Τσε Γκεβάρα

Leading Lives

by David Downing, Σοφία Σκουλικάρη (Translator)

Ο Τσε Γκεβάρα, ο μεγάλος επαναστάτης και ηγέτης εικονίζεται πολύ συχνά σε αφίσες, μπλουζάκια και βιβλία. Με τη δράση, το προσωπικό στιλ και τα κείμενά του έδωσε τόσο στην Κουβανική Επανάσταση όσο και στα επαναστατικά κινήματα όλου του κόσμου κάτι το διαφορετικό, το ρομαντικό. Ήταν κομουνιστής, αλλά κομουνιστής διαφορετικός από εκείνους που κατείχαν την εξουσία αλλού. Πάντα έλεγε αυτό που σκεφτόταν και έμοιαζε να κινείται από μια γνήσια και ανιδιοτελή επιθυμία να χτίσει έναν καλύτερο, δικαιότερο κόσμο. Το βιβλίο αυτό περιγράφει τη συναρπαστική ιστορία του ανθρώπου πίσω από το μύθο και τον αντίκτυπο της δράσης του στη Λατινική Αμερική. Ακόμα αποκαλύπτει τα πολιτικά και κοινωνικά πιστεύω του Γκεβάρα το πώς γνώρισε τον Φιντέλ Κάστρο και το ρόλο που έπαιξε στην Κουβανική Επανάσταση.

Genres: History

64 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

David Downing is the author of a political thriller, two alternative histories and a number of books on military and political history and other subjects as diverse as Neil Young and Russian Football.

Reviews

[Mariam Mord'Sith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This small but mighty book gives an interesting account of the man behind the myth and the impact he had on Latin American history.
It may not be comprehensive but still good enough to be called a ‘biography’- supported by illustrations with Photos and maps, detailed time-line, the key people during his time, places you could visit, and suggested further reading.

In a nutshell, the book attempts to give a brief biographical sketch of the revolutionary. It explains who Ernesto Che Guevara was and the events that lead to his unfortunate and cruel death.

Downing briefly reveals Che in childhood and youth, his motorcycle odyssey, his political and social beliefs, his stay at Guatemala, how he met Castro, the events he witnessed in Guatemala which lead the Argentine-born guerrilla to join the Cubans, as well as the role he played in the Cuban Revolution, his African dream which resulted in his attempt to start a revolution in the Republic of Congo, and how he met his death in Bolivia and the legacy he left behind.

I have since educated myself about Che: from documentaries to movies, books, articles, his translated speeches, etcetera. In view of that, I have not really discovered anything new or different from what I am familiar with prior to reading the book and neither will you if you already know his ‘full’ biography.

Nonetheless, Downing’s style of writing makes it a fine read. Besides, it is about Ernesto so it never gets boring. He [Che Guevara] is as alive today as they never wanted him to be.

[Bookworm Amir · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit short and lacking to my linking, but a VERY introductory read about Che's life.

[Khalid Al Khalili · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very basic, and presented a favorable image of Che, which isn't bad, just a little intellectually dishonest. A good introductory read.