The Shadows of Elisa Lynch: How a Nineteenth-century Irish Courtesan Became the Most Powerful Woman in Paraguay

Long before Eva Perón turned Argentina upside down, Elisa Lynch brought Paraguay to its knees.



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 López 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 López and a malign enchantress. In The Shadows of Elisa Lynch, Siân Rees tells her fascinating story of recovered history.

Title - The Shadows of Elisa Lynch: How a Nineteenth-century Irish Courtesan Became the Most Powerful Woman in Paraguay

Edition -

Author - Sian Rees

ISBN 13 - 9780755311156

Imprint - Headline Review

Publisher - Headline Publishing Group

Date Published - 05/01/2004

Prize -

No. of pages -

Binding Type - Paperback

Dimensions - 131 x 197 x 23mm

Weight - 242 g

Languages - English