Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life
by Jon Lee Anderson
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 709)
Read in October, 2007
recommended to LonewolfMX by:
Professor Mayo De La Rocharecommends it for: Katie Styer
This book wonderfully written by Jon Anderson is a balanced account on the life of Commandate Ernesto "Che" Guevara De La Serna. Most books in the past about either idolize him and turn him into a Legendary icon of a God like status or vilify him as a ruthless Communist tyrant.
Anderson does a great job with very extensive research from the Guevara family in both Che's native Argentina and Cuba as well as records kept by the Cuban government as well as testimonial from his Comrades...more
Anderson does a great job with very extensive research from the Guevara family in both Che's native Argentina and Cuba as well as records kept by the Cuban government as well as testimonial from his Comrades...more
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Simply the Best: This is an excellent biography. It shows Guevara from all perspectives; personal, political, and as a historical figure. I can't recommend this book highly enough. My only serious criticism for Anderson is that he should have included better documentation for some of his sources. <br /> <br />One interesting item of note for the would-be "revolutionary vanguard" sorts is Anderson's masterful analysis of how and why Guevara's revolutionary incursions into th...more
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Another one of those books, which you should read another one at the same time. I just had to take a break from it here and there. I'm glad I read it before we spent some time in Central and South America, travelling, volunteering, and climbing. This book made me understand more of the political aspects on the need for change and freedom from ownership of a cultures resources... I'm totally for the nationalization of resources, it belongs to the people. You understand the book in a way, that ...more
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Che would have been a shitty American, and so that's why I think (North)Americans kinda don't like him. But, believe me, America is full of the children of the middle class going through phases of revolutionary fervor after they are exposed to the poverty of the kids next door. Now imagine being exposed to an entire continent's poverty.
Fidelismo may have just traded one set of problems for the other, but Cuba probably has the best schools and medical care in Latin America, even if it has i...more
Fidelismo may have just traded one set of problems for the other, but Cuba probably has the best schools and medical care in Latin America, even if it has i...more
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Read in January, 2005
The book captures the true Che, A guy from the elite circles who crossed over to the bad side of town and never fit in anywhere. Che is an Icon to many, but he also is a very flawed man. Che’s image on shirts, posters, etc… symbolizes a revolutionary spirit, which gives me hope for our future generations. But revolutions are never pretty and are almost always politically flawed. This book takes you by the hand and allows you to see the flaws, even as Che embraces them (in the end he had no c...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
folks who like biographies
i learned a lot about guevara's life and the history of the cuban revolution. the writing is pretty engaging but it starts to feel a little stale after page 500 or so (even though i read it over the course of like a year (and that after having to start over after the first attempt cause of film school hecticness)) but i think that just goes with the territory of what anderson is doing, which is creating an incredibly thorough examination of che's life that doesn't romanticize or unduly critici...more
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Read in December, 2007
Excellent biography: well researched, highly informative, relatively objective.
Highlights:
p.634
[In a letter to his children:]"Study hard to be able to dominate the techniques that permit the domination of nature."
p.433-34
grandesargentinos.blogspot.es/
Algo que realmente se ha desarrollado en mí es la sensación de lo masivo en contraposición con lo personal; soy el mismo solitario que era, busca...more
Highlights:
p.634
[In a letter to his children:]"Study hard to be able to dominate the techniques that permit the domination of nature."
p.433-34
grandesargentinos.blogspot.es/
Algo que realmente se ha desarrollado en mí es la sensación de lo masivo en contraposición con lo personal; soy el mismo solitario que era, busca...more
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Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
everyone
I was curious about Che and wanted to know more about him. Who was this person who became an icon? I was afraid that there was no way to get any information that wasn't totally biased but fortunately I found this book. I really got the feeling this as honest and straightforward portrayal that you could ask for, especially for such a controversial figure.
I would recommend this book to everyone. I learned an amazing amount about a period of history that is rarely discussed honestly.
Exh...more
I would recommend this book to everyone. I learned an amazing amount about a period of history that is rarely discussed honestly.
Exh...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommended to Jamey by:
My brotherrecommends it for: Anyone
The book seems to be well researched, with the authoring doing a fairly good job of portraying him in a "matter of fact" light, while avoiding overpraise and worship. This book also provides great historical background, helping to fill the reader with a sense of the times.
A personal side note, while reading this book and traveling, I received a lot of interest from strangers. One was just a woman who was just trying to strike up a conversation. Another was a man who followed Che's...more
A personal side note, while reading this book and traveling, I received a lot of interest from strangers. One was just a woman who was just trying to strike up a conversation. Another was a man who followed Che's...more
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Read in March, 2008
This book is a little intimidating. The book itself is HUGE and the print is small. This is not a book to pick up as a quick read or for a short synopsis of Che's life. However, I enjoyed getting to look into this man's life and what he believed and stood for. Many may find this man to be a rebel, others a communist, others a freedom fighter, or socialist. I found it interesting to read from his journal pages and get things from his perspective. I have always enjoyed reading about those wh...more
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Read in February, 2008
I had decided to read this biography of Che Guevara because the author's interest in his subject arose from the same motivations that I had in reading about him. Namely, what was the nature of this person who could inspire such adulation in some people, and such animosity in others?
I am satisfied that I have gained as clear a picture as I possibly can without having known him myself. The book is too long and detailed to be considered entertaining reading, but it is clear that the man canno...more
I am satisfied that I have gained as clear a picture as I possibly can without having known him myself. The book is too long and detailed to be considered entertaining reading, but it is clear that the man canno...more
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Read in August, 2008
A comprehensive, meticulous, if somewhat plodding biography of one of the most universally misappropriated figures of the 20th Century. I'm not yet in the Sierra Maestra with Fidel, but the prologue to Che's rendezvous with history is still compelling. Did you know he was on hand when the CIA overthrew Arbenz in Guatemala? And folks wonder why Fidel didn't wait around for the US to do the same with the Batistianos (and they tried anway). BTW, if you ever wondered where he got the nickname, it is...more
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Sometimes its better to finish a book half-way through. Che is a troubling character for leftists. We want to support the idea of Revolution of and for the people, but we don't want to support a thug who actively gave away all of his ethos for a revolutionary ideal which was reduced to fighting the Yankees. Political discourse is much better as t-shirt. As a book, this was thorough and clear, exactly what I would want. But in terms of my personal mythology, I will always prefer "The Motorcy...more
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A great biography about a generally misunderstood figurehead. I have seen to much crap with Guevera's face on it, tees, bandanas, medallions, pencil holders, etc. His persona has been so commodifed it is important to understand who he was a what he represents. The book does not shy away from his dark moments; rape, murder, or his phenomenal ones; adrenaline shots into the heart, voluntary poverty. A fantastic book.
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I realize that I must of had several months of reading about "revolutionists" or "tyrants". However, this was during college, and what subject wouldn't engage a college student's mind than political knowledge. I am sure I picked up this book after watching "Motorcycle Diaries". This book made me understand the anti-imperialist sentiment in the world, as Che visits Mayan ruins and an American copper mine in Chile. At the end, Guevera is bitter-sweet; you love and hat
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Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
The Fed Up
Now it reads less like a history book and more like a history book.
Tells you more then you thought you wanted to know and yet still letting you feel like you didn't read a thing.
Don't get me wrong I enjoyed this. Before you put on your Che shirt give this a read. Che's not really that dude from the motorcycle diary's.
Very in depth about his life and those around him who later become people America hates. Jungle survival and jungle fever.
Tells you more then you thought you wanted to know and yet still letting you feel like you didn't read a thing.
Don't get me wrong I enjoyed this. Before you put on your Che shirt give this a read. Che's not really that dude from the motorcycle diary's.
Very in depth about his life and those around him who later become people America hates. Jungle survival and jungle fever.
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Waaaay more than I ever needed to know about Che. But at least it's more than just the romanticized image that people have come to know. The guy was a jerk, really. But he wasn't a bad guy. He earnestly wanted good things for poor people and thought he had a plan that would work. I can't say I agree with all of his thoughts, but I kinda like the guy for trying. AND, dude looks just like my ex-boyfriend in some of the pics. Communists are hot.
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Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
people before they buy the shirt
A well written biography of an individual who attained stardom, if not martyrdom in this post modern age.
A great read, well researched, touching on all the major themes of Che's life.
How surprised folks will be when the read about the executiner Che, the reactionary fascist disciplinarian he becomes in his late life, the man abandoned by the fates which guided him to power earlier.
Read this, before you mindlessly sport the shirt.
A great read, well researched, touching on all the major themes of Che's life.
How surprised folks will be when the read about the executiner Che, the reactionary fascist disciplinarian he becomes in his late life, the man abandoned by the fates which guided him to power earlier.
Read this, before you mindlessly sport the shirt.
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Read in January, 2002
After reading the incredible "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand, I decided to balance out my political intake by reading about Che Guevara.
If there is anyone who can challenge Rand's political Objectivism, who else but Che?
The Book itself is an average history book on an iconic figure. I consider it required reading if for no other reason than to understand the irony his iconic image has become.
If there is anyone who can challenge Rand's political Objectivism, who else but Che?
The Book itself is an average history book on an iconic figure. I consider it required reading if for no other reason than to understand the irony his iconic image has become.
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Read in January, 1999
che was brought down by his own sense of destiny and fate and his foolish belief in himself and permanent revolution, but that's not any reason to read this. the stories of him doing daredevil motorbiking and trekking on his scooter inspired me to explore south america and generally do daring things. it's a pretty sad ending but an interesting read.
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