Che Guevara: A Biography

by Daniel James, Henry Butterfield Ryan (Introduction)

The biography of Ernesto Che Guevara (1928-1967) provides a penetrating look at the revolutionary leader who remains one of the most provocative and important political figures of the tumultuous 1960s. In a revelatory examination of Guevara's formative years and his family life in Argentina, James recounts how Guevara was particularly influenced by his mother, whose political views helped forge the revolutionary consciousness that would leave such a significant imprint on the times. The author describes how, within six years, Guevara evolved from a medical school graduate to a full-blown revolutionary and how he became a crucial figure in the Cuban revolution as well as in insurgent communist movements in the Congo and Bolivia.

James analyzes the rebel icon's life and career with a critical acumen and unsparing perspective distinct from other Guevara biographers. James was the first to note that Guevara enthusiastically endorsed the many executions of anti-Castro Cubans that followed Castro's victory in 1959. It was an irony that Guevara himself recognized as he was about to be executed in Bolivia in 1967, betrayed by the people he had come to liberate, but had fatally misread. This biography, based on numerous interviews and access to family members, also provides an intimate glimpse into Guevara's last desperate days and hours, and into the international political maneuverings that followed his execution by the Bolivian army.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography

380 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography was written within 2 years after Che's death, by a staunch anti-Communist who didn't have much good to say about the guerrilla. So it was an interesting perspective. The book ended with a chapter on the current (1969) state of revolution in Latin America, which was also interesting to read today knowing what we know about, for example, Nicaragua in the 80s.

[Patrick Gesnot · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first part is interesting. When Che becomes minister, it is clear that the author doesn't understand what is going on and starts quoting CIA stuff. The book is getting boring.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

uesful but slow at times from abundance of details. the last chapter was especially informative, detailing the effects of guevarism, or guevara's influence on people that led to me being given a tshirt with his face on it. interesting look at 1968 in western hemisphere.

[Muphyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it when I was a teenager, almost infatuated with Che.. I need to read it again to see if I still find Che as fascinating as I did then.