’s “Bolívar” as one of the top 10 books of the year in 2014.…
Read MoreMarie’s review of José Saramago’s “Skylight”
Saramago’s just published and long-neglected novel is a sketchbook for the superb work that Saramago would ultimately produce. And yet, there is no shortage of…
Read MoreNadine Gordimer reflects on her Writing Life. With a profile by Marie Arana.
Nadine Gordimer’s essay appeared in The Washington Post as part of Marie’s Book World series, “The Writing Life.” Scroll to the bottom to read Marie’s…
Read More“Bolívar” wins the 2014 Los Angeles Times Book Prize in biography
On April 11, 2014, Marie’s “Bolívar: American Liberator” won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for biography. The jury’s citation read: “In this glowing and…
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