General Simon Bolivar, 'the Liberator' of five South American countries, takes a last melancholy journey down the Magdalena River, revisiting cities along its shores, and reliving the triumphs, passions and betrayals of his life. Infinitely charming, prodigiously successful in love, war and politics, he still dances with such enthusiasm and skill that those watching cannot believe he is ill. Aflame with memories of the power that he commanded and the dream of continental unity that eluded him, he is a moving exemplar of how much can be won - and lost - in a life.

"A fascinating tour de force and a moving tribute to an extraordinary man." -Margaret Atwood, "New York Times Book Review" "A distinguished book...Garcia Marquez splendidly presents his image of Latin America and of a great man redux." -"Los Angeles Times Book Review""A stunning portrait, convincing and poignant." -"San Francisco Chronicle""Passage after passage shines with the brilliance of Garcia Marquez...He has invented some of the magic characters of our age. His General, however, is not only magic, but real." -"The Wall Street Journal" "As usual, Garcia Marquez's craftsmanship is nothing less than superb. His General's story is tragic; his telling of it is luminous." -"Dallas Morning News" Translated and with a new Introduction by Edith Grossman

Edith Grossman is the acclaimed translator of works by Garcia Marquez and Mario Vargas Llosa, and of Cervantes' Don Quixote.