Victoria Haddock
Pen & Sword History
30 November 2025
192
eBook - PDF
Non-Fiction/Biography
ARC via NetGalley
Tragedy and triumph often intertwine to create legends, and no figure embodies this more than Maria Eva Duarte de Peron, known to the world as Evita. From her humble beginnings in rural Argentina to her meteoric rise as First Lady, Eva Peron's life is steeped in myths of ambition, power, and transformation. In just six years, she became a symbol of Argentina's working class, a polarising figure who defied societal norms - and a fashion icon whose image remains influential today. This captivating exploration of Evita's life uncovers the vital role of fashion in her rise to power. Eva's style wasn't just about appearances - it was a weapon in her political arsenal, a means of challenging Argentina's elite while solidifying her image as a champion of the descamisados. Through her carefully curated wardrobe, Eva transcended the boundaries of class and gender, reshaping herself from a small-town girl into a symbol of Peronism and national pride. This book delves into the intersection of politics, society, and fashion, revealing how Eva's choices in dress and image-making contributed to her lasting myth. Whether adored or reviled, her ability to craft and control her image set a high standard for future First Ladies and continues to spark debate long after her tragic death. To understand Evita's myth, we must first understand the image she so masterfully created.
I must confess that most of my knowledge of Eva Peron comes from the musical Evita. I was therefore interested to learn more about her in Victoria Haddock's new biography, The Life of Eva Peron. While this book did focus a lot on Eva's use of fashion to craft her image, it still offered a compelling overview of other facets of her life. Certainly the book countered some of the myths about her presented in the musical, and overall I thought it was a mostly balanced assessment, perhaps, if anything, leaning a little more towards the positive side. If you are interested in Eva as both an historical figure and an icon, then this biography will be interesting reading for you. There were some images included, but given the fashion focus of the piece, some more images showcasing her various styles could have offered a finishing touch. Overall, though, it was an enjoyable and informative read, and I am giving it 4 stars.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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