This is the story of the seven extraordinary young men who gave their lives for South America's independence in the early years of the 19th century. They were: Francisco de Miranda, who narrowly escaped the guillotine in France, impressed both George Washington and Catherine the Great, and who became the Governor of Venezuela for a time; Simon Bolivar, an aristocrat with innumerable lovers, who led guerrilla armies through the swamps and jungles to liberate most of the northern part of their country; the inarticulate San Martin, and his comrade Bernardo O'Higgins, the illegitimate son of a Spanish viceroy; Admiral Lord Cochrane, the colourful Scottish nobleman known as the Sea Wolf; Iturbide, cashiered for extortion and subsequently Emperor of Mexico; and Crown Prince Pedro of Portugal, who turned against his father and brought independence to Brazil. Despite their great daring and ultimate success all seven died amid pathos and tragedy.