The Shadows of Elisa Lynch
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'La señora Elisa Alicia Lynch is the greatest heroine of America' In 1854, an ambitious Irish courtesan met a South American General in Paris and returned with him to Paraguay. When he became President, she became his de facto first lady and together they changed the course of the country's history. Consumed by desire for Napoleonic glory, General President Lopez took Paraguay into a disastrous war against her neighbours. Elisa Lynch went with him on campaign, turning conditions of war to her advantage where she could. He was killed in the northern hills but she survived, only to be expelled from Paraguay and die an obscure death in Paris. Reviled and respected, loved and distrusted, Elisa Lynch has been described as both a heroic companion to Lopez and a malign enchantress. In The Shadows of Elisa Lynch, Siân Rees tells her fascinating story of recovered history.
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The War Of The Triple Alliance is an area of South American history that has received not as much attention in the English-speaking world as it should have. I would say that this book alone would not make up for that, but nonetheless the story of the life of an Irish courtesan who married Paraguayan dictator Lopez is a very interesting read. For those that know nothing of the War Of The Triple Alliance, check out its wiki. Wiki is not my usual source to suggest, but it will give a good overview of this horrendous war and the ramifications to the combatants.
