That this book has been reissued in another printing is testimony that the interpretation by the great Argentine man of letters fills a need in Latin American history—a need to interpret and explain the personality of José de San Martín, whose actions in liberating a goodly portion of South America from Spain and his retirement to Europe present many enigmas to the historian. It is a literary biography of an idealist presented in three parts: Initiation, Achievement, and Renunciation or, as San Martín himself said, “My youth was sacrificed to the service of the Spaniards; my middle age to that of my fatherland; I have the right to dispose of my old age.”
The author did an excellent job of interpreting a great man. San Martín emerges clear and certain in the major role of the drama of the liberation of South America. His work in Argentina, Chile, and Peru is detailed; the height of popularity and achievement is reached; the climactic Interview at Guayaquil takes place; and then San Martín removes himself from the scene of his triumphs to self-exile in Europe.
Many Latin Americanists have lamented the lack of footnotes, bibliography, maps, index, and other accoutrements of scholarly volumes. It has not supplanted, nor was it intended to supplant, the works of Bartolomé Mitre and others, but it has filled a need for interpretation that will remain a part of Sanmartiniana. It is a book to be read with delight and profit by the layman and the professional historian. Since it was translated several years ago into English, it will probably be little known in the United States except by the professional, but it already occupies a prominent place in libraries in South America.
