Life and Death in the Andes: On the Trail of Bandits, Heroes, and Revolutionaries by Kim MacQuarrie (PDF)

Description

“A thoughtfully observed travel memoir and history as richly detailed as it is deeply felt” (Kirkus Reviews) of South America, from Butch Cassidy to Che Guevara to cocaine king Pablo Escobar to Charles Darwin, all set in the Andes Mountains.The Andes Mountains are the world’s longest mountain chain, linking most of the countries in South America. Kim MacQuarrie takes us on a historical journey through this unique region, bringing fresh insight and contemporary connections to such fabled characters as Charles Darwin, Che Guevara, Pablo Escobar, Butch Cassidy, Thor Heyerdahl, and others. He describes living on the floating islands of Lake Titcaca. He introduces us to a Patagonian woman who is the last living speaker of her language. We meet the woman who cared for the wounded Che Guevara just before he died, the police officer who captured cocaine king Pablo Escobar, the dancer who hid Shining Path guerrilla Abimael Guzman, and a man whose grandfather witnessed the death of Butch Cassidy. Collectively these stories tell us something about the spirit of South America. What makes South America different from other continents—and what makes the cultures of the Andes different from other cultures found there? How did the capitalism introduced by the Spaniards change South America? Why did Shining Path leader Guzman nearly succeed in his revolutionary quest while Che Guevara in Bolivia was a complete failure in his? “MacQuarrie writes smartly and engagingly and with…enthusiasm about the variety of South America’s life and landscape” (The New York Times Book Review) in Life and Death in the Andes. Based on the author’s own deeply observed travels, “this is a well-written, immersive work that history aficionados, particularly those with an affinity for Latin America, will relish” (Library Journal).

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I lived in Peru for many years and Kim Macquarrie’s book “The Last Days of the Incas” was my constant reference book during that time period.Needless to say, I was ecstatic to learn of his writing “Life and Death in the Andes” and pre-ordered many months before the release on December 1st. I’ve been glued to the book since.Kim has the ability to share so much knowledge and detail on cultural, historical, anthropological, geographical, environmental, etc aspects but in a way that leaves you not wanting to put the book down and as if you are along on a great adventure story. He is not only a leading authority on all things South American, but a true adventurer as well,so his descriptions are amazing and keep you turning pages but at the same time learning so, so much.This book reminds me a lot of a few of my other favorite books on South America; “One River” by Wade Davis, and “Running the Amazon” and “Savages” by author Joe Kane. But if I was headed to South America and was to take along just one, it would be “Life and Death in the Andes” due to the scope and variety of stories contained within.A must buy book for anyone interested in South America, adventure, history, cultures..the list goes on!

⭐What a super super book. I went to Peru first in ’09 and then went back again and this time included Boliva in Oct. 2015. I read MacQuarrie’s The Last Days of the Incas after fist trip. That should be required reading for any and all going to Machu Picchu. This book should be required of anyone going other areas of Peru and to Bolivia. I have been to many of the places he covered and really enjoyed re-living my experience. We did get to see the Ice Maiden of Ampato in her current resting place in Arequipa. Cusco is my most favorite city which was not on the itinerary for latest trip. Sorry that I have not been to the Center for Traditional Textiles. Maybe reason for another trip there. There is a similar place in Bolivia. We also got meet and talk with Paulino Esteban – what an experience and so glad he is in this book. I thought I learned much on my trips but MacQuarrie gave me so much more. I am recommending it to the group on the Oct. trip and other like-minded friends. The histories and cultures of all these South American countries are so deep and varied and fascinating. I only hope MacQuarrie keeps traveling and writing.

⭐I loved Kim’s book about the last days of the Incas, I read it after my first big international trip. I went to Peru and it filled in lots of gaps for me, made me want to go back again one day.I was so excited for this book to come out, seemed right up my alley. It’s basically 9 or so short articles about interesting things in South American history. It’s very well written, you can feel the passion he has for that part of the world. It will make you want to buy a new book after each chapter. He lightly delves Into these stories so you’ll probably want to go on and do some more research after you finish. I can’t think of a better way to recommend a book. You’ll read it and be thirsty for more.The only gripe I have is: I think it could have been a great travelogue as well. I would have loved a few paragraphs here and there about the actual road trip down the west coast of the continent. he could have tied things together really well and made a masterpiece. But, that’s a small gripe. I loved this book and I hope Kim keeps writing.

⭐I thoroughly enjoyed this book—and I learned a lot!This well-researched book was very informative on many events that had occurred in South America that I knew very little about. I found the details of how the Shining Path, a terrorist group in Peru, and the biggest drug cartel of Medallin in Columbia, developed and ended. I also liked reading about Darwin and how he came about with his ground-breaking ideas of evolution. I truly want to visit the Galapagos Islands some day! WOW! I didn’t know about the floating islands and the lifestyle on Lake Titicaca.The intelligence of the author came through many times and especially with his discussion of Kon Tiki and the theories that surrounded the exploration done by Thor Heyderdahl. Who influenced who? The natives from South America visiting the Polynesian Islands or the Polynesians coming the South America.?This is a well-written book, easy to read and understand and I recommend it.

⭐This is an excellent history of the Spanish conquest of Peru and its aftermath. Detailed history of Inca resistance and initial losses. It was a much hard fought colonization than usually presented in history books. Give lush detail on the activities of the later Inca emperor in their struggle to rid themselves of the Spanish. The one drawback is that MacQuarrie give little ;credit to the Indian allies of the Spanish. He makes it sound like a small band of Spanish on horses fended off hundreds of thousands of the Incas and there allies in one siege that last for more than a year. At the same time, it is clear that the Incas had powerful native enemies. This part of the story is hardly convincing. Otherwise it is a great read,

⭐Excellent! I bought this title as a way of beginning exploration of South America where I am hoping to travel in the near future. I picked this particular book due to the fact that it integrates a geographical place with some of it’s history, prominent events or people as well as including the present experience of the author as he traces in the same footsteps. I am partial to Tony Horwitz books for the same reason. I was sorry when the book ended.

⭐This is such a great book that leaves you with so many crazy stories and interesting anecdotes about South American history, both old and recent. You will learn so much while following Kim’s travels down the continent!

⭐Really good book and I was thoroughly enjoying it. So imagine my disappointment when I reached page 268, moved to the next page and found I was on page 333. I have checked through and I’m missing about 40 pages of the book overall, with the second half being completely jumbled. This isn’t Kim MacQuarrie’s fault and I feel bad leaving a bad review on the book, but if you are buying from the same source then you should be aware that you may get a duff copy.

⭐Really interesting and well written book giving a more accessible social history of the region.

⭐Covers a lot of interesting topics to give you a flavor of South American History without too much detail.

⭐Some interesting stories here. I read this in Sth. America and glad I did. It history miXed with some fact and tries to find the truth in fiction of the Andes.

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