Che Guevara And The Cuban Revolution

by Mike Gonzalez

Οι εργάτες και οι αγρότες στη Βραζιλία, στην Αργεντινή, στη Βενεζουέλα, όταν βγαίνουν στους δρόμους σήμερα κρατούν στα χέρια τους πλακάτ με τη φωτογραφία του Τσε Γκεβάρα. Η εικόνα του Τσε είναι παρούσα σε κάθε αντιπολεμική και αντικαπιταλιστική κινητοποίηση - στις σημαίες, τα μαντήλια και τις μπλούζες των διαδηλωτών στο Σιάτλ και τη Νέα Υόρκη, το Λονδίνο και τη Γένοβα, την Αθήνα και τη Βηρυτό, την Τζακάρτα και τη Σεούλ.

Αυτή η νέα γενιά ακτιβιστών, ξέρει πολύ λίγα για τον Τσε. Αλλά αναγνωρίζει αμέσως στην φιγούρα αυτού του προσώπου με τον μπερέ και τα αραιά γένια, μια συμβολική δύναμη. Τη δύναμη της εξέγερσης ενάντια στο σύστημα του πολέμου, του ρατσισμού, της εκμετάλλευσης.

Ποιος ήταν ο Τσε; Το βιβλίο του Μάικ Γκονζάλες είναι μια πολιτική βιογραφία του Γκεβάρα και μια ιστορία της κουβανέζικης επανάστασης, με την οποία ταυτίστηκε. Απαλλαγμένο από αγιογραφίες και ύμνους, επιχειρεί να αναλύσει την πορεία του επαναστάτη αντάρτη, την προσφορά του, αλλά και τις βαθύτερες αιτίες και τα λάθη που οδήγησαν στην αποτυχία και το τραγικό του τέλος στα βουνά της Βολιβίας.

Ο Τσε είναι σύμβολο ασυμβίβαστης σύγκρουσης με τον ιμπεριαλισμό, ηρωικής επαναστατικής αυτοθυσίας, αγνής αφοσίωσης στον στόχο της αλλαγής. Όμως ο κόσμος δεν αλλάζει από ήρωες, αλλά από απλούς ανθρώπους που χρειάζονται τα διδάγματα από την εμπειρία του παρελθόντος - και τα θετικά και τ' αρνητικά. Και η ιστορία του Τσε έχει να δώσει πολλά τέτοια διδάγματα. Στο κάτω κάτω, η εικόνα του δεν ανήκει σε κανένα κράτος, αλλά στα εκατομμύρια των νέων ανθρώπων του αντιπολεμικού και αντικαπιταλιστικού κινήματος που παλεύουν, όπως εκείνος, για "έναν άλλο κόσμο που είναι εφικτός".

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Biography, History

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Zoe Laplaud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although Gonzalez presents a clear narrative and correctly highlights many tactical and theoretical failures of the Cuban revolution and her key figures, the underlying current of disdain for Che and Castro not only cloud his account and weaken his critiques but also diminish the key role played by workers not only in the initial struggle but also in subsequent strikes and actions that led to the transformation of the economy, which you would expect him to acknowledge especially in light of his rightful emphasis on workers self-emancipation.

[Viktor Lilja · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Condemn me. It doesn’t matter. History will absolve me.”

3.5/5

(I wanted to write a review about this book as I've learnt a lot but I have given the book back and I found it really hard referencing to the book correctly without having the book in front of me.)

anyways, very interesting book if you want to gain an objective perspective about not only Che Guevara and the Cuban revolution but also South American history during Che Guevara's time alive as a whole.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read (as most SWP books) - mostly superficial (main things missing for context: international and financial situation).

No detailed discussion on the political programmes (only mentioned in passing along the main story). No clear presentation of the alternative.

[elemsr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Κατανοητό και ενημερωτικό.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gonzales paints a detailed and yet comprehensible portrait of the world's greatest Marxist revolutionary, and the trials that made his name.

For all those who idolise the great man, but lack knowledge of his life, this book is perfect to inform you of his beliefs, his achievements and his shortcomings.

From the asthmatic rugby player in Peron's Argentina, to the revolutionary doctor in Arbenz's Guatemala, the magnificent Comandante in Castro's Cuba and finally the martyred hero in Bolivia, the life of Ernesto "Che" Guevara de la Serna was one of great change, and even greater influence upon the shaping of today's world. In the height of the Cold War, the actions of one man could mean everything.

Read this book if you wish to learn more about the conflicts in the life of El Che - both moral and physical. Read this book if you wish to learn more about his journey from politically uneducated student to dogmatic Marxist advocate. Read this book if you wish to understand what drove the man to give his life for his noble cause.

Read this book if you revere Che Guevara.

[Christos Fotiadis · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book of such volume, Mike Gonzalez gives a comprenhensive point og view of the Cuba's revolution. Although, it's unavoidable that the writer is biased, he isn't afraid to show the weaknesses. the errors and wrong decisions of one of the greatest rebels of the 20th century. Furthermore, he gives an image of the prevailing political and social climate of those years and tries, successfully, on my opinion, to reveal the true motives of the people in power of the nations involved.

In conclusion, although at first, I thought it would be just another fast reading book about Che, just to sell some copies, it turned out to be one of the most useful books I've read about Cuba and Guevara. In any case, it's a great start if someone wants to learn about Commandante and his legend.

[Geoff Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Che Guevara and the Cuban Revolution” is a very accessible and very instructive read. Compared to many political books, this is aided in readability by having compelling individuals at its centre, and in instructiveness by its far reaching political analysis.

For a few years now I’ve been curious about the Cuban revolution and its aftermath, and reports of the great healthcare system and successes in education, in particular, literacy rates much higher than those of capitalist neighbour USA.

Lefties – actually probably especially one particular lefty – in my local Labour Party and Momentum group came back from their visit enthused by the experience. Should they have been? Has Cuba achieved the socialist / communist society desired?

This book does not really aim to provide direct answers to those questions. It’s a chronological account of the life of Che Guevara, concentrating especially on his later political life. Author Mike Gonzalez provides the history of Che Guevara and the political perspective to understand this iconic revolutionary. There is also important discussion of the links to Communist Parties, Soviet, Chinese and more local.

The key take away for me – ALERT: likely a spoiler – is the analysis of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro’s linked but distinct revolutionary strategies, which diverge significantly from those of Marx, Lenin and others.

Marx advocates self-emancipation by the working class themselves, acting collectively, en masse. Lenin brings in the importance of the party, a cadre of revolutionaries well versed in theory to advise on best practice or strategy. Guevara, by contrast, develops a revolutionary approach based on military coup by relatively small groups of revolutionaries, fighting a guerilla war, with liberation of the working class occurring subsequently.

There is a huge disparity between these two approaches, with Marx advocating revolution “from below”, as occurred in Russia in 1917, and Guevara choosing revolution “from above”, as occurred in Cuba in 1959. Whatever the truth of the current nature of the Cuban state (socialist or “state capitalist” or other) under Fidel Castro, given its longevity, it might appear that Guevara’s approach is more successful.

Not so fast! Gonzalez argues that Guevara and Castro were extremely lucky to have succeeded in their Cuban coup, and highlights how, similar efforts elsewhere in the region and further abroad were not so successful. A case in point is Bolivia, where Guevara’s lack of interest in organising with or even merely in the vicinity of the existing militant working class base led to disastrous results.

[Oliver Greenway · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 A really interesting and objective insight into the life of a brilliant man, who put his own health and life aside so that generations could live a better life. A very inspiring character, and it is clear why pictures of him are still used today. So hot too

[Louis Marshfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most factual account of Che and the Cuban revolution, read in two sittings.

[Jake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating (if rather biased) and simplified book regarding Che Guevara. Good for someone like me who finds history books that are 500+ pages very daunting. Enjoyed it, and found some great quotes, insights and further reading on Marxism and Cuba in the 20th century. Would recommend to those of a Left persuasion like me, but those to the Right may find it's message to be too subjective or 'preachy' compared to an objective history book.
Also it's actually more around 168 pages long.

[Mo Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Author is way too dogmatic. Acts as if he knows more about the material conditions than the Cuban communists did, and is determined to let you know exactly what he thinks. Attempts to leave no space for interpretation, yet it's pretty clear if you've read other accounts of new Cuban history that his interpretations are idealistic.

[Titus Hjelm · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you felt (like I did) that Anderson's magnum opus was thin on the Marxism of Che, this is the perfect remedy. A brief outline of Che's life with a focus on the understanding--or, rather, misunderstanding--of revolutionary socialism by the icon. Good read.

[Martin Empson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review on Resolute Reader

[Stevie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent book, definitely an interesting one but perhaps a little short.

[maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introductory book, enjoyable and informative.