Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life (Revised Edition) Paperback – Illustrated, April 20, 2010

For many years I have wanted to learn more about Che. I have traveled extensively in the Caribbean and I frequently see young people wearing Che t-shirts and see his likeness painted on the sides of buildings. I was curious as to whether or not he is someone to be revered or reviled. What I have heard of him is contradictory. So I wanted to delve into this controversial character's history but, I was concerned about reading just any literature regarding his story given the propensity of writers to cloud the facts with their own idealism. I read many reviews before ordering this book. I was not disappointed. It was an excellent read and I never felt like I was being manipulated by an author with an agenda. I finished the book and was left with the feeling that Che started with pure, selfless motives to help the people around him but eventually dissolved into megalomania. The author did an excellent job of illuminating the history of the region and intertwining the politics and motivations of all the disparate characters involved in Che's life. OVERALL: a good, balanced read.

John Lee Anderson's book is one of the most researched books on Che Guevara you will find anywhere. Although at 800 pages reading the book can look slightly daunting - it is an in-depth study of Che Guevara. The research is all documented in the back of the book. It is almost as fascinating following the research as it is to read the story itself.This follows Che from birth to death and all the bits and pieces in-between. If you are looking for a book that enhances the popular Che of myth and legend this is not the book for you. This is a book of the good and the bad, the right and the wrong and as well balanced as any book could be.It comes down to learning that Che wasn't really a likable person at times - in some ways misguided, arrogant and selfish, -he is also a passionate and idealistic visionary who was dedicated to helping the fight against the injustices of the lives of the `lower-class' citizens of South America -to start with.The author provides an unbiased account of this idolised and basically unknown figure of recent history. He shows the human and humane side as well as the ruthless disciplinarian of the guerrillas, as he aided Fidel Castro in the takeover of Cuba and its almost disastrous change to communism. The insight into the relationship between Fidel and Che is fascinating.Che brought to the forefront the awareness of the poverty and inequality of the people of the world. He was inspired by Marxism and was never swayed from his chosen path.All in all it is a marvellously written book. It leaves it up to the reader to decide whether this man should be loved or hated and regardless of your decision you will have to admit that Che was an extraordinary person. A visionary of his time.

The book is really long, probably too long, but it does a really good job of letting the reader really get to know Che Guevara. The man was a true believer in Communism/Marxism and in toppeling the Imperialistic influence throughout South America... at the cost of alienating his family.

Please note that I'm writing this review after only having completed about one-half of the book, so weight it accordingly.The author clearly is a sympathizer and proponent of Che Guevara and presents his facts in that light, painting Che as a true hero. That said, it's not difficult to see through his obvious bias, as he does present a lot factually-based anecdotal information from which the reader can draw his or her own conclusions.I doubt that anyone who chooses to read this book, or any book about Che's life for that matter, doesn't begin with some predisposition about him as a hero or a cowardly murdering mercenary. I'm finding the author's portrayal of him to be very conflicting in a lot of instances. For example, he's clear in his depiction of Che's intense hatred for the USA because of their "intervention" into Latin America and its politics. And yet that's exactly what Che did in Guatemala, Cuba and other Latin American countries to whom he was just as much an outsider. But apparently his cause is considered by those who support his revolutionary activities as a just means to a noble end. But, conversely, those who saw Communism at that same time as a world-wide threat, and took decisive action to stop those threats, are instead seen as imperialistic meddlers and invaders. It kind of reminds me of those who continue to support Bill Ayers and his so-called counter-culture activities with the Weather Underground, which despite his claims to the contrary, clearly led to the murder of at least one police officer. To them (and to him) I'd ask how is what Bill Ayers did any different than what Charles Manson did (i.e., incite people to go out and murder in the name of some perceived just cause)? Bill Ayers says his cause only promoted property damage activities; it was not about murder. So if you plant an explosive under someone's vehicle to destroy it, and someone happens to get killed in the process, that doesn't count as murder? I don't see what Che did as much different. The end he envisioned, and the cause to reach that end, just didn't justify the means.All of that said, I'm finding the book to be very interesting and very easy reading. It's a tome (over 800 pages) so be prepared to spend a lot of time with it. And it really has given me a much better insight into who Che really was. I'm learning things I never really knew about him. No question, he was an incredible human being, who's heart appeared to be in the right place. He was a true champion for the working-class people, the proletariat as Marx called them. And he was clearly an extremely intelligent person. Perhaps my view of Che will change more in his favor by the time I finish the book. Either way, at this point I'm convinced that anyone who has any strong feelings, one way or the other, about Che Guevara, absolutely should read this book.

Gifted to someone, they love it.