About the book
An extraordinary adventure into South America’s epic history
'Absolutely wonderful' DOMINIC SANDBROOK
'A luscious, erudite romp ... a tour de force of literary mezcla' ALICE ALBINIA
'A magnificent contribution to the Latin American canon' MARIE ARANA
In this sweeping exploration of the continent's forgotten past, Laurence Blair takes as his waymarks nine countries that can’t be found on a map: vanished realms, half-imagined utopias and dismembered homelands. Looking beyond modern borders, he travels to each in turn – on foot and horseback, by rail and river – to weave an epic of survival, resistance and revolution.
Blair’s journey spans five centuries and thousands of miles, ranging from ancient Amazonian civilisations and a rebel Inca dynasty in the Peruvian jungle – via a Brazilian Wakanda that defied slavery, Bolivia’s landlocked navy and the Patagonian power that defeated the Spanish Empire – to the African freedom fighters who marched over the Andes from Argentina, and the Napoleon of the New World who led Paraguay to its ruin.
This is the story of South America as is rarely told: at the epicentre of global history and the forging of the modern world.
*Winner of the Royal Society of Literature Giles St Aubyn Award*
'An unputdownable delight' JON LEE ANDERSON
Editions of Patria
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781847924681
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781529931709
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781847924698
- EBook
- ISBN 9781529926323
Read an Excerpt
An extraordinary adventure into South America’s epic history
'Absolutely wonderful' DOMINIC SANDBROOK
'A luscious, erudite romp ... a tour de force of literary mezcla' ALICE ALBINIA
'A magnificent contribution to the Latin American canon' MARIE ARANA
In this sweeping exploration of the continent's forgotten past, Laurence Blair takes as his waymarks nine countries that can’t be found on a map: vanished realms, half-imagined utopias and dismembered homelands. Looking beyond modern borders, he travels to each in turn – on foot and horseback, by rail and river – to weave an epic of survival, resistance and revolution.
Blair’s journey spans five centuries and thousands of miles, ranging from ancient Amazonian civilisations and a rebel Inca dynasty in the Peruvian jungle – via a Brazilian Wakanda that defied slavery, Bolivia’s landlocked navy and the Patagonian power that defeated the Spanish Empire – to the African freedom fighters who marched over the Andes from Argentina, and the Napoleon of the New World who led Paraguay to its ruin.
This is the story of South America as is rarely told: at the epicentre of global history and the forging of the modern world.
*Winner of the Royal Society of Literature Giles St Aubyn Award*
'An unputdownable delight' JON LEE ANDERSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Patria about?
An extraordinary adventure into South America’s epic history
'Absolutely wonderful' DOMINIC SANDBROOK
'A luscious, erudite romp ... a tour de force of literary mezcla' ALICE ALBINIA
'A magnificent contribution to the Latin American canon' MARIE ARANA
In this sweeping exploration of the continent's forgotten past, Laurence Blair takes as his waymarks nine countries that can’t be found on a map: vanished realms, half-imagined utopias and dismembered homelands. Looking beyond modern borders, he travels to each in turn – on foot and horseback, by rail and river – to weave an epic of survival, resistance and revolution.
Blair’s journey spans five centuries and thousands of miles, ranging from ancient Amazonian civilisations and a rebel Inca dynasty in the Peruvian jungle – via a Brazilian Wakanda that defied slavery, Bolivia’s landlocked navy and the Patagonian power that defeated the Spanish Empire – to the African freedom fighters who marched over the Andes from Argentina, and the Napoleon of the New World who led Paraguay to its ruin.
This is the story of South America as is rarely told: at the epicentre of global history and the forging of the modern world.
*Winner of the Royal Society of Literature Giles St Aubyn Award*
'An unputdownable delight' JON LEE ANDERSON
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Patria?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of Patria?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781847924681
How long is Patria and how many pages does it have?
Patria has 448 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Patria?
Laurence Blair
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Patria is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781847924681) and paperback(ISBN 9781529931709) and paperback(ISBN 9781847924698) and ebook(ISBN 9781529926323)
Where can I buy Patria online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Patria from below