Rating: 
Summary: Worth reading, but the story has some big holes
Review: That the author was born into a privileged family makes her courageous life all the more astonishing. I visited Colombia during this past year, and I know how extremely dangerous the country is for everyone--but Colombian Senator Ingrid Betancourt has really pushed the envelope in order to fight political corruption in her country. What a remarkable woman, and what sacrifices she has made to remain an honest, outspoken legislator! She has risked not just her personal safety, but also missed watching her children grow up; since it is too dangerous for them to remain in Colombia with her, they must live in another country with their father. The book tells a truly riveting story about Colombian politics from the late 1980s to the present. Its account of governmental corruption at the highest levels does a great service to U.S. readers--many of us are familiar with the Cali and Medellin drug cartel mayhem, and a few of us know about the guerrilla war going on at this moment, but most of us have no idea of the extent of political corruption that has been going on in Colombia. So thank you for this story, Ingrid Betancourt, but thank you especially for your stubborn courage--you are a true role model and what I would call a hero. Having said that, I have two quibbles with the book regarding style and content. First, it looks as though the book was produced in such a hurry there was not sufficent time for editing in English, resulting in some typos and grammatical errors. Before a second printing takes place, I hope a good editor reviews the manuscript. I also think a big problem with the book is that the most central issues in Colombia today are barely mentioned. I am referring to the guerrilla-paramilitary-Colombian military war, which is only mentioned hurriedly in the last two chapters, though this war has been going on during all the years described in the book. It is like ignoring the elephant in the living room to wait until the book is nearly over before mentioning this war--something a good editor should have addressed. Further, unless I missed it, and I don't think I did, there was no mention about Plan Colombia (the U.S. involvement in the war) accompanied by the current, poisonous spraying of Colombia's coca and poppy fields--the "chemical warfare on the poor" as a Colombian archbishop has termed it. We have no idea how the author feels about this horror, or the U.S. support of the corrupt Colombian military. So read this book, but do educate yourself on the missing issues.[...]
Rating:
Summary: A Brave Story
Review: The author is a brave individual. Her battle against corruption in Colombian politics is a lonely pursuit. It also exposes her to enormous risk. The only annoying part of her story is the overwhelming use of the first person.
Rating: 
Summary: A Simplistic Viewpoint
Review: The author is a master of the first person. Moreover, she fails to communicate the historical complexities that fuels the violence in Colombia. Yes, corruption is a problem in Colombia and to her credit the author fights a brave battle but with entirely too much showboating.
Rating: 
Summary: Shallow in analysis, self centered in scope
Review: This book leaves much to be desired. First, the author is a marginal candidate with a 0.4% of claimed voters in the polls. Second, the book is more about the author and her high opinion of herself than about the real issues of Colombia. Do we care that she lost her virginity in high school? What does that have to do with "A struggle to reclaim Colombia". Beats me! What does emerge is a portrait of a politician with little emotional intelligence and remarkably poor judgement. Too bad that books like these don't come with a money back satisfaction guarantee.
Rating: 
Summary: VIVA BETANCOURT!
Review: This book reads not only as an autobiography, but also as a political testament from a truly courageous woman. No matter what your political leanings or philosophy may be, you have to be impressed with Betancourt's integrity and character. Reading this book has given me an interest into why Colombia is in the dire straits that it's in today. Ingrid Betancourt's quest for a peaceful, reformed Colombia may seem quixotic. But it is reassuring to know that there are politicians like her in the world. Let us hope that she will be freed unharmed so that she can again stand up for what Colombia needs today: peace, stability, progress, and social justice.
Rating:
Summary: VIVA BETANCOURT!
Review: This book reads not only as an autobiography, but also as a political testament from a truly courageous woman. No matter what your political leanings or philosophy may be, you have to be impressed with Betancourt's integrity and character. Reading this book has given me an interest into why Colombia is in the dire straits that it's in today. Ingrid Betancourt's quest for a peaceful, reformed Colombia may seem quixotic. But it is reassuring to know that there are politicians like her in the world. Let us hope that she will be freed unharmed so that she can again stand up for what Colombia needs today: peace, stability, progress, and social justice.
Rating:
Summary: Stuggle is the key word!
Review: This book was awesome. I loved it. I could not put it down. The story was told in terms that everyone could understand. The book follows wonderfully.
If you are looking for a book that deals with women's rights and the struggles that they must endure, this is a good one to pick. I had to read this book for a history of Latin American class. It really helped us as atudents understand the situation that Ms. Betancourt was facing in Columbia. As well as, understand some of the choices she made.
As a female reader it stirred my emotions. I highly suggest ths book as an educational read, or just a for the fun of it read.
Rating:
Summary: Stuggle is the key word!
Review: This book was awesome. I loved it. I could not put it down. The story was told in terms that everyone could understand. The book follows wonderfully.
If you are looking for a book that deals with women's rights and the struggles that they must endure, this is a good one to pick. I had to read this book for a history of Latin American class. It really helped us as atudents understand the situation that Ms. Betancourt was facing in Columbia. As well as, understand some of the choices she made.
As a female reader it stirred my emotions. I highly suggest ths book as an educational read, or just a for the fun of it read.
Rating:
Summary: An Incredible Story of Courage
Review: This is a first for me...I haven't read the book, but I heard a lengthy interview with the author on National Public Radio today. Ms. Betancourt is a Colombian who is currently running for President of Colombia. By all accounts, she has absolutely no chance. (She has about 5% of the vote according to current polls.) Her platform is to clean up the corruption in Colombia that is running rampant in that country. Betancourt constantly receives death threats. Her campaign, though small, is becoming extremely dangerous to the drug lords and other criminals in her country. She currently is protected daily by twenty bodyguards. Fearing for the lives of her children, she has sent them to New Zealand to live with relatives. Just from the interview, I know this woman's story is incredible. Her courage certainly is. I can't wait to read the book.
Rating:
Summary: Formidable
Review: This is a great book that everybody should read. Specially those women that want be in the political arena in the USA and do not do it. If women from Machista countries can do it, American women can do it. This shows how strong a woman can be without losing her woman side. Congratulations Ingrid and I hope you become the next president of Colombia.
Felicidades
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