The Argentine folk singer, Mercedes Sosa, was a world-class performer, whose influence went far beyond the borders of music. Nicknamed, “The Voice of the Voiceless”, Sosa used her voice to transmit the strength and fire needed for cultural and personal change. For decades, Sosa was a dynamic force in shaping Latin America.

Mercedes Sosa - The Voice of Hope is a history lesson, a touching tribute, and a triumphant memoir all in one. It shows the power of art to transcend cultural differences and to unite us in what is most human.

The first part of the book chronicles Sosa's spiritual, political, and artistic journey and offers a psychological profile that displays insights into the artist’s character and actions. Danish author, Anette Christensen paints a portrait that incorporates the colors of despair, triumph, love, fear, and all the other human emotions that define a life, - in this case, the life of one of the greatest contemporary artists in Latin America.

In the second part, Christensen frames the understanding of how connecting with Sosa and Sosa’s music helped her overcome her own illness and emotional traumas. It is a brave offering from Christensen, authentic and at times vulnerable.

Through principles from interpersonal neurobiology, Christensen shows how relationships and connection have the power to heal and how music and mindfulness can help rewire the brain. By doing so, Christensen has developed a useful and an applicable roadmap to recovery for anyone who struggles with a painful past.

Capturing the restorative impact of compassion and affection, this narrative that calls out for the best in all of us. It empowers us to be ourselves and to overcome life challenges.

“In her voice, life becomes a song with a scent of hope as sweet and beautiful as the flower that grows in the paths of those who looks forward.”  (open the link in a new window and listen while you read on)

Editoral review: 

Anette Christensen's book, Mercedes Sosa - The Voice of Hope: My Life-transforming Encounter, is both biography and personal memoir. She chronicles Sosa's spiritual, political and artistic journey in the first half of the book. Christensen writes in the present-tense, which gives it an immediacy that's not only powerful and gripping, but it helps to bring this remarkable woman to life. The writing itself is clear, unpretentious and often eloquent, much like Sosa's music. There are times when the author's voice and creativity blends with the material, which is often the case in good historical writing. It's impossible for a biographer to know for sure what a subject is thinking, for example, but in using good research together with a well-honed instinct and empathy, delivering those thoughts to the reader can be a transcendent as well as informative experience. Christensen manages this beautifully, and paints a portrait that incorporates the colors of despair, triumph, love, fear, and all the other human emotions that define a life--in this case, the life of one of the greatest contemporary artistic revolutionaries in Latin America.

In the second half of the book, Ms. Christensen explores, in memoir fashion, her own life, and how her discovery of Sosa's music and life became a catalyst for change and growth in her own. She's careful to use enough detail to make her generalizations solid, and she doesn't shy away from uncomfortable truths about her own life. Her journey through neuroscience and other contemporary approaches to spiritual growth such as mindfulness, is interesting and informative. If I had to choose one thing I regretted, and wish she had addressed more fully, it would be how Sosa affected her own stance toward political things. Make no mistake about it, politics was at the center of Sosa's life, for politics is the science of human relationships. Sosa was a political revolutionary, which is a dangerous thing to be in this world, even in places and times where fascism and repressive politics are underground or waiting for the first chance to rear their ugly heads. 

This is a beautiful book, and I hope it gets the attention it deserves. The fact that English is a second language for the author is remarkable, in and of itself.- Charles Musser, film historian, documentary maker, author and professor of Film and Media Studies

Endorsements:

“In this work, you will find a new and touching perspective on our beloved Mercedes. It is a heartfelt and affectionate tribute honoring the life of my mother.”  -Fabián Matus, son of Mercedes Sosa and president of The Mercedes Sosa Foundation.

“The Author’s profound connection with Mercedes Sosa and subsequent transformation is a testament of the restoring impact of positive connections. The author does more than just entertain the reader or spark the reader's interest. She spreads hope and knowledge.”-Pauline Skeates, Therapist, Director of Insight-International and Developer of Insight Focused Therapy, New Zealand

"This is a coherent, lucid, authentic and well researched account of the life of Mercedes Sosa. It is the first book written in English about Mercedes Sosa and a powerful reading which I would highly recommend to followers of Mercedes Sosa - but also to readers who are interested in personal growth." -Barbara. M. Webb – Author of South America, Under the Skin of a Foreign Country.

About the Author:

Anette Christensen, born and raised in Denmark, began her career by helping develop international charity programs. Later she became a language teacher for college students, and then, with her husband, ran a travel agency and a real estate agency. Now semi-retired and living in Turkey, she writes and focuses on personal growth.

For years Anette traveled in many parts of the world. Her experience with various cultures has enabled her to engage with people with a different outlook on life than her own. She is eager to learn from others and finds joy in embracing the difference of others, spotting the uniqueness that she believes is within each individual.

It was only upon Mercedes Sosa’s death that Anette Christensen discovered this influential and important Argentine singer. Captivated by Sosa’s voice and presence, Anette immersed herself in Sosa’s music and life. In doing so, she discovered an avenue to personal healing that can be accessed by anyone.

In her book on Sosa, Anette shares the singer’s story while exploring the scientific underpinnings of how connecting with another person leads to growth, something Anette discovered intuitively. Mercedes Sosa - The Voice of Hope is the first book by Christensen. It is a product of a life fully lived and shows that Christensen is a gifted story-teller.

Anette has undertaken more than 7000 hours of research for her book about Mercedes Sosa and is today  regarded as a respected Mercedes Sosa ambassador throughout the world.

     Contains

• 44 photos
• The author's personal sketches
• Multiple hyperlinks in the eBook to songs and events described in the book

The book has been translated into Spanish. Get it here: mybook.to/Mercedes-Sosa-Esperanza