Hugo Chávez: Oil, Politics, and the Challenge to the U.S.

by Nikolas Kozloff

This is the riveting and frightening story of ambitious, tempestuous and avowed anti-American Hugo Chávez, who is making waves through South America and being widely compared to Fidel Castro. Ex-paratrooper, outspoken socialist, and brash personality, Chávez is known for his stance against big business, fearless threats to the Bush administration, social reforms that have violently polarized his country, and claims that he will soon unite South America. As gas prices rise to unprecedented highs, Venezuela's importance surges as the fifth largest oil exporter in the world. Nikolas Kozloff's access to top advisors, members of the opposition, and leaders of Chávez's own political movement allow him to present a comprehensive portrait of Chávez as he runs for re-election and moves into the global spotlight.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kat Lynch]

Very well-researched, and interesting detail about Chavez's allies. But I prefer biographies that stick to a more orderly chronology.

[Lorena]

Kozloff offers facts. He challenges the demonized caricature that has been created of this man. It's history in a bit more than 200 pages. If you're looking for a book that further demonizes Chavez, this is not the book for you.

[C.]

I learned a lot about the recent history of South America, Chavez is really pulling the folks together.

You can't argue with the initiatives, but perhaps some of the methods and retoric.

[Geo]

i've only read bits because it's so crap it's not worth finishing. manages to be self-serving and boring at the same time. and kozloff doesn't know his shit, either.

[Tyler]

Not as deep or informative as a book on the subject should be. The glossary was almost as long as the book, and the book was no more than 120 pages.