Bookended by a foiled attempt on Bolvar's life in Bogota in 1828, it charts the story of the revolutionary leader's impassioned fight for independence from Spain and creation of a united South American nation, the great stories of love and loss in his life, the political intrigue and drama following his ascension to power and his mysterious death. Simon Bolívar fought over 100 battles against the Spanish Empire in South America. He rode over 70,000 miles on horseback.