As First Lady, her involvement in charity made her well-loved by the lower classes, and upon her death of uterine cancer in 1952 at the age of 31, she was elevated to the level of saint in the mind of many Argentines. Evita had her critics as well, though, who saw her as an opportunist who used Perón as a way to gain power and wealth, who used the money she raised for charity for her own gain, and who flirted with fascism. Even today she is one of the most controversial figures in 20th century history, with public opinion divided between Evita the saint and Evita the tyrant. The recent success of the 1996 motion picture "Evita" has only intensified interest in this intriguing woman.
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This pathfinder is not intended to be an exhaustive bibliography of materials on Evita; instead, it is intended to get the researcher started with the major items available at Davis Library, UNC-CH (with the exception of one item located at UNC-CH's House Undergraduate Library). Materials included range from popular biographies and pictorial works of Evita to articles in scholarly journals and non-print items. This pathfinder is also not intended for those researching the theatrical or film versions of Evita -- it is instead created for those researching Eva Perón as a historical figure.
The majority of the libraries' materials on Evita are in Spanish. This pathfinder, however, includes only those materials written in English to facilitate research by those who may not read Spanish.
A note: from this point on, Eva Perón will be referred to simply as Evita; calling her only by her last name could confuse her with her husband, who will be referred to as Juan Perón. The film or play Evita will be italicized.
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An excellent brief entry (p. 674-678) that covers important biographical information as well as analysis of the two myths of Evita.
Accessible via the World Wide Web, Britannica features a short but useful article on Evita that presents the basic biographical and historical facts for the researcher at the very beginning of research.
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This list includes books about Evita as well as those on broader topics with signifant Evita-related content. To check circulation status of these items, search by author, title, or call number on UNC's Online Catalog.
A well-balanced and interesting biography with many details not included in other similar works, though it feels less academic and more gossipy than others. Still, one of the better English-language works on Evita.
Blanksten includes a chapter on Evita within his lengthy work on Juan Perón and Peronism. He presents an extremely sympathetic portrait of Evita with no mention of the controversy surrounding her life. An interesting work in its immediacy, but as it was published just after Evita's death there is no mention of the "cult of Evita" that has developed since her death.
A pictorial work of Evita's life from her childhood through her career as an actress to her life as First Lady. While there are brief explanatory captions, the comprehensive collection of photographs is predominant, and important for the researcher since such a large part of the Evita phenomenon was her style. The introduction includes a brief essay on the paradox of Evita that takes a rather sympathetic view.
Latest edition of Fraser and Navarro's seminal work Eva Perón. Through scores of interviews and intense research, the authors try to find the truth in the Evita myth by determining which elements are true and which are probably untrue. A very well-balanced work and one of the very best on the subject.
Perhaps the classic work on Evita, and the first to take a harshly unsympathetic view of her life (as the subtitle suggests). Main's work created a scandal when it was first published in 1952 and is considered to be the model on which Andrew Lloyd Webber based his portrayal of Evita in the musical. Truly a must-read work for any researcher.
Much of this work, about the actual making of the film, will be of limited interest to the serious Evita scholar, but descriptions of some of the difficulties of making the controversial film in Buenos Aires give insight into public opinion about Evita in modern-day Argentina.
A section entitled "Eva Perón -- Argentine Feminist" (p. 233-284) presents an essay on the paradox of Evita and then a series of articles about her, some viewing her positively and others negatively. Probably the best concise introduction to the controversy surrounding Evita's life and an outstanding starting point for further research.
The first English translation of Evita's controversial "deathbed manuscript" Mi Mensaje. A work in which Evita supposedly delivers her final message to the world, full of typical Peronist dogma and concern for her beloved Argentine people. Latin Americanists have been unable to determine whether this manuscript, discovered in 1987, was actually dictated by Evita, ghostwritten on her behalf, or is an absolute fraud. Most believe that she had at least some role in its creation. An excellent introductory essay by Joseph A. Page accompanies.
The English translation of Evita's official autobiography La Razón de Mi Vida, ghostwritten for her during the height of her power. This book immediately became required reading for Argentine schoolchildren upon its publication. Certainly not a well-balanced or accurate depiction of Evita's life, but it is essential for the Evita scholar as it demonstrates the way she chose to portray herself to the world as well as provides a look at her fanatical Peronist doctrine.
Not so much a historical work as an anthroplogical one, Taylor examines the myths and folklore of Evita. Taylor labels the two views of Evita the "Lady of Hope" and the "Woman of the Black Myth" and discusses the creation, causes, and history of both. Though some critics such as Ciria have found flaws in Taylor's work, it is one of the more interesting studies based on its perspective.
The following articles appear in scholarly journals and therefore
present, for the most part, academic views of Evita's life and the "cult
of Evita." Many recent journal issues are kept unbound in the Periodicals
Reading Room on the first floor of Davis Library; older issues are bound
and housed in the stacks by Library of Congress call number. Ask at the
Serials Information Desk on the first floor for finding
assistance.
An excellent review of works on Evita and Juan Perón. Ciria discusses major works from Main's famous The Woman with the Whip (1952) to Eugenio Rom's 1980 book Así Hablaba Juan Perón and focuses on each author's portrayal of Evita. Most of the works discussed are in English.
The author discusses Evita's political and symbolic roles as well as the division of power between Evita and Juan Perón. He particularly discusses the negative effects of Peronism on such institutions as the Argentine universities and press.
Though not as interesting as the title suggests, Katra's work is a good introduction to the dual myths of Evita, with concentration on how she was perceived while she was alive rather than after her death. The author includes lengthy quotations from Evita and others in Spanish with no English translation, which could frustrate researchers who do not read Spanish, though the article can certainly be understood without these passages.
The Argentine author discusses the film version of Evita's impact on global perception of the Evita myth.
A brief but well-written study of Evita's role in the arrest and subsequent release of Juan Perón, a key event in his rise to power. Navarro analyzes pro- and anti-Peronist literature on Evita's participation in this event to demonstrate the early development of the conflicting Evita mythologies.
A fascinating and very readable reflection on Evita as portrayed in the 1996 film by Alan Parker. Not a work of film criticism, but rather on the emergence of Evita as myth and the film's take on it. Includes an intriguing section on Evita and Madonna as similar popular icons.
An interesting look at the myth of Evita as folklore. The authors give a history of Evita's life, including the abduction and travels of her embalmed body, and then discuss the portrayal of the mythology in the musical Evita, complete with interpretations of selected lyrical passages, their historical accuracy, and their reflection of the Evita myth.
News magazines of the time featured almost constant coverage of the Peróns; these are some of the more important articles.
Though partially about the film itself, this article would be of interest to the researcher because of its description of the difficulties of making the controversial film in Argentina. The cult of Evita and Argentine protests against the filmmakers are described briefly but vividly.
Evita's obituary from the London newspaper. Factual coverage of her death as well as the Queen's message of sympathy to the Argentine people. The writer correctly predicts that Evita will "become a legendary figure, greater in death than in life."
An excellent, nicely irreverent but very intelligent article on Evita's transformation of herself from small town peasant to the icon of her time. Thoughtful insight into her marketing of herself and her larger symbolism, particularly from a feminist perspective.
A brief article that gives fascinating description of the extent of mourning in Argentina after Evita's death, many details that have otherwise been forgotten. Also presents a good look at the state's propaganda machine.
Of interest as a contemporary view of Evita, this cover story discusses the poor's love of Evita as well as the negative aspects of her regime, such as the silencing of her opponents and nepotism within the Perón administration.
A harsh account of the Peronist administration, with comparisons to the Nazis and criticism of Evita's management of her charitable foundation.
Although the film version of Evita is a dramatic representation and not a documentary, it is of interest to the researcher because of its enormous role in the mythology of Evita in modern popular culture. Those interested in Evita's style will also appreciate the excellent recreations of her fashion and Madonna's uncanny resemblance.
These sites have been created by individuals and placed on the World Wide Web because of their interest in Evita. As some material on these sites is unverified, the researcher is advised to use with caution. As a whole these sites do, however, provide an interesting glimpse into the next step of the "cult of Evita": onto the Internet.
A strong collection of Evita images. This site also features reviews of many of the Evita-related books available. Like the previous site, this site's anonymous creator shows great affection for Evita.
Developed and maintained by Evita's family, this site is not surprisingly very reverential. Its stated goal is to "rescue the woman buried beneath the myth."
Chiefly about the musical and film, but there is a lengthy biographical essay and several attractive photos.
Finding material about Evita can be difficult, especially considering the paucity of English-language materials about her. The following are two of the best bets for locating materials.
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The following is additional information that will aid in identifying and locating materials at Davis Library, UNC-CH.
By choosing English in the "Language" pull-down menu only English materials will be displayed.
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