Statesman, patriot and revolutionary leader, Simón Bolívar liberated Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru from Spain, and was the first president of Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru. Because of these achievements, he is known as the George Washington of South America.

Orphaned at ten, Bolívar learned the idealistic political theories of the day from his European tutor, Simón Rodríguez. A visit to Europe when he was seventeen taught him to despise the Spanish royalty that oppressed his country, and honor the revolutionary Napoleon Bonaparte of France.

When he was twenty-two, he swore an oath: "I will not rest, not in body or soul, till I have broken the chains of Spain." He returned to South America and spent the rest of his life fulfilling this vow.

Freedom was hard won. Many years of war and death, of intrigue and rebellion within Bolívar's own army threatened to destroy his dream of independence. But finally "The Liberator" did break the chains of Spain.

This exciting biography brings South America's fight for freedom wonderfully alive.

From the dust jacket