The Double Life of Fidel Castro: The Hidden World of Cuba's Greatest Leader

by Juan Sanchez

There are few living international figures who fascinate the world more than Fidel Castro. He is at once an infamous historical figure, a modern-day politician and one of the last of his kind. From the leader of a revolution to one who has been accused of dictatorship, exploiting the power of his position to become one of the wealthiest leaders in the world, Fidel Castro's life away from the public eye has remained largely unscrutinised. Despite the world's longstanding desire to know more, biographers have thus far barely scratched the surface of Castro's life and reign. No one with any real knowledge or intimacy of Castro has ever been able to come forward to tell their story - partly because so few people can claim that distinction, and partly because the few who can would never make it out of Cuba. At long last, though, at the end of Castro's life, someone has. Juan Sanchez, former personal chaperone to Castro and, later, fugitive from the vindictive regime, offers a shocking exposure of the man to whom he was devoted for seventeen years - a man whose secret life is entirely different from the facade he presents to the people of Cuba.

Genres: History

203 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2015

About the author

Lieutenant Colonel Juan Reinaldo Sanchez was Fidel Castro's personal bodyguard for 17 years before being imprisoned from 1994 for the "crime" of resigning from his post. He left Cuba in 2008 after 10 unsuccessful bids to escape. He is the author of The Double Life of Fidel Castro: My 17 Years as Personal Bodyguard to El Lider Maximo.

Reviews

[Julio Lainez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short book on the life Fidel tried to keep from people. It goes into some depth on Castro's ruthlessness. You can finish this book in a couple of weeks or less. Good book to have in your Castro library.

[Karen Lovett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dictators are so amazing! Castrol started with good intentions but he prospered and the people of Cuba are still suffering. This book was very revealing.

[Luís · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it is very interesting to learn the aspects of Fidel's life that aren't public nor normally exposed by the media, there are two aspects that reduce my rating: the writing and the lack of evidence. The writing is something you would expect since Sanchez is not a writer. Plus, if someone is reading the translated version, you can't tell if it is a poor translation or not. However, the lack of evidence (which is kind of understandable considering the subject) is something that hurts the book. Because you can't prove that what Sanchez is saying is true (although I honestly believe it might be). Nonetheless, I would recommend this to anyone who would like to open their eyes in terms of left-wing parties, left-wing revolutions, Latin-american history and Fidel Castro's life.

[Ken Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

[20 Oct 2024] This short biography of Fidel Castro of Cuba was written by his ex-body guard, Juan Sanchez is interesting, informative and an excellent read. It was written by a Spanish speaker, first published in French and translated into English and very occasionally this fact is noticeable, certain expressions or phrases stand-out, but in no way spoils the narrative pace and flow. It is packed with information about Castro, much previously unknown and the insights into his psychology, his politics and his behaviour are provided by someone who was there and witnessed it. As a piece of history it is explosive - This is a significant work, because it is actual evidence of the corruption of communism, the evil of dictatorship, the lies, cheating, the wasting of lives for ideology, criminal activity, torture and unlawful detention of innocent people by a tyrant. Castro allegedly believed communism was the counter blast to colonialism, capitalist greed and the oppression of the workers. When in actual fact it was an evil dictatorship that oppressed millions, caused widespread poverty, fear and diminished lives of those it repressed, while secretly aggrandising the mythical God-like leader.

A very interesting book written by a man who truly believed in the revolution and who devoted his adult life to protecting its leader, only to witness absolute hypocrisy and self aggrandisement on an unbelievable scale. His reward, when he wanted to retire, was prison and torture. Luckily he escaped to the USA and now tells the tale. Compulsory reading for communists everywhere!

[Citesc · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just starting the book: "i never asked myself too many questions about the way the system operated." Ooo-ok! 5 lines below he says "i had earned my master degree in LAW and climbed every rung of the hierarchy..." What? And he didn't know how the system operated? I guess i know; the system operated because of people like sanchez!!

This says it all: i gave up the book already! I'm happy i didn't spend one cent on it! I would give 0.0 stars!

[AnaMejzr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read it in English. Seemed quite populist. More over, the author seems to try catching the reader's attention "cutting" the "breaking news" in small little pieces. Didn't feel I can trust all the information written by him. It seemed to me that he is another Cuban living in the USA feeling his country would be in better hands if it would go back to the status it had before the revolution. Didn't really like it.

[Ti.Me · Rating 3 out of 5]

A long-time bodyguard of Fidel Castro recalls the Cuban revolution and what he experienced of the former dictator's talents, travels, deals, and betrayals.

An engaging memoir that ends a bit too suddenly, The Double Life of Fidel Castro has introduced me to a topic I now want to explore more deeply.