The Gaucho Martin Fierro (UNESCO Collection of Representative Works: Latin American)

I bought it as a gift for an American friend interested in Argentinian culture. He loved it.

An epic Argentinian poem of the life of a gaucho in the 1800's. This oft quoted book to describe the culture and history of Argentina in the 1800's during the times of political upheavals and fighting the Native Argentinians. Much like the American cowboy, the gaucho lived the land with his horse, wits and survival techniques. Martin Fierro very well could have been the role model for Jeremiah Johnson. I enjoyed this greatly and am glad I read this. Easy to understand why this is a cultural icon.

'Just as described and arrived when promised.

This was exactly the book we were wanting. Great translation and great footnotes.

Great book

Martin Fierro is a work of art. While describing in poetry the life of Martin Fierro (a Gaucho in the Pampas in the mid to late 1800's), this poem was also a political complaint and a message of unification against the modern world for the gauchos. Herandez's greatest achievement was to unite, in one poem, a message for all the social and cultural classes. Hernandez was a self made man, ruled by simple principles based on honesty and dignity. These principles are well reflected in his book. When Martin Fierro meets his sons, and counsels them, it is Hernandez speaking to all of us.

Martín Fierro is, in some way, a national hero for Argentinian people, even for those who haven't read the book. And it seems pretty difficult to analyse this poem knowing that, because Fierro is basically a dirty, filthy, lazy and bane gaucho. Anyway, being Fierro for Argentinian people as Cid for Spanish or Achilles for Greek, the reader should know that this book defends a savage way of life with reasonable ideas, and that is what makes it unique. Martín Fierro belongs to a special time in Argentinian history, and because of this fact the reader should take over this book in a special way and try to understand it by entering the soul of the typical gaucho poetry. This book, written 120 years ago is still very very recommendable in this age of Grishams and Sheldons.

The translations a bit clunky but gets over the basic thoughts.

The Gaucho Martin Fierro - Das argentinische Nationalepos - für einen politisch interessierten Nichtargentinier in englischer Sprache - vom Feinsten!