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Hugo!: The Hugo Chavez Story from Mud Hut to Perpetual Revolution
Bart Jones knows Venezuela intimately and was an eyewitness to President Hugo Chávez’s rise to power. In Hugo! he tells the story of Chávez’s impoverished childhood, his military career and the decade of clandestine political activity that ended in a failed attempt to seize power in 1992. He describes the election campaign against a former Miss Universe that finally won Chávez the Presidency and the dramatic reversals of fortune that have marked the struggle to reform the Venezuelan economy, the coup attempt of 2002 in which he was kidnapped and faced summary execution, and the oil industry strike that followed. The full stories of many of these episodes have never been told before – in English or Spanish. Hugo! is scrupulously researched and sourced, and as compelling to read as a good novel. The ruling elites and popular media in Venezuela and the United States oversimplify by casting Chávez as the heir to Fidel Castro, and more often than not, they have their facts wrong. The truth is more complex, and more interesting. The leader of one of the most powerful economies in Latin America is determined to try to use his country's wealth to help the poor majority. The Chávez that emerges from Jones’ account is neither a plaster saint nor a revolutionary tyrant. He is a master politician — democratically elected to the presidency three times — an inspired improviser, a Bolivarian nationalist and an unashamed socialist. His policies have brought him into conflict with the IMF and the World Bank, the major oil companies and the Bush White House. By the time he arrived at the United Nations in September 2006 he had become a figure on the world stage. When he declared that ‘the devil came here yesterday … the President of the United States’, it was clear that, right or wrong, one man was taking on the might of most powerful nation on earth, in conscious imitation of the Liberator, Simon Bolivar.
568 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2007
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331 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 29, 2016
I am a an admirer of Chavez. I am also a socialist. I really enjoyed this title and I highly recommend our leaders take notice of the undeniable achievements of the Bolivarian Socialist Revolution. Viva Chavez!
June 3, 2023
Good book, definitely a page turner, but not as impartial as it purports to be. You would enjoy this if:
-you like long books
-you're interested in Venezuelan social an geographical politics
-you are a leftist
The author is definitely a sympathizer, and manages to construct hypothetical scenarios, make excuses, or inject his opinion in certain places to cast Chavez and his (sometimes controversial) actions in a more favorable light. Overall though, extremely informative, and definitely a refreshing take on the Venezuela situation that you wont find in the mainstream media.
-you like long books
-you're interested in Venezuelan social an geographical politics
-you are a leftist
The author is definitely a sympathizer, and manages to construct hypothetical scenarios, make excuses, or inject his opinion in certain places to cast Chavez and his (sometimes controversial) actions in a more favorable light. Overall though, extremely informative, and definitely a refreshing take on the Venezuela situation that you wont find in the mainstream media.
August 17, 2014
The first and most important thing to say about this book is that it is a balanced portrayal. The cover has a recommendation saying as much from the Times of London, hardly a bastion of left wing politics. Bart Jones takes us through the early, destitute days of Chavez, through his military career and on to politics. The seeds of a revolutionary are sewn early on through certain postings with the military and a the written teachings of the historic left wing hero, Simon Bolivar, whose written work and actions dominate Chavez’s revolution even today.
The first half of the book covers the period up to and including the attempted coup by Chavez and his followers in the early 90s, and the reasons for it such as the endemic corruption and growing sense of unfairness. Still a relatively unknown quantity, Chavez was treated with caution by most Venezuelans since they didn’t know whether this was another Latin American far right coup attempt, until the night of his capture and his words rang out across the nation and showed him to be someone who would stand up for the poor against the rich oligarchy currently running things. He said the objectives of the coup had not been achieved, for the moment. These three words were latched on to and showed people that Chavez was not a man to give up easily.
Upon his release from Prison Chavez worked within a more legal framework for revolution, following democratic methods and eventually won the presidential election much to the amazement of the main parties at the time who had clouded themselves in such a thick pro-American neoliberal fuzz that they were unable to see the inevitable crash of their desires.
The second part of the book tells us of the challenging encounters Chavez faced as leader and his seemingly unending run ins with the corrupt and self serving elite along with their external support from the staunchly right wing media and the US via the National Endowment for Democracy which seems to promote anything but democracy. The opposition went through an organised coup, kidnapped Chavez, civil disobedience, management strikes, fraudulent petitions, thuggery, elections and calls for assassination and none of this worked. This was all claimed to be in the name of democracy, but a form of democracy which gives the rich minority what they want at the expense of the majority poor.
In between all these attempts at overthrow Chavez enacts some of the most radical social programmes ever seen in Latin America thanks to the oil wealth that he redirected at the poverty stricken masses. This is a wonderful book about a charismatic and strong leader, but also a tender and flawed man, flawed no more though than you or I are flawed. His mistakes and misunderstandings are represented in detail too, but the overwhelming picture is of a soldier, and later president, who overcomes great turbulence to win more elections and referendums than any leader in the world. A man who thinks and cares dearly for those less well off, locally and internationally. Lastly, a true ambassador for what he calls 21st Century Socialism.
The first half of the book covers the period up to and including the attempted coup by Chavez and his followers in the early 90s, and the reasons for it such as the endemic corruption and growing sense of unfairness. Still a relatively unknown quantity, Chavez was treated with caution by most Venezuelans since they didn’t know whether this was another Latin American far right coup attempt, until the night of his capture and his words rang out across the nation and showed him to be someone who would stand up for the poor against the rich oligarchy currently running things. He said the objectives of the coup had not been achieved, for the moment. These three words were latched on to and showed people that Chavez was not a man to give up easily.
Upon his release from Prison Chavez worked within a more legal framework for revolution, following democratic methods and eventually won the presidential election much to the amazement of the main parties at the time who had clouded themselves in such a thick pro-American neoliberal fuzz that they were unable to see the inevitable crash of their desires.
The second part of the book tells us of the challenging encounters Chavez faced as leader and his seemingly unending run ins with the corrupt and self serving elite along with their external support from the staunchly right wing media and the US via the National Endowment for Democracy which seems to promote anything but democracy. The opposition went through an organised coup, kidnapped Chavez, civil disobedience, management strikes, fraudulent petitions, thuggery, elections and calls for assassination and none of this worked. This was all claimed to be in the name of democracy, but a form of democracy which gives the rich minority what they want at the expense of the majority poor.
In between all these attempts at overthrow Chavez enacts some of the most radical social programmes ever seen in Latin America thanks to the oil wealth that he redirected at the poverty stricken masses. This is a wonderful book about a charismatic and strong leader, but also a tender and flawed man, flawed no more though than you or I are flawed. His mistakes and misunderstandings are represented in detail too, but the overwhelming picture is of a soldier, and later president, who overcomes great turbulence to win more elections and referendums than any leader in the world. A man who thinks and cares dearly for those less well off, locally and internationally. Lastly, a true ambassador for what he calls 21st Century Socialism.
October 17, 2021
Socialism isn't the success story which it is made out to be. This is Bart Jones' undoing in 'Hugo.' He constructs elaborate hypothetical would-ifs to cast Hugo Chavez's policies in a golden light and cement his image as the posterchild for Socialism. This was quite an intriguing book but it lacked even a modicum of impartiality. Jones is relying on nostalgia to push forward his thesis that Chavez was a hero. Otherwise, he has nothing of substance besides a chronology.
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December 29, 2021هوغو تشافيز احد اشهر واهم الحكام فى امريكا اللاتينية فى اواخر القرن العشرين وبدايات القرن الواحد وعشرون، سيرة حاكم مفعمة بالثورة، هذا الرجل االذي قاد إنقلاب عسكري فاشل فى بداية التسعينيات وللعجب كان فشل الإنقلاب هي احد اكثر اللحظات نجاحاً فى تاريخه كله، من مجرد عسكري معروف فقط فى الدائرة العسكرية الي نجم فنزويلا بلا منازع فى مفارقة نادرة الحدوث.
كان تشافيز يساري منحاز الي الفقراء، تركز تاريخه السياسي كله على محاربة الطبقة البرجوازية الحاكمة التي تحالفت مع امريكا ونهبت خيرات البلد المثقل بالفقر، ورغم تمتع فنزويلا بنظام ديموقراطي نسبي إلا ان القصور فى النظام جعله عاجز عن اصلاح بنية النظام نفسه ولا يوجد حل (حسب معتقد شافيز) سوي تفجير بنية النظام كلها وإعادة انشاء نظام يخدم قاعدة الشعب العريضة.
شافيز الذي اعتبر نفسه امتداد لمحرر امريكا اللاتينية الأسطوري سيمون دي بوليفار وتلميذ فيدل كاسترو, حكم فنزويلا ما يقارب 14 عاماً حتي وفاته بالسرطان، عاش عمره كله محارباً في سبيل افكاره وانحيازه للطبقة التي نشأ منها، نجح كثيراً وفشل أحياناً لكنه بلا شك حاكم وثائر أستثنائي.
كان تشافيز يساري منحاز الي الفقراء، تركز تاريخه السياسي كله على محاربة الطبقة البرجوازية الحاكمة التي تحالفت مع امريكا ونهبت خيرات البلد المثقل بالفقر، ورغم تمتع فنزويلا بنظام ديموقراطي نسبي إلا ان القصور فى النظام جعله عاجز عن اصلاح بنية النظام نفسه ولا يوجد حل (حسب معتقد شافيز) سوي تفجير بنية النظام كلها وإعادة انشاء نظام يخدم قاعدة الشعب العريضة.
شافيز الذي اعتبر نفسه امتداد لمحرر امريكا اللاتينية الأسطوري سيمون دي بوليفار وتلميذ فيدل كاسترو, حكم فنزويلا ما يقارب 14 عاماً حتي وفاته بالسرطان، عاش عمره كله محارباً في سبيل افكاره وانحيازه للطبقة التي نشأ منها، نجح كثيراً وفشل أحياناً لكنه بلا شك حاكم وثائر أستثنائي.
June 2, 2023
What a tale, what a man, what a legacy that he left behind. The fact that a man who was raised by his grandmother and born in a mudhut was able to rise to power and revolutionize Venezuela is truly the stuff of legend.
It’s mind-boggling to believe that the reason he joined the army in the first place was simply to be noticed by baseball talent recruiters. But it was the people he met, the literature he read, and the injustice that he witnessed during his time in the army which inspired him to become a revolutionary.
It’s that type of indignation in the face of oppression and willingness to act against all odds which separates giants from men.
Chavez was able to wrest back to the people the control of a country which had previously been dominated by an elite 5%. Their immense corruption was what had left Venezuela in a state of great poverty and despair for the greater part of the 20th century.
It was Chavez’s philosophy that cooperation was to be fostered over competition which was what led to Venezuela’s economic boom and slashing off its poverty rate. Not only that, but the programs and financial aid which he distributed not only around South America but the world was what made him a humanitarian in the purest sense of the word.
The story of this man’s rise to power regardless of the trials and tribulations he endured is an inspiring and incredible one. At times it was nothing but the faith of his compatriots in him and his own faith in God which kept him going in his journey to restore the people of Venezuela to greatness.
In the post-Chavez era, Venezuela is suffering yet again as a result of the cruel & inhumane sanctions that have been imposed on it but that doesn’t take away from any of Chavez’s accomplishments. No, nor does it change the fact that Chavez was able to lift up the majority brown-skinned population of Venezuela for the first time since before the Bolivarian revolution of centuries prior. May the spirit of the eternal Bolivarian remain a beacon of hope for millions as Venezuela makes its gradual, grueling yet inevitable return to prosperity.
Viva Chavez!
It’s mind-boggling to believe that the reason he joined the army in the first place was simply to be noticed by baseball talent recruiters. But it was the people he met, the literature he read, and the injustice that he witnessed during his time in the army which inspired him to become a revolutionary.
It’s that type of indignation in the face of oppression and willingness to act against all odds which separates giants from men.
Chavez was able to wrest back to the people the control of a country which had previously been dominated by an elite 5%. Their immense corruption was what had left Venezuela in a state of great poverty and despair for the greater part of the 20th century.
It was Chavez’s philosophy that cooperation was to be fostered over competition which was what led to Venezuela’s economic boom and slashing off its poverty rate. Not only that, but the programs and financial aid which he distributed not only around South America but the world was what made him a humanitarian in the purest sense of the word.
The story of this man’s rise to power regardless of the trials and tribulations he endured is an inspiring and incredible one. At times it was nothing but the faith of his compatriots in him and his own faith in God which kept him going in his journey to restore the people of Venezuela to greatness.
In the post-Chavez era, Venezuela is suffering yet again as a result of the cruel & inhumane sanctions that have been imposed on it but that doesn’t take away from any of Chavez’s accomplishments. No, nor does it change the fact that Chavez was able to lift up the majority brown-skinned population of Venezuela for the first time since before the Bolivarian revolution of centuries prior. May the spirit of the eternal Bolivarian remain a beacon of hope for millions as Venezuela makes its gradual, grueling yet inevitable return to prosperity.
Viva Chavez!
September 10, 2022
An excellent account of a leader who didn't know how to quit. Always on the brink of collapse, he pursued his vision of establishing a Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela until his death.He had to make a lot of sacrifices and endure a barrage of criticism in order to achieve his goal of founding a socialist nation, but he persisted.
The author's research is based on first-hand knowledge gained through the conversations he had with Chavez.His most notable accomplishment was seizing control of the oil firms in his nation and using the profits to raise the standard of living for the underprivileged.His social reforms deserve praise, especially the good ones that led to improvements in health care & education.
He was unduly criticized for leading a dictator like government. He was punished for making efforts for a cohesive Latin America and being critical of US foreign policies. A thorough enjoyable read on one of the most enigmatic persona of the recent times.
The author's research is based on first-hand knowledge gained through the conversations he had with Chavez.His most notable accomplishment was seizing control of the oil firms in his nation and using the profits to raise the standard of living for the underprivileged.His social reforms deserve praise, especially the good ones that led to improvements in health care & education.
He was unduly criticized for leading a dictator like government. He was punished for making efforts for a cohesive Latin America and being critical of US foreign policies. A thorough enjoyable read on one of the most enigmatic persona of the recent times.
March 20, 2017
Concise biography that covers Chavez's life and politics up to 2007. The author is kind to Chavismo and more or less admits to admiring Chavez, but does a good job of consistently presenting the arguments and opinions of chavismo's opponents at every turn. This is a good book to learn about the origin of the 'pink tide' in Latin America, both its history and its social-political goals, for readers that are not hostile to that movement.
October 24, 2022
Excellent treatment of a great man.
February 4, 2024
Highly readable journalistic account of Hugo Chavez's life and rise to power. Pretty sympathetic to Chavez, in a good way.
November 3, 2015
Resumo do livro: Chavez foi o mais puro e ilustrado democrata desde a Grécia Antiga!! Um visionário incompreendido pelos seus contemporâneos que, apesar de tudo, continuou a tratá-los com justiça e fair-play. Foi também um excelente rebatedor que fazia no mínimo um home-run por jogo, mesmo quando fora de forma e atarefado na construção de um oásis de democracia e transparência na América Latina. Há!! Ia me esquecendo: os seus adversários na Venezuela, bem como o primeiro, segundo e terceiro escalão do Governo Norte-Americano são bobos, feios e chatos!!!
July 14, 2016
Because of the negative way that international media usually depicted Hugo Chavez, with uninformative pieces of unusual incidents, I always felt curious about knowing more about the "real" Hugo.
While planning to travel in South American countries, I also wanted to learn more about it's history.
This book answered both requests. It provides a nice historical background to South America and shows us the real Hugo, with is virtuousness and faultiness, in a very balanced and imparcial way.
And the writing/reading is very pleasant and never dull.
While planning to travel in South American countries, I also wanted to learn more about it's history.
This book answered both requests. It provides a nice historical background to South America and shows us the real Hugo, with is virtuousness and faultiness, in a very balanced and imparcial way.
And the writing/reading is very pleasant and never dull.
October 29, 2009
In my opinion an excellent book. Written in such a way that it reinforces my stereotypes of Chavez and introduces a whole lot more information about him and the Bolivarian movement.
Chavez comes out reasonably well, the Us funded opposition movement come out badly, as does the US with ample evidence that they just can't leave alone.
Some good ideas from the Venezuelan experience that should come in handy for a re-invigorated left in the West.
Chavez comes out reasonably well, the Us funded opposition movement come out badly, as does the US with ample evidence that they just can't leave alone.
Some good ideas from the Venezuelan experience that should come in handy for a re-invigorated left in the West.
November 22, 2011
Shows in great detail the increasing radicalization of Hugo Chavez in response to coups and imperialist aggression. The best of the several Chavez biographies in English. Jones also covers elements of Chavez's personal life which were less known, like his affair with an early co-conspirator. A great read.
January 10, 2008
This book offers an array of points of views on the programs and changes that have made up the Venezuelan revolution. Easy to read and a fascinating study of what may be the most far reaching revolution of our time.
March 8, 2008
This was a good biography of the Venezuelan President. However, it is VERY pro-Chavez. You need to read this book critically because the author does not give proper credit to the anti-chavez movement. After reading this book, I now understand the situation a little better.
April 25, 2009
Interesting for what it was but a little repetitive. It focuses too much on the pro-Chavez/anti-Chavez power struggle and glosses over how his policies actually affected normal citizens. I know it's a biography but I was hoping for more of an analysis of Venezuela as a whole.
March 27, 2008
Great biography. Miraculously by an AP reporter...
October 27, 2008
Hugo Chavez is not the devil incarnate as portrayed in the American Press. He is a hero to his countrymen, especially the underprivileged.
September 1, 2009
Another charismatic leader who appealed to the poor and destitute.
April 11, 2012
Fantastic book and gives some counter to the vile, right-wing tosh that the American media releases as so called "news".
September 21, 2013
Didn't get to the end
November 11, 2014
Very informative.
June 9, 2015
It is one of the best Chavez books I've read because it tried to give both the positive and negative side of the whole story. Good read.
January 19, 2025
A very one sided account that worships Chavez
August 13, 2010
Very comprehensive and readable history of a legend!!
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December 6, 2012opkop
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews