Evita: In My Own Words [Paperback]

Eva Peron (Author), Joseph A. Page (Author), Laura Dail (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 14, 2005

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First published in the United States by The New Press in 1996, the book remains a fascinating historical document and memoir at a time when Argentina is back in the headlines and trials of leading officials from the Perón era are underway.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.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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.

From Publishers Weekly

Eva Maria Duarte de Peron died of uterine cancer in 1952, but "Mi mensaje," "My Message," wasn't found until some 30 years later, in a government archive, and then published in 1987. Purported to be the deathbed manuscript spoken of in her biographies, it is disputed by surviving sisters and other family members, who claim that she did not write it. Joseph A. Page, in his lengthy introduction, states that this document is "probably based in part on dictation by" Eva Peron and "provides further evidence of how difficult it is to locate the real person behind the myths shrouding the figure the world knows simply as Evita." In My Own Words: Evita, translated from the Spanish by Laura Dail, contains facsimile pages, photos from the National Archive of Argentina and a chronology of Eva Peron's life, along with the translated document and introduction.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: New Press, The (July 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565843533
• ISBN-13: 978-1565843530
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #396,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > History > Americas > South America > Argentina

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most personal insight on Eva Peron I've ever read., July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Evita: In My Own Words (Paperback)

Of all the books I've read on Eva, this has to be my favorite. I was glad to see a more personal side of Eva, to read her own thoughts. It was intriguing to read more about Eva's personal life and feelings (i.e. towards her husband) rather than the deeds she did, which I feel most people are already aware of. No matter how well the authors of other books "knew" Eva, there will always be a certain something lacking. No one will ever know Evita as well as she knew herself. Therefore, I recommend this book to anyone searching for a more personal side of Eva Peron: Spiritual Leader of the Nation (Argentina).

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Controversial and fascinating, April 28, 2001

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Evita: In My Own Words (Paperback)

I first learned of Eva Peron through a recording of "Evita," the musical play based on her life. Peron, who served as First Lady of Argentina before her untimely death in 1952, was one of the most intriguing women of the 20th century. "In My Own Words: Evita" contains an English translation of a document (entitled "My Message") that claims to be Evita's deathbed testament.

In addition to this document (which has been translated from Spanish by Laura Dail), the book also contains several other components: a 46-page introduction by Joseph A. Page; an account of an interview with Juan Jiminez Dominguez, who was an aide to Evita in her final days (the account is written by Alberto Schprejer); a collection of black-and-white photographs from Evita's life and career; a few facsimile pages from the contested manuscript; and a chronology of Evita's life.

As Page notes, the authenticity of the document has been contested. Was it really dictated by Evita? How much of it is reliable? We may never know. But if it is authentic, it affords a fascinating window into the mind of this extraordinary woman. The document is largely a single-minded defense of Peronism, the political philosophy of Evita's husband, Argentine President Juan Peron. The document speaks of "the absolute truth of Peronism" with a sort of religious fervor. Also interesting is the document's support for a revolutionary, socially-conscious Christianity; if the document is authentic, then Evita could be seen as a forerunner of Latin American liberation theology.

The document's weakness is the fact that it seems to be more a political treatise than a true personal testament. But the document, Page's introduction, and the other materials in this book are still very interesting. Eva Peron is a true international cultural icon, and those who have been captured by her spell should explore this controversial, intriguing book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There's a message here for you from Evita., June 24, 2003

By 

Scott W. Wallace (East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Evita: In My Own Words (Paperback)

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.