Un Introduction to Colombian History
Colombia has a rich and complex history, shaped by centuries of indigenous cultures, Spanish colonization, liberation, and modern struggles. From its pre-Colombian civilizations to the current peace processes, Colombian history has fascinated scholars, readers, and anyone curious about Latin America’s past. This curated list of the Top 10 Best Books on Colombian History will take you on a compelling journey through Colombia’s evolving identity and culture.
Author: Alejandro Sánchez
Alejandro Sánchez is a Colombian historian and journalist with over 15 years of experience in Latin American studies. His passion lies in uncovering untold stories from Colombia’s past, particularly focusing on the social and political aspects of the nation’s history.
10. Bolívar: American Liberator
Author: Marie Arana
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,073 ratings)
Why You’ll Love It
This comprehensive biography of Simón Bolívar, one of Latin America’s greatest liberators, sheds light on his role in shaping modern Colombia. Bolívar’s influence in the liberation of Colombia from Spanish rule is a key chapter in Colombian History.
Fun Fact
Bolívar was born into a wealthy Venezuelan family and lost both of his parents by the age of nine, which played a significant role in his drive to lead a revolution.
Learn about Bolívar’s vital role in Colombia’s fight for independence
9. Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World’s Greatest Outlaw
Author: Mark Bowden
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,953 ratings)
Why You’ll Love It
This book narrates the hunt for Pablo Escobar, one of the most notorious figures in Colombian History. Mark Bowden details the U.S.-led operation that led to Escobar’s downfall, a pivotal moment that shaped Colombia’s modern history.
Fun Fact
Pablo Escobar is often referred to as “The King of Cocaine” and was at one point considered one of the richest men in the world, earning up to $420 million a week.
Dive into the dramatic fall of one of Colombia’s most infamous figures
8. Magdalena: River of Dreams: A Story of Colombia
Author: Wade Davis
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars (535 ratings)
Why You’ll Love It
The Magdalena River is the lifeblood of Colombia, and Wade Davis takes readers on a journey down this historically significant river, offering insights into Colombian History through the eyes of those who have lived along its banks.
Fun Fact
The Magdalena River is Colombia’s principal waterway, flowing over 950 miles from the Andes to the Caribbean Sea, and has been a crucial trade route for centuries.
Discover the heart of Colombia through this beautifully written journey
7. Reefer: How Smugglers Won the War on Marijuana
Author: Tommy Powell
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars (13 ratings)
Why You’ll Love It
This fascinating book takes a deep dive into the marijuana trade in Colombia, examining how smugglers capitalized on the War on Drugs. It’s an important read for anyone interested in understanding the economic and social undercurrents in Colombian History.
Fun Fact
Colombia remains one of the world’s largest producers of illegal marijuana, despite numerous government efforts to curb its production.
Explore the untold story of Colombia’s marijuana trade
6. News of a Kidnapping (Vintage International)
Author: Gabriel García Márquez
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 out of 5 stars (353 ratings)
Why You’ll Love It
This non-fiction work by Nobel laureate Gabriel García Márquez explores the kidnappings carried out by drug cartels in the 1990s. It offers an unflinching look at one of the most turbulent periods in Colombian History.
Fun Fact
Gabriel García Márquez is best known for his magical realism, but News of a Kidnapping is one of his most famous non-fiction works, delving into Colombia’s real-world struggles with violence.
Get an insider’s perspective on Colombia’s dark days of cartel violence
5. The War of Jenkins’ Ear: The Forgotten Struggle for North and South America: 1739-1742
Author: Robert Gaudi
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 out of 5 stars (151 ratings)
Why You’ll Love It
This historical account sheds light on a lesser-known but crucial conflict between the British and the Spanish in South America, which had a significant impact on colonial Colombia. It’s a must-read for those keen on understanding early Colombian History.
Fun Fact
The war gets its unusual name from a British captain, Robert Jenkins, who allegedly had his ear cut off by Spanish coast guards, sparking the conflict.
Learn about the early battles that shaped Colombia’s colonial past
4. The Darkest Jungle: The True Story of the Darien Expedition and America’s Ill-Fated Race to Connect the Seas
Author: Todd Balf
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 out of 5 stars (45 ratings)
Why You’ll Love It
This gripping account of the Darien Expedition offers an exploration into one of the most perilous attempts to create a passage through the Colombian jungle, an event that shaped the geopolitical landscape of Colombian History.
Fun Fact
The Darien Expedition was one of many failed attempts to carve out what would later become the Panama Canal, a project that fundamentally altered the region’s development.
Uncover the treacherous story of the Darien Expedition
3. Colombia – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs and Culture
Author: Kate Berardo
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 out of 5 stars (75 ratings)
Why You’ll Love It
Understanding Colombia’s customs is key to understanding its history. This guide explores the unique traditions, social norms, and cultural nuances that have shaped the identity of Colombia throughout its history.
Fun Fact
Colombia is known for its vibrant festivals, such as the Barranquilla Carnival, which has been declared a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO.
Learn more about Colombia’s vibrant culture and its historical roots
2. Bolívar: American Liberator (Paperback)
Author: Marie Arana
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,073 ratings)
Why You’ll Love It
This paperback edition of Arana’s acclaimed biography delves even deeper into Bolívar’s role in Colombian History. His vision for a united Latin America was both his greatest strength and his ultimate downfall.
Fun Fact
Bolívar’s dream of a united Latin America was called Gran Colombia, a political project that lasted from 1819 to 1831, encompassing modern-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama.
Explore Bolívar’s enduring influence on Colombia
1. News of a Kidnapping (Paperback)
Author: Gabriel García Márquez
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,523 ratings)
Why You’ll Love It
The paperback edition of this classic non-fiction work by Gabriel García Márquez remains a powerful exploration of one of the darkest periods in Colombian History, when drug cartels terrorized the nation through kidnappings and violence.
Fun Fact
Márquez was inspired to write this book after personally knowing some of the kidnapped victims’ families, bringing a deeply personal and poignant touch to the narrative.
Get your copy of this essential Colombian historical narrative
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