Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life


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    • Author : Jon Lee Anderson
    • Binding : Hardcover
    • EAN : 9780802116000
    • Edition : 1
    • ISBN : 0802116000
    • Is Eligible For Trade In? : Yes
    • Label : Grove Pr
    • List Price : CDN$ 36.95 (CAD)
    • Manufacturer : Grove Pr
    • Number Of Pages : 814
    • Package Dimensions : 2.00 inches (Height) x 9.10 inches (Length) x 2.70 pounds (Weight) x 6.00 inches (Width)
    • Publication Date : 1997-03
    • Publisher : Grove Pr
    • Studio : Grove Pr

    Even to those without Marxist sympathies, Che Guevara (1928-67) was a dashing, charismatic figure: the asthmatic son of an aristocratic Argentine family whose sympathy for the world's oppressed turned him into a socialist revolutionary, the valued comrade-in-arms of Cuba's Fidel Castro and a leader of guerilla warfare in Latin America and Africa. Journalist Jon Lee Anderson's lengthy and absorbing portrait captures the complexities of international politics (revolutionary and counter); his painstaking research has unearthed a remarkable amount of new material, including information about Guevara's death at the hands of the Bolivian military.

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    Customer Reviews:

    Rated 4.5 stars Customers rated Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life 4.5 stars out of 5.0 based on 92 reviews:

    • Troublemaker

      by Ann Lesters (Lewiston, NY) - 2004-07-15  Rated 1 stars
      First off, the recipes in this book are no bueno -- the Colonel makes chicken better than this, and that ain't saying much. Second, Che is still riding Fidel's coattails. Che was the Ethel to Castro's Lucy Ball.... Maybe smarter, but lacking in kooky charm... that we can feel superior yet protective toward. Che is boring, and his words seem antiquated today. 800 pages is way too much, for someone so unfunny... and an elite background at that... save the drama for your mama ,Che!

    • A Revolutionary Life

      by JMack (Chicago) - 2004-06-27  Rated 5 stars
      Ernesto "Che" Guevara was a revolutionary. He was born in Argentina but never called the country home after his college years, studying medicine. Through his travels during his college years, he became aware of the povery and inequality in South America. This inspired him to fight for the equality he felt Marxism would bring. Che is known for his effect on the communist revolution in Cuba. He also fought in falied revolutions in Congo and Bolivia. It is safe to say that he is a man who impacted the world even if you do not agree with his political views. He is the man who invented guerrilla warfare.John Lee Anderson's book is the definitive book on Che Guevara. At times, it is almost too detailed with its nearly 800 page length. In reality, a book being too detailed is a compliment. The pictures he chose to include in the text are outstanding. Many of the pictures have been in CIA possession for years, and unseen to the public.While not directly a goal of the book, I enjoyed the insight this book gives into the relationship between Che and Fidel Castro. Anderson lets the reader draw conclusions rather than telling the reader what to think. While Castro believed in communism, Guevara was held policies more closely to the writing of Karl Marx. Che was willing to criticize policy if he felt it was not "Marxist enough". Unlike Castro, Che was willing to criticize the Soviet Union leaders for not living in the true equality that communism is intended to be.Despite Cuba's rivalry with the United States, I found it odd that more was not mentioned about the Cuba Missle Crisis. Guevara detested the United States, so it seems he would have had more to say in the matter. If he did have more to say, little is mentioned in the book. Because of its length, readers need some spare time to take in this whole book. The thoroughness of the product makes reading this book a rewarding experience.

    • "most complete human being of our age" -- Sartre

      by Anthony (Las Vegas, NV USA) - 2004-05-31  Rated 5 stars
      Anderson's biography of Che Guevara was passionately researched. Within the pages of this large book are the most detailed accounts of Che Guevara's life. The book begins with a history of Che's upbringing and forces you to realize how much this man was truly like any other man. Anderson finds importance in the travels Che makes as a young man across South America. Journeys which eventually became 'The Motorcycle Diaries'. Detail is given to the periods of life that influenced his radicalization.This was a man who felt deeply for the exploitation of his people. He dreamed of a tomorrow where man did not trample on one another through competition and greed. Che Guevara sacrificed his life for what he believed in. There is no death more honorable. In reading Jon Lee Anderson's biography of this enormous figure, you will fell sympathy for his cause, respect for his determination, and awe for his accomplishments on the battlefield and in his study.

    • A Serviceable Biography

      by Issa Davary (United States) - 2004-05-19  Rated 5 stars
      The first major biography of "El Che" comes three decades after his death. It is well worth the 30 year wait. At times it can be a grueling read (750+ pages, what do you expect?), but it is evident that Anderson worked long and hard on this book. Very well-researched, and, as another reviewer stated, makes you question the authenticity of some of the documents. Honestly, how can anyone be so well-connected? It has no pro- or anti-Che tilt, which is good. A great biographer lets the facts speak for themselves, and that is what Anderson does. All in all, this is a well-researched, well-written, well-footnoted biography of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. I gave it an extra star because it is the only decent biography of Che to date.

    • Che's world becomes your world

      by - 2004-05-11  Rated 5 stars
      At a little over 700 pages, this is an investment in time, but you won't regret one second of it. This is the quintessential reference book on Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Actual quotes from his amazing journals that he kept throughout his life, help explain this complex individual as he develops his political idealogy while exploring Latin America. I grew up terrified of Communist Cuba and not knowing why. I still don't condone communism, but I finally understand it a little better. It was interesting looking at the revolution through Che's eyes. Jon Lee Anderson did an amazing job of researching his subject. I'm in awe of the work he put into this project. I couldn't wait to get home from work and begin reading again. There was almost a sadness when I completed it. The sadness being that the CIA, whose presense in Latin America he despised, made the decision of whether he would live or die. By the time you get to the last part, YOU'RE pretty sick of the CIA, too. I cannot recommend this biography enough. Very well done, Mr. Anderson...

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