Magdalena: River of Dreams: A Story of Colombia

Wade Davis explores the cultural and ecological significance of Colombia’s Magdalena River through personal anecdotes and historical context. He presents a nuanced view of the country, showcasing its beauty and the resilience of its people amidst historical violence and environmental degradation. However, the book occasionally repeats familiar narratives about the drug trade and Pablo Escobar without offering new insights. While rich in imagery, the narrative could benefit from a more critical examination of contemporary issues. Overall, the book invites readers to appreciate Colombia’s diversity beyond stereotypes

I really enjoyed the book... Captivating writing style... As a Colombian I really enjoyed Wade Davis perspective about our geography and our people.However, there is a couple of errors... not really significant but a little bit anoying. For example:"Katherine, in her own way, identified with manatees in a manner that went far beyond the conventions of science. Though trained in Bogotá, she was born in San Gil, a small town in the Magdalena Valley, east of Puerto Berrío"... Well, San Gil is not in the Magdalena Valley."Porro is a rhythm commonly associated with the Llanos, the great eastern plains"... may be joropo?

The Magdalena River has lived the history of Colombia in the same way that the inhabitants of the country, its fauna, flora, natural resources, geographical characteristics and unparalleled beauty have done. It began with the discovery of its mouth in the Atlantic Ocean by the Spanish conqueror Rodrigo de Bastidas (1465-1527) in 1501, who named it Rio Grande de la Magdalena.Over the last 500 years, the River has witnessed the courageous and unsuccessful struggle of indigenous peoples such as the Timanaes in the current Department of Huila and Pijaos of Tolima against a foreign invader; flourishing and development of the renowned Botanical Expedition, led by the scientist José Celestino Mutis (1732-1808) and his smart Colombian pupils; spread of pioneering commercial enterprises dealing with air, fluvial and rail transport between its ports; growth of the country as an exporter of cotton, tobacco, coffee, cocoa and beef, and birth and evolution of cumbia in El Banco region, a musical genre by which Colombia is internationally recognized.This progress has also brought unexpected consequences for the country and the River that led them to a state of burnout, violence and loss of resources difficult to overcome. Nowadays, Colombia has seen the disappearance of countless number of its citizens, victims of a brutality that has already exhausted all the terms to describe it. At the same time, the Magdalena River has lost 80% of its original fauna due to rampant and uncontrolled exploitation and the mismanagement of hydraulic projects in its course and, the state of its banks is regrettable due to a nonstops deforestation to turn the land into an economically more profitable asset. As a consequence of this and other misfortunes, the River has been converted into the sewer of the country and currently stands as one of the most polluted in the world.This reality of Colombia and its main River is described by Mr. Davis in this well written book. For him and many folks living in the Magdalena basin, cleansing of the country and the River is a duty that concerns every Colombian citizen with no exceptions.Due to the scope of its issues, this book deserves a careful and critical reading. It is based on the author's personal experience on a trip he made following the riverbed, supplemented with that of his traveling companions and people interviewed in different towns and cities. In addition, it is well documented with numerous references, comments, photographs and mentions of the same journey by two illustrious predecessors: the writer Gabriel García Márquez (1927-2014) and the Liberator Simón Bolívar (1783-1830).

I like reading about places I’ve never been and about things of which I don’t know much. In this case, the Rio Magdalena was completely unknown to me, and its role in the history of Colombia serves as a soulful leitmotif allowing Wade to tell us his story of the country, born of his enormous time and energy spent there. This book will give you a nice framework for understanding that nation, and, in that regard, it’s very refreshing.As Wade has been heralded as a serious academic, it’s worth noting that here Wade comes off less an anthropologist and more as a journalist or writer telling you the story that he wants to tell you about this country. And, to be fair, It’s pretty clear that that’s what you’re going to get when you pick up the book, most obviously evidenced by it’s “River of Dreams” subtitle, and even the font that is written in. It’s not an objective study.I can tell that, to some extent, he romanticizes the native, or “indigenous peoples,” of Colombia in a way I don’t imagine him also doing for Western populations, and certainly not the US, for which he does not seem to have an affinity. That’s fine. But there is a certain type of person who almost instinctively romanticizes “The Other,” and Wade here seems like that kind of guy, in particular with the “indigenous peoples” and all of their (quite possibly) wonderful cultural universes. It becomes apparent he’s doing so when he speaks about the US and its citizens (would he also refer to them as “peoples?” ((...”the suburban peoples of southeast Florida”... why do I think not)), and gives none of them the generosity of intentions or sense of cultural preciousness he automatically allots native cultures or even the nation of Colombia itself.It’s something you often see as well in writing about Native American populations & histories and it always smacks of immaturity and sentimentality. Ironically, a line he includes in the book, referring to those who don't accept the enshrining of native cultures into the modern Colombian social fabric, could be a reflection of his own mind and relationship with the Western societies from which he is descendant:“Those who remain dismissive, as if shamed by the faces of their own nation, are often among the unfortunate few, who, perhaps driven by insecurity, seek approbation by mimicking always what lies outside of Colombia, rather than finding identity, strength, and inspiration in the riches of their own homeland.”I’ve previously heard Wade state something to the effect that at all cultures have good and bad elements to them, that they’re simply made up of people. To that point, I would appreciate his story more and feel like I got more out of certain aspects of it if he was applying the same mildly distanced narrative tone across all cultures and “peoples.” But he’s not. So know that you’re going to read this book and it’s not an academic history, it’s a personal love letter, and it’s a new and good one which opens a very interesting vein for someone looking to learn about Colombia.

i like it

As a Colombian living in the US, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the richness of Colombia's culture and nature. But also to comprehend the origins of a violent history derived by the way the country was conquered by the Spanish conquistadors (thieves), and the senseless and pointless war on drugs that another thief, Nixon, started back in the 70's. The Magdalena river needs healing, and Wade's book is a great start to that noble goal.

wonderful book by Wade Davis, great writer. Sent quickly.

The story told by Wade Davis in his latest book, “Magdalena: River of Dreams”, is one which should be made mandatory reading for school students every where. The content covers everything a person could ever experience in their human lifetime, and than some. I plan on re-reading this book many many times, simply because there is just so much wisdom to extract from Wade Davis that one reading won’t do justice to his masterpiece. One of the best books I have ever read and highly recommend it to everyone.

È la narrazione sul paese (la Colombia) la sua historia e della sua gente più interessante che abbia mai letto. Ho trovato questo libro scritto da un Canadiense, che descrive in maniera molto piacevole da leggere e veritiera, la Colombia, dalla conquista degli spagnoli ai nostri giorni. Sono nato e fatto le elementari e il liceo in Colombia, letto libri di storia, letto articoli sui giornali, guide turistiche, navigato il Magdalena da Honda a Barranquilla in kayak, negli anni 60, ed ho constatato che il libro non è un romanzo. Tutto se agiusta ai fatti e alla verità.

I've never read a book like that! infact I wouldn't have found it had it not been recommended by one member of my bookclub. Have learned a lot about the turmoils of Columbia through history, the love and attachment of its people to their lands and homes. Fabulous book!

Beautifully written with a rather poetic and wistful take on botany and the passage of Colombia through a turbulent 20th century this is a good read for anyone with an interest in travel or the evolution of the environment in South America since the Spanish conquest. It is dotted with lovely stories from the sides of the Magdalena river and from its beautiful and much put-upon people who recount how the pristine enviroment has changed so much in 70 years.