Hugo Chávez and the Bolivarian Revolution

by Richard Gott

The authoritative first-hand account of contemporary Venezuela, Hugo Ch�vez places the country's controversial and charismatic president in historical perspective, and examines his plans and programs. Welcomed in 1999 by the inhabitants of the teeming shanty towns of Caracas as their potential savior, and greeted by Washington with considerable alarm, this former golpista-turned-democrat took up the aims and ambitions of Venezuela's liberator, Sim�n Bol�var. Now in office for over a decade, President Ch�vez has undertaken the most wide-ranging transformation of oil-rich Venezuela for half a century, and dramatically affected the political debate throughout Latin America.In this updated edition, Richard Gott reflects on the achievements of the Bolivarian revolution, and the challenges that lie ahead.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography

460 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2011

Reviews

[Carlos Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally written in the mid-2000s and revised with a detailed post-script in 2011, this book is a few years out of date; however, pound for pound it's the best book I've read on Venezuela's Bolivarian Revolution. Gott is a veteran Latin Americanist with a vast knowledge of the continent's history and politics; he has travelled to all parts of Venezuela, met with all walks of life, and talked in detail many times with Hugo Chávez and the other top leaders of the government. As such, he is particularly well placed to explain the ins and outs of modern Venezuelan politics.

The book is framed as a biography, but the biographical detail is minimal and the political context is abundant. Essential reading for those interested in the subject matter.

[Ben Ingraham]

This book is much more about personalities and settings and chatty interviews than organizing, etc. Definitely cool and I learned a lot, but I want to know about CITIZEN OUTREACH and door knocking. Short pieces about 2002 coup but it doesn’t go very far beyond into the later Chavez years and communes, etc.

[Spooky Socialist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eminently readable, albeit outdated.

[Peter Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A journalistic and generally sympathetic account of Venezuelan politics and the career of Hugo Chavez down to 2011. It is highly readable if I suspect more than a little partisan.