Evita: In My Own Words

In 1987, a document that appeared to be the long-lost deathbed manuscript of Eva Peron was found in a government archive in Buenos Aires. Rumor had it that the manuscript, which is critical of the Argentine church and military, had been suppressed for thirty years after Evita's death by her husband, Argentine President Juan Peron.

First published in the United States by The New Press in 1996, the book remains a fascinating historical document and memoir at a time when Argentina is back in the headlines and trials of leading officials from the Peron era are underway. Leading Peron scholars disagree about whether Evita wrote every word herself, and Evita: In My Own Words includes an extensive introduction by Peron scholar Joseph A. Page, who weighs all the claims and counterclaims about the document's authenticity and provides an essential historical framework for Eva Peron's life.

Evita offers a firsthand glimpse of the woman who left an indelible if controversial mark on Argentina, and, at the time of her death at age thirty-three, was considered one of the most powerful women in the world. Originally published as In My Own Words.

In addition to this document (which has been translated from Spanish by Laura Dail), the book also contains several other components: a 46-page introduction by Joseph A. Page; an account of an interview with Juan Jiminez Dominguez, who was an aide to Evita in her final days (the account is written by Alberto Schprejer); a collection of black-and-white photographs from Evita's life and career; a few facsimile pages from the contested manuscript; and a chronology of Evita's life.

As Page notes, the authenticity of the document has been contested. Was it really dictated by Evita? How much of it is reliable? We may never know. But if it is authentic, it affords a fascinating window into the mind of this extraordinary woman. The document is largely a single-minded defense of Peronism, the political philosophy of Evita's husband, Argentine President Juan Peron. The document speaks of "the absolute truth of Peronism" with a sort of religious fervor. Also interesting is the document's support for a revolutionary, socially-conscious Christianity; if the document is authentic, then Evita could be seen as a forerunner of Latin American liberation theology.

The document's weakness is the fact that it seems to be more a political treatise than a true personal testament. But the document, Page's introduction, and the other materials in this book are still very interesting. Eva Peron is a true international cultural icon, and those who have been captured by her spell should explore this controversial, intriguing book.


What a marvelous book!   December 31, 1998
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I really enjoyed Eva Peron's message in "In My Own Words." I'm currently doing a research paper on Evita for my English class, and this has, by far, been the book that has given me great insight on her short life. Reading biography after biography, you only come away with what others have said about her and this is truly her own words, thoughts and feelings. I was especially surprised by the amount of... I guess respect and honor she had for her husband. Not many people nowadays can say that about their spouse. Juan Peron was lucky to have such an asset in his wife. Eva Peron was a living legend in her day. I'm so fascinated by her life and times. This book is absoultely wonderful and telling. I couldn't put it down. I loved it. Sarah Brownlow


This was such a waste of time!   July 30, 1999
4 out of 15 found this review helpful

Yes, it was interesting to read an autobiography of Evita. However, didn't anyone see that this was propaganda? Eva Peron carried on as if her husband was God. He was far from it. (The two were involved with such corruption.) This reminds me of having conversations with people who have no idea of the person they are. I say read the official biographies of Evita's life. They are more interesting because they ring true.


There's a message here for you from Evita.   June 25, 2003
SCOTT W WALLACE (Warrandyte, Victoria Australia)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Yes, THAT Evita. Eva Peron. From Argentina. Yes, it IS for you. Yes, she HAS been dead for fifty years. But in 1952 she wrote a book, "Mi Mensaje (My Message)." She knew her days were numbered, so she used those days for writing, and she left a message for the living. That's you.
It's a view from inside the head of a charismatic leader, the most powerful woman on earth. It's highly personal, highly political, and highly emotional. For reasons you can guess, in this, her last book, she saw no need to be politically correct--and it isn't. Without mentioning any names, she says exactly what she thinks about people, power, the Church, and the military. And precisely because she doesn't mention names, these views of hers are still relevant today.
This Message also requests a response: it is a call to action--yours.
"My Message" has been a long time coming. Too dangerous for the political climate of 1952, it has only recently seen the light of day--and even more recently translated into English, under the title "In My Own Words." It's a message for you from the real Evita.