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In a series of mock lesson plans and a "program of study" Galeano provides an eloquent, passionate, funny and shocking exposé of First World ...
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reviews
Apr 28, 2011
Jason
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As other reviewers have noted, Galeano doesn't provide footnotes to back up his assertions, which makes this book a rant and not a treatise. It is a breathtaking rant, though, with language as beautiful as the world it describes is ugly. Plus, Galeano does provide a list of sources at the end, if the reader needs further convincing that Galeano's description of the "Looking-Glass world" is spot-on.
Here are some of Galeano's own words:
Here are some of Galeano's own words:
"The 'killer instinct'More...
Jul 30, 2011
The naked truth! would this book change slightly the view the ones in the north have for the south?. Not recommended if you don't give a S·%$& about the rest of the world. Every page, every word is accurate, but it made me sick to have so much reality together and realize this things won't change in years and years to come.
Nov 22, 2007
jeremy
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Journalist, historian, poet, author — there is no other writer whose style is comparable to that of Eduardo Galeano. The Uruguayan penner, best known for his acclaimed Memory of Fire trilogy, further indicts our culture of privilege in Upside Down. Comprised of a series of illuminating vignettes, Galeano, with his trademark wit, sarcasm, and adroit phrasings, turns his unerring critique onto the vapidity and shallowness of our modern world. Whether decrying violence, consumerism, ecological d
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Dec 28, 2007
Tanya
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Wow! Talk about opening my eyes to how our society sets our youth up for failure!! I still refer to this book from time to time for solid examples of abuse of power and twisted ethics. Example: have you ever seen a billboard in the wealthy neighborhoods advertising expensive sneakers or must-have gadgets? Not likely to see billboards at ALL in wealthy neighborhoods yet, they can afford it and most likely already have it. How twisted that when you drive through the low-income neighborhoods there
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Jan 12, 2010
Yoshi
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Galeano's writing is so poetic even when he's writing about the savage inequities of the world. Makes me wish I could read his original Spanish text instead of a translation so I could understand more of the lyricism and nuances of his words.
Jun 22, 2010
Terry
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A rereading. Galeano is always worth a second or third look. This book in particular rises from the preachy, infuriated side of the liberal/socialist universe, but shows in plain view the harsh, brutally selfish and divided world we have become from the capitalism propped up by the police/military/political establishment and our own complacency. Nothing really shocking for anyone willing to delve deeper below the surface. Images of "City of God" kept running through my mind in the sect
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Oct 20, 2008
Steev
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"Open Veins of Latin America" is better. Galeano is still brilliant but quite a bit too strident in this book, with all these unsupported, radical assertions (which i fully believe, but skeptics will just scoff) about the horrors the powerful exert on the poor.
Strangely enough I have a used copy once owned by at least 1 student - I frankly am baffled as to why a professor would assign this book for some class full of clueless college sophomores. Much better to start wit More...
Strangely enough I have a used copy once owned by at least 1 student - I frankly am baffled as to why a professor would assign this book for some class full of clueless college sophomores. Much better to start wit More...
Apr 08, 2010
Jeremy
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sobering yet gorgeous and humorous prose on the effects of U.S. neoliberalism and globalization in latin america. full of humor, poetic language, and stark tragedy. can't wait to read more from Eduardo Galeano.
Nov 22, 2008
Tripmastermonkey
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a statement that stands out for me is when he describes a bureaucrat from Latin America who says (and i'm paraphrasing): "having traffic jams is a great sign of progress"
Jan 30, 2009
More people need to write this powerfully.
I quoted a passage on <a http://31dreamers.blogspot.com/2009/01/subconscious-songwriters-union.html> 31 Dreamers</a>.
I quoted a passage on <a http://31dreamers.blogspot.com/2009/01/subconscious-songwriters-union.html> 31 Dreamers</a>.
Mar 26, 2010
Christa
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My brother gave me this book as a present. It took me awhile to get through it because I kept setting it down for long periods. This also means I don't remember a lot of what the author said in the first half, but I remember really liking it! Its the kind of book that is easy to read in sections. A lot of the information he presented was not super surprising for me (although I can see how the book was eye-opening for my brother) but it was a good reminder that I know nothing about the US's i
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Jul 21, 2008
Mario
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One could conceive of this book as Galeano's reporting and reflecting on neoliberal capitalism (it was originally published in 1998). While much of the analysis may well seem trite today, the book is a thoroughly satisfying quick read: conceived as a series of satirical lesson plans, these pages of punchy prose evince Galeano's moving skills at ripping away the fetish of bourgeois ideology and representing the suffering of human beings without succuming to either pornographic exploitation or rom
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Jan 29, 2008
Enrique
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Uno de los mejores de Galeano. Una serie de pequños artículos, notas y críticas que se van sucediendo unas a otras en torno a temas comunes o conexos y permiten entrever muchas de las situaciones aparentemente absurdas, ilógicas o simplemente inverosimiles pero que demuestran la propia lógica del mundo o la falta de lógica de nuestras sociedades. La gran ventaja es que es un libro completo pero puede leerse como artículos lo que hace su lectura mucho más breve pero a la vez permite releerse con
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Oct 20, 2008
Ryan
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An awesome, wry book from this prolific writer from Uraguay. Here, he takes a gander at the "first world" and all its consumerism, brutality, exploitation, and ideologies. then, he determines that, in the first world, everything is upside down.
The little "aside" boxes are alternatley hilarious and horrendous. He is adept at using everyday reality--contradictions, violence, and absurdist extremes--to turn the reader onto radical ideas and new thought directions. Re
The little "aside" boxes are alternatley hilarious and horrendous. He is adept at using everyday reality--contradictions, violence, and absurdist extremes--to turn the reader onto radical ideas and new thought directions. Re
Aug 10, 2010
Katrina
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as much as i agreed with some of his points, and at times they were made very well, this was a little too all over the place for me. i think the way it was written made it feel like rhetoric, maybe because of the lack of actual citations for all of the incidents he referred to. i really wanted to love it, and i'm in total agreement with much of it, but it just seemed too much like a rant to be credible, which was disappointing.
Mar 26, 2010
nicebutnubbly
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Now, if you like your history clearly written from a particular point of view, Galeano is the man. I don't know how he maintains such a consistent sense of outrage and injustice, but I admire him for it, and I find his books - while not necessarily comforting or enjoyable - always thought-provoking. This is more lyrical and less historical, more biting social commentary than literature, but so far, so good.
Nov 25, 2007
Jimi
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Latin American perspective to world politics. A great read for anyone who is a consumer or knows one. Lots of wood block prints and little, dirty tidbits about the global economy and politicians. I read it in Spanish which I recommend if you can. Galeano uses a sophisticated vocabulary that has given me the impetus to talk more passionately to talk about politics in Spanish.
Nov 17, 2010
Written in 1997 this book is seriously amazing! It's a great look at the horror that we impose on the countries that afford us our lovely lifestyles.
If five hundred years of oppression, pillage, rape and murder are too much for you to read about, I wouldn't recommend it for you. Maybe try a kid's book or something
If five hundred years of oppression, pillage, rape and murder are too much for you to read about, I wouldn't recommend it for you. Maybe try a kid's book or something
Jun 13, 2008
My first encounter with Galeano - a terrific read. Of course we tend to forget many events - like the Moslem invasion of India and taking of British and Irish slaves - which gainsay his passionate and powerful flow.
May 30, 2008
Rachel
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everything wrong with the world ever. read ishmael first and then this and then go hang yourself. or weep for the future. and the past. and the present. because you are human scum.
Dec 17, 2009
Emily
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Beautifully written, like a romantic, surreal novel. But it is all about the state of the world, why things are the way they are, the consequences of tyranny... politics made intensely readable.
May 15, 2008
C.
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This book can be read in a few hours and depending on your level of exposure, it can change the way you look at things.
I read this in college and it certainly opened my eyes.
I read this in college and it certainly opened my eyes.
Jul 19, 2007
Amanda
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Excellent. This is a view of society from a Latin American's perspective, and its extremely insightful. Great read. Made me feel like the wasteful, self centered, consumer that I am.
Jan 28, 2008
Olivia
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MY NEW BIBLE....POETIC RIGHTEOUS ANGER FOR ALL THE CRAP PUT ONTO THE PEOPLE BY THE BIG BAD SYSTEM! IM YELLING BECAUSE I FREAKIN LOVE THIS BOOK! AWESOME!
Dec 11, 2007
Sara
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Biting and accessible commentary on Latin American-US politics with woodburnings by the famous José Guadalupe Posada.
