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aminta's review against another edition
4.0
It's a tad amusing how much blind faith Llosa seems to have in capitalism. I may disagree with him, but it's an interesting read regardless.
timhoiland's review against another edition
4.0
“Let’s briefly summarize what nationalism consists of in the realm of culture. Basically, it asks one to consider what is one’s own absolute and unquestionable value and to devalue all that is foreign as something that threatens, undermines, impoverishes, or degenerates the spiritual personality of a country. Although such a thesis withstands the most shallow analysis with difficulty and it is easy to demonstrate how prejudiced and naïve its reasoning is, as well as how unrealistic its aims – cultural autocracy – are, history shows us that it takes root with ease and that even countries with an ancient and solid civilization are not immune to it.”
armandilloh's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
giovannigf's review against another edition
The polemical essays wear you down. While you can't fault Vargas Llosa's scorn for dictatorships of the left and of the right, the hectoring tone becomes numbing, with the only exceptions being the rate times he tells personal stories. And the less we say about his adamant belief in free trade the better.
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