Evita: The Real Life of Eva Peron

Having only lived 33 years and been in the public spotlight for the last six, one woman has become in the 60+ years since her death the most iconic and polarizing woman in her country without even holding political office. Nicholas Fraser in his work, Evita: The Real Life of Eva Peron, navigates between the fantastical versions of her life to find the real woman and put her into the context of the Argentina of her time before during and after her life.Given the multitude of circumstances that Fraser faced to get an accurate portrait of Eva Peron, including her attempts to cover up her family’s illegitimacy, the fact that he was able to give a full account of her is noteworthy. Because of her short lifespan, the book was never going to be long but Fraser also had to contend with explaining the political atmosphere through Eva’s life especially after she became the First Lady of Argentina. Along with all of that, Fraser had to contend with the legendary versions of Eva’s life from both pro- and anti-Peronist sources. Yet the last 30 pages of the book are some of the most fascinating because it details the myth-creating journey that her corpse endured for almost 20 years through several governmental changes before finally being securely laid to rest in Buenos Aires.Although the sensational accounts of Eva Peron’s life make for the ideal basis for musicals and films, the truth is just as fascinating. Nicholas Fraser’s biography of the most iconic Argentine political figure of the 20th-century is as close to the truth of her life as one is going to get and still understand the political atmosphere without getting bogged down in minutiae that would have enlarged the book and drifted away from the subject of the book.

The book, overall, was a "fast, educational read", and was especially informative in providing historical context to the circumstances (world & local) that led to Peron's election. However, once elected, the book provided virtually no information on Peron's regime, except to describe some of his endeavors to appease the workers. Other than allusions to his dictatorial management of the country, however, no real examples were provided of what he did to earn that characterization. The same was true with regard to Evita, who was presented as a woman obsessed with running her Foundation to better her people. Admittedly, some of her extensive personal extravagances to herself were described, but again, except for a couple of examples where she was dismissive of others, or allusions to her ability to produce fear, there were no definitive descriptions of the "sinful Evita". It was like the authors totally glossed over whatever atrocities were carried out by the Peron regime. The book also "failed" in its depiction of the relationship of Peron and Evita, providing virtually no insight into "how they came to be" or the roles each played in sustaining that relationship. And it failed in delivering a real feel for what made Evita " tick". To sum up what I have not said very well in the foregoing, I think the authors, despite statements to the contrary, did not present a totally objective accounting of Evita's life. Whether by design or accident, they highlighted the "good" Evita, with little attention to those behaviors or actions that supposedly made her such a controversial character in Argentina's history.

"Evita" by Marysa Navarro and Nicholas Fraser is by far the best biography of Evita ever written. Marysa Navarro is a professor of history and Nicholas Fraser is a journalist: the combination gives the reader a well researched book written in an accessible yet unique style. "Evita" sets out to destroy the myths surrounding Evita, and despite its brevity the book succeeds in that goal and then some. I have been studying Evita for many years but even I learned things and had misconceptions overturned by this book. I got a sense of Eva's true devotion to the people and her cause (the Foundation) to lift them up out of their disadvantaged, disenfranchised, impoverished existence. Her love of Peron was very evident, and I was nearly moved to tears by the love letter written on the plane ride to Europe. This book, besides providing engrossing, moving biographical details and dispelling myths, places Evita in the context of the times: reading through the opening chapters the reader is transported to an Argentina ruled by the Oligarchy, divided between the European cosmopolitan atmosphere of Buenos Aires, and the dusty poverty-striken pampas. By placing Evita in the context of Argentine life, I understood her actions, set against the political convolutions and class politics of the period. By the ending chapter that details her agonizing death, I actually had to set the book down for a few days. I was so emotionally connected to Evita, inspired by her social crusade, her zeal for change, and her adoration for Peron and the people, that the chronicles of her slow, public death was too much for me. But when I finished the book, I was impressed that such a small book contained so much. This book is an essential.

This book is a bit of a glossed over version of history at times, not covering her ties to the Nazis or her Swiss Bank Accounts. With that said though, the authors of this biography present a very accurate, concise and interesting picture of Eva Peron. They do not care if the reader is pro or anti Eva and they themselves do their best to give just the facts although, as they say, presenting Eva as a human being is not as easy as it sounds.It is very readable, although a bit dry in parts and sometimes goes off in sections/segments that have nothing to do with Eva, mainly in chapters 1 and 2. Also, the lack of photos is a shame. But this is an engrossing biography and i finished it in 2 days. I am writing a novel on Eva Peron, and found this a useful source.

As I am going to see the stage show of '' Evita'' in a few weeks I decided to read a biography about her life, as my knowledge of her life's work was very limited.Despite there being a great deal of myth and legend surrounding Evita' s life this biography does show both sides of the story although it is farly obvious that the author is pro-Peron.The book looks at Eva from the angle of her as not only being Argentina's first lady, but at her life as an actress, a champion of the poor, a family woman, a wife, and finally as a great woman who died too young and too early.This is by no means an 'heavy' book but I did enjoy it and I found the notes and photographs at the end of the book particularly satisfying. This is a good starter of a book for anyone who is interested in getting to know more about Eva Peron.I really enjoyed this historical biography and I would whholeeheartedlyvrecommend it to any reader interested in history, iconic women, or world politics. I have rated 'Evita- the lives of Eva Peron' as a four star read.

This is a superbly written biography of Eva Peron which places her life, and death, into the context of Argentina's political and economic situation at the time.Deeply distrusted by the aristocracy, who never forgave her rise from poverty to wife of the President, but adored by the poorer people of Argentinian society, Evita was a hands on politician. Her support for her husband was passionate and unwavering, and her determination, obsession perhaps, to address poverty led to her working extraordinary hours, sometimes with only 2 hours sleep, even when she was extremely ill, to drive the work of her Foundation.Although there was an attempt to have her made a saint in 1952, this is an unlikely outcome. Her husband, Juan Peron, was excommunicated after her death-the first leader to be so since 1890. Evita was a star, mourned to an extent which seems to have surpassed the grief following the death of Princess Diana. She loved clothes and jewelry, and took centre stage in era when political wives stayed rather in the background. She brushed aside, or trampled over, opposition, built hospitals, schools, houses for the poor, and created safe havens for the victims of domestic abuse. She made a difference and her people loved her for it.Her tragic, lingering death, and macabre treatment of her body which disappeared for 17 years bring a melancholy end to this otherwise highly entertaining book, before a more recently added epilogue examines the creation of the stage show and movie.A great book, based on extensive original research, which explains the enigma that was Evita, and the reasons for the polarisation of opinion surrounding her life

What an excellent introduction to the story of this amazing woman. Amidst a mass of conflicting opinion, it seeks to be fair-minded throughout. Very balanced and very impressive treatment.

Extremely interesting read - and good to get the true story to compare with the movie.

Needed this book for an assignment, it is well written and very informative