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Summary: self serving campaign propaganda
Review: (...)
Ingrid Betancourt is not reclaiming anything. She is pompous and self serving, which can be evidenced by her extensive use of the first person. She believes that she is Colombia's Joan of Arc, an unlikely comparison as she has been part of Colombia's political elite and has never experienced the day to day realities of Colombia. (Its difficult when you spent most of your life in France and then attempt to come back as a modern day Mesiah)
Do not waste your time or money with this book as it does not give you a true picture of Colombia's extremely complex situation. This is just another one in a long line of Ingrid Betancourt's publicity stunts, which included handing out condoms and Viagra (illegally without a prescription) at every streetlight during her campaign.
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Summary: Recent information...
Review: ...reveals that Ingrid is as of yet still alive. An (edited) videotape shows her in the jungle, visibly shaken, confirming that she's being held by the FARC and also blames the government for letting kidnapping victims sit in limbo, among other things. Look it up for more info. So she's not dead yet, as far as we know. The book was written before all this happened, but still gives a fair look at many of the problems in Colombia. Yes, the political class was originally to blame for social inequity, still is, but now the Narcos, FARC and Autodefensas are about equally responsible for terror and chaos. The U.S. really should rethink it's role in this mess too...
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Summary: The truth from a wonderful woman's point of view
Review: As a Colombian I felt this book said everything I ever thought about the Colombian situation and its causes. I think she is doing exactly what the country needs and what more upper-class people, who always think the problem does not concern them should be doing:getting involved! It has been really difficult for the programs she was conducting before her abduction to stay alive, as it was for her father who died one month after her kidnapping without a chance to say goodbye. It has almost been one year without her. We miss her deeply, all the ones who are captive are missed; but apparently the government has more important things in their agenda, than negotiating freedom for more than 3000 people. This is a must read, and it will make you want to do something. That is its greatest effect!
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Summary: Ingrid Betancourt's challenge was to stay alive...
Review: Don't miss this book! This is a great book and she is an amazing woman. Mother of 2 young children, she sacrificed her quiet comfortable life abroad to return to Colombia and fight for her people. Against all odds, she was elected twice and her challenge, as she put it last december, was to stay alive until the Presidential elections on May 26, 2002. As you may know Ingrid was abducted Feb 23, 2002 by FARC, a marxist guerilla group in Colombia. She is still a candidate (there are 3000 persons held hostages in Colombia and the Parliament passed a law allowing anyone held hostage to run for office...) but there is little chance she'll be released soon. This is really an opportunity to get to know Ingrid, one of the Great of this world and to learn about her incredible determination. You'll be amazed at what this woman, with little support and barely no money, did in the last 12 years to denounce corruption, fight drug trafickers and violence.
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Summary: The real cancer of Colombia
Review: For anybody living outside Colombia, but also for Colombians, it seems that the guerrillas can be blamed for all the war that has been going on for the last 40 years, enhanced by the drug wars in the last 20 years. But reality is, and this is very well described from the very top of our government by Ingrid Betancourt, that the origin of all evil in Colombia comes from the government, from the traditional families who share power and rob Colombians until nothing is left. The traditional families are powerful and very well organized, and as Colombians say, they all have "rabo de paja" (literaly hay tail, but in this case it means that nobody can stand up because everybody in the government is as corrupt as the other one). They are financed by the US to battle against "terrorists" and to poison the country through coca erradication, and they manage to have all the Colombians fighting for them against each other. The people in the guerrilla and in the army are poor people, with little education, and they fight each other, sometimes brother against brother, while the landlords and the government keep corrupting and stealing. And the press covers everything up with missinformation. The guerrilla has to change their ways. They have to fight corruption and not civilians. The press has to unveal corruption, and the US has to stop supporting corrupt criminals; it is not the first time this happens, and corrupt governments fall sooner or later, too often against the interests of the US (Cuba, Nicaragua, Iran...). There is hope though, and until there are people left like Ingrid Betancourt, or like Antanas Mockus (currently Bogota's mayor), people who do not steal, who do not share with corrupt criminals, but who want a better future for Colombians, there is hope in Colombia. What can the simple Colombian do to chnage from a passive spectator to an active supporter of a bettter Colombia? That is the big question for many Colombians. Meanwhile many Colombians will go to elections to decide who is going to steal next. Ingrid, thank you for showing us in detail what we already suspected and now corroborated. Do not stop. We owe you for all your sacrifices.
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Summary: If only politicians in the US were this courageous...
Review: For anyone who cares about justice and democracy for our brothers and sisters to the south, read this book. For anyone who is cynical about our own democracy, and is disturbed by the beating our civil liberties are taking these days, read this book. For anyone who wants to understand the love of a mother for her children, read this book. Ingrid Betancourt chose to insert herself into a political climate in Columbia that is rife with corruption, blackmail, intimidation, and sometimes, murder. On February 23, 2002, Ingrid was kidnapped by the Marxist rebels operating in the jungles of Columbia as she attempted to bring her message of justice and peace to the disenfranchised Columbian people living in the rural and desperately poor areas of the country. Only the most cynical person would fail to see the sincerity of Betancourt's belief that one day Columbia can be a democracy that its people can be truly proud. Her story isn't just a good read. Its necessary reading for anyone who doubts the world lacks people of conscience and courage. Vaya con dios, Ingrid
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Summary: Sor Juana Ines De La Cruz Has Returned!
Review: How wonderful it is for us to see a real knight in shining armor with such power, packaged in the form of a flower.
I hope they make a movie of your life. I for one, am confident she will win the Presidential Election in May 2002. God Bless You Ingrid!
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Summary: A "chilling" story of patriotism and courage..............
Review: I am in awe of the courage of Ms. Betancourt and other Colombians who are trying to reclaim their country from years and years of corrupt, self-indulging politicians. This book reads like a suspense novel..... however, much more intense as you remember that these are actual experiences - not contrived fiction. Having just finished this book, I have been trying to find a way to keep abreast of Ms. Betancourt's presidential campaign.....
I am disappointed to learn that she is not one of the leading candidates. Unfortunately, just before writing this review, I learned of her kidnapping by the FARC rebels. I pray for her to be given the strength needed to endure this horrible crime.... and that she carries the prayers of concern and comfort from her supporters in her heart. Her sacrifices because of love for her country and fellow Colombians make for compelling reading.
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Summary: Keep hope alive!!!
Review: I find Ingrid Betancourt to be one of the most courageous and awe inspiring individuals on Earth. My parents and I departed Colombia for the US when I was only 10 years old. We left many loved ones behind and countless memories. We were fleeing the desperation and anguish encountered daily by so many honest, hardworking Colombians. However, we found it impossible to leave, for our hearts remained in Colombia. We feel its pain and cry it's tears, just as Ingrid recounts throughout her memoir. Ms. Betancourt has decided to speak out against the corruption and deceit that over decades has transformed Colombia into a quagmire of civil protest. For you see, most Colombian politicians conveniently fail to acknowledge that for decades the corruptible, ruthless, and spineless sqabbling of the ruling parties (Liberal and Conservative) have turned Colombia into the monster we see today. One need only glimpse Colombian history to realize that in the struggle to regain this great nation, the Colombian people, the innocent who pay with their lives, have no one left to cheer for. That is the sad truth. Some may call Ingrid cynical, but I prefer to call her honest and realistic. Ingrid and her progeny offer hope hope for the future. A future in which democracy is allowe to take its course. We owe her our unconditional support. If not for ourselves, then for those we left behind.
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Summary: Recent information...
Review: I find it hard to believe that anyone who has read this book can really believe that Ingrid was kidnapped by the FARC. Did you read the book? The press in Columbia lies. The political elite in Columbia lies. Ingrid made many enemies in her short career. She received numerous death threats and survived at least one bonafide assassination attempt. The rebels were NOT her enemies. It is sooooo obvious that she was murdered by the same corrupt political thugs that she dedicated her life to fighting. As for the book itself, it is NOT a great book, but it is a must-read, simply because it gives you a glimpse of this most remarkably brave and ferocious woman.
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