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Description
One of the most inspiring and successful global leaders of the early 21st century explains how bold, imaginative leadership can solve even the most intractable problems—and why there is no such thing as a lost cause. It’s one of the great, unexpected turnaround stories in modern history: Just a decade ago, Colombia was regarded as a “failed state,” besieged by megalomaniacal drug kingpins, ruthless terrorist groups, and abominable poverty. But since 2002, it has been dramatically transformed into a far more peaceful, stable modern democracy with a promising future. Now, the man who led the transformation, former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe Velez, offers the untold story of how, at enormous personal risk, he refused to accept Colombia’s perilous status quo. Extremely captivating, No Lost Causes reveals how President Uribe severely weakened the neo-terrorist group, the FARC, which held Colombia captive and caused the brutal murder of his father. It relates the gripping account of how President Uribe staged the daring (and bloodless) jungle rescue of Ingrid Betancourt in 2008, and eventually restored the rule of law across the country. It also explores practical lessons of hands-on management—relevant to both political and business leaders—and provides a thrilling behind-the-scenes look at newsmaking U.S. foreign affairs and never before discussed details and dealings with various world leaders. Unlike any other presidential memoir, No Lost Causes is not only a compelling story of leadership, but an epic, heart-racing account of how bravery and hope gave a failing nation a brighter future.
About the Author
Alvaro Uribe Velez was President of Colombia between 2002 and 2010. During his presidency, violence fell to the lowest levels in recent memory as the country achieved important military victories against the FARC and dismantled paramilitary groups. While Mr. Uribe was in office, Colombia also reached its highest-ever levels of investment and exports—and achieved the highest health and education coverage in the country’s history. By the end of his term, his popularity rating was above 80 percent—another modern record in Colombia. Before becoming president, Mr. Uribe was a senator, governor of Antioquia state, and mayor of Medellin, among other positions. He holds a degree in Law and Political Science from Universidad de Antioquia and a postgraduate degree from Harvard University in Management and Administration. At Harvard, he also studied Conflict Resolution. He was a Senior Associate Member from Saint Antony’s College at Oxford University. Since leaving the presidency, Mr. Uribe has served as a visiting scholar at several universities and as vice chairman of the UN Secretary Panel of Inquiry investigating the May 2010 flotilla incident in Gaza. Nowadays, he’s a Fellow in the Bipartisan Policy Center.
Praise for No Lost Causes…
Excerpt from the WSJ book review “The Man Who Saved Colombia” "Certain political leaders, whatever their aspirations, become overwhelmed by events they once thought they could master...Other leaders, though, meet enormous challenges with a vision and a resolve that allow them to shape events and guide the course of history...To this second group belongs Alvaro Uribe Vélez...What is most interesting about No Lost Causes...isn't so much the narrative of [Mr. Uribe's] achievements but the insights he offers into his own character and the life experiences that created it."






