Facundo (by Domingo Faustino Sarmiento)

"Facundo" by Domingo Faustino Sarmiento is a powerful book that explores Argentine society in the 19th century through the life of Juan Facundo Quiroga, a caudillo or regional leader. Sarmiento criticizes the spread of chaos, violence, and authoritarianism associated with such leaders, contrasting it with the ideals of modernization, education, and order. The book emphasizes the importance of education and civil values for national progress, warning that reliance on violent leadership hampers social development. Ultimately, it advocates for progress through rational, enlightened policies and the rejection of barbarism and anarchy.