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Facundo o Civilización y Barbarie: A Journey Through the Argentine Pampas and a Reflection on the Nature of Civilization and Barbarism | Penguin Classics

Dalton Foster

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A Portrait Of Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, The Author Of Facundo O Civilización Y Barbarie Facundo: Or Civilization And Barbarism (Penguin Classics)

Domingo Faustino Sarmiento's Facundo o Civilización y Barbarie is a classic work of Argentine literature that explores the tension between civilization and barbarism in the country's early history. Originally published in 1845, the book has been translated into multiple languages and remains a foundational text in Latin American studies.

Facundo: Or, Civilization and Barbarism (Penguin Classics)

by Ilan Stavans

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	434 KB
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Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	290 pages
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The book is set in the Argentine Pampas, a vast and sparsely populated region that was home to both indigenous peoples and European settlers. Sarmiento argues that the Pampas represents a microcosm of the Argentine nation, and that the conflict between civilization and barbarism that played out there is a reflection of the larger struggle between these two forces in Argentine society.

Sarmiento's account of the Pampas is both vivid and unflinching. He describes the region's harsh climate, its dangerous wildlife, and its lawless inhabitants. He also provides a detailed account of the indigenous peoples of the Pampas, their customs, and their beliefs. Sarmiento's writing is often critical of the indigenous peoples, but he also expresses a grudging admiration for their strength and resilience.

In addition to his account of the Pampas, Sarmiento also provides a detailed analysis of the political and social conditions of Argentina in the early 19th century. He argues that the country is suffering from a lack of leadership and a lack of national unity. He also criticizes the country's educational system, which he believes is failing to prepare its citizens for the challenges of the modern world.

Sarmiento's Facundo o Civilización y Barbarie is a complex and challenging work that offers a unique perspective on the history of Argentina. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Latin American studies or in the nature of civilization and barbarism.