The Separation of Panama [Paperback]

Eduardo Lemaitre (Author), Ken Wetherell (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2000

To the Colombian public an introduction of Eduardo Lemaitre (1919-1994) is unnecessary. His long and distinguished career in the field of writing and politics plus his numerous other activities - journalist, historian, essayist, playwright and poet - would make such an introduction superfluous. But readers from abroad will be interested to learn that the author... is considered the equal, at least, of the best writers in the country... This extraordinary book... is a perfect example of Lemaitre's gifts. He wished to give it a subtitle "A history which reads like a novel" because that is exactly what it is. It is a history of that narrow umbilical cord which joins the two great land masses of America, the visissitudes, the struggles, the challenge of its railroad, the heroics of its canal, from the annexation in 1821 to its final separation from Colombia in 1903. The history is of the ups and downs of fortune and the colourful persons involved, some tragic and some comic, all illuminated by Lemaitre's prose. It reads like a novel but it is, in reality, just history and unfortunately a sad history; sad and true. Everything in this story is based on written proofs, cited evidence and documents such that it is difficult to challange the author's explanation of events. It is certain that the book treats with thorny issues relatively recent to our times. Some witnesses are still around and doubtless the publication of this version will incite arguments and polemics. The judgement on those responsible for the separation of Panama is still pending; the body has been embalmed in testimony. Eduardo Lemaitre has had the temerity to disinter the body. It now rests in the pages of this book. This is the first English translation of Lemaitre's second edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 504 pages
• Publisher: Alden Group; 1st English Edition edition (2000)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000KDTSKU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,949,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)