Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
34(34%)
4 stars
39(39%)
3 stars
27(27%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 14,2025
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Che Guevara's biography is absurdly long and detailed.

It is filled with bazillions of pictures that vividly capture different moments of his life.

There are also numerous little tidbits and anecdotes. If you have any interest in the Cuban Revolution or Che's other attempts to spark revolutions, you simply can't pass up these details.

His story is a tragic one. Despite the man's faults and shortcomings, or perhaps because of them, it still manages to give hope.

It shows that even in the face of great difficulties and setbacks, one can strive for a better world.

Che Guevara's life and actions continue to inspire people around the world to fight for justice and equality.

His story serves as a reminder that the pursuit of a revolutionary cause is not without sacrifices, but it can also lead to positive change.

Overall, his biography is a fascinating and thought-provoking read that offers valuable insights into a complex and influential figure.
July 14,2025
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Speechless!

I am truly glad that I had the opportunity to read this book. It has left such a profound impact on me that I know I will re-read it again and again.

This book is simply one that you can never get enough of. Its pages are filled with captivating stories, thought-provoking ideas, and characters that come alive in your imagination.

Every time I pick it up, I discover something new and exciting. It's like embarking on a journey that never gets old.

The author's writing style is engaging and immersive, drawing you in from the very first sentence and keeping you hooked until the very end.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read and is looking for a truly unforgettable experience. You won't be disappointed!
July 14,2025
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Anderson's meticulous attention to details and his remarkable investigative journalism skills have converged to create a text that is both dense and highly informative.

On the positive side, the book benefits from a wide variety of source materials, which enriches the narrative and provides a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. Additionally, Anderson offers thorough explanations of events from multiple angles, allowing readers to gain a more nuanced perspective. His holistic look at Che's life is also a notable strength, as it presents a well-rounded portrait of the iconic figure.

However, there are also some drawbacks. The text can be extremely dense, making it a challenging read for some. Moreover, the photos could have been better distributed throughout the book rather than being clustered into just two sections. This would have enhanced the visual appeal and made the reading experience more engaging. Overall, while the book has its flaws, it remains a valuable contribution to the literature on Che Guevara.
July 14,2025
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Jon Anderson's superb biography of Ernesto "Che" Guevara is truly a remarkable work. It will surely endure as a seminal study, not only of Guevara himself but also of the Cuban revolution up until Che's tragic death in 1967. This classic narrative biography, while not the very first to explore Che's life and times, holds a significant place. When it was published in 1997, it came at the end of a long line of works by both popular and academic researchers.

The bibliography that Anderson includes at the end of his text merely highlights a fraction of the studies that were available at that time. What Anderson accomplished was to summarize the major conclusions from that extensive bibliography and then supplement it with new and collaborating information. He achieved this through an almost exhaustive number of personal interviews, as well as unpublished diaries and other written records.

As a comprehensive synthesis and informed analysis of Che's life, this biography will not be easily replaced in the near future. Instead, it will serve as a foundation upon which new details can be added, and further creative synthesis and analysis can be built. It stands as a testament to Anderson's meticulous research and his ability to present a vivid and accurate portrayal of Che Guevara and his impact on history.
July 14,2025
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The Biggest Lies Your Parents Tell You When You're Young

When you're young, your parents often say things that might seem a bit strange or even untrue. One of the lies they tell is, "You're a lefty now but wait until you have to pay your own taxes." This statement might make you wonder what being a lefty has to do with paying taxes. But as you grow older, you realize that it's just a humorous way for your parents to make a point about the responsibilities that come with adulthood.



Another lie your parents might tell is, "You think Che Guevara is so cool but wait until you actually hear about his life." Che Guevara is often idolized by young people for his revolutionary image. However, your parents might be trying to caution you that there's more to his story than meets the eye. They want you to understand that being cool isn't just about looking the part, but also about having a deep understanding of the person and their actions.



These lies might seem harmless when you're young, but they can actually have a lasting impact on your perception of the world. They teach you to question everything and not to take things at face value. So the next time your parents tell you a lie, don't be too quick to dismiss it. Instead, take a moment to think about what they might really be trying to say.

July 14,2025
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Che Guevara is a complex figure. On one hand, his capital punishment of untried political prisoners is indeed a matter of criticism. Such actions go against the principles of justice and due process. On the other hand, his love for freedom cannot be ignored. He fought for what he believed in, which is a quality that many people admire.


This balanced view is very factual and does not glorify or bash Che. It is ideal for getting young people to think about this icon based on real events, rather than the glamorized versions that are often presented. The movie that came out last year was based on this more accurate portrayal, but the book is even better. It provides more in-depth analysis and details, allowing readers to form their own opinions about Che Guevara.


By presenting both the good and the bad aspects of Che's life and actions, we can have a more comprehensive understanding of this important historical figure. This will help us to make more informed judgments and decisions in our own lives.

July 14,2025
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This is pretty much as comprehensive a book on Che Guevara that we'll ever see.

Ever since watching "The Motorcycle Diaries", which is a favorite among radical left-wing students, and reading bits and bobs about Guevara online, as well as seeing the odd documentary over the years, I have always been interested in learning more about him.

However, when reading any biography, I always struggle to find parts that I find less interesting, and this book is no exception. That's why I gave it four stars. Additionally, I much prefer memoirs and autobiographies.

Nevertheless, Mr. Anderson deserves a great deal of credit. The passion he put into this book was undoubtedly immense. He has managed to bring Che Guevara to life on the pages, presenting a detailed and engaging account of his life and times.

Despite my personal preferences, I have to admit that this is a well-written and well-researched book that will appeal to anyone interested in Che Guevara or the history of the revolutionary movement. It provides a valuable insight into the man and his ideals, and is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the impact he had on the world.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a comprehensive and engaging biography of Che Guevara. It may not be perfect, but it is certainly one of the best books on the subject that I have read.
July 14,2025
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I once knew a woman on the left.

She pointed at a photograph of Che' Guevara in her home and yelled out to the rest of us, "Those eyes! Those are bedroom eyes!"

Guevara was an unoriginal thinker. His manual GUERILLA WARFARE, LA GUERRA DE GUERRILLA shows this.

He was also a failed revolutionary. His attempts in Congo and Bolivia were not successful.

Nevertheless, he continues to fascinate the world. Why?

It's not because of ethics or politics but aesthetics. He looked like a Hollywood revolutionary.

This biography, which was released during the Guevara-mania of the 1990s, is exhaustive.

However, it fails to make the case that Che' is our contemporary, as opposed to just a love object.

Perhaps people are more drawn to his image than his ideas or actions.

But this doesn't change the fact that he had a significant impact on the world, even if it's more in the realm of popular culture than in actual revolution.

We should look beyond the surface and truly understand who Che' Guevara was and what he stood for.

Only then can we make a more informed judgment about his place in history.
July 14,2025
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I have seen numerous T-shirts during my college days with the face of Che Guevera on them. I was constantly curious about what he signified and who he truly was. I also watched a documentary that detailed how Che was captured and executed in Bolivia.


This book provides a detailed account of Che's journey, from growing up in a bohemian family and being attracted to the revolutionary cause from a young age, to meeting Castro and getting involved in the Cuban revolution.


It also explains that for a revolution to succeed, you need not only a person with a revolutionary cause like Che but also someone practical like Castro. After reading the book, I analyzed that the Cuban revolution was successful because Castro was shrewd in making deals with different factions in Cuba and uniting them.


Moreover, the most crucial aspect for the Cuban revolution was that they received the support of the locals, which ensured the availability of distribution channels for food and arms. Additionally, Castro did not initially identify as a communist, but once he came to power and started receiving support from the USSR, he shifted his ideology.


The practicality of Castro and the single-mindedness of Che played a significant role in overthrowing the corrupt regime in Cuba.


The book delves into these details, but when Che attempted to replicate the same in various continents like Africa or Latin America, he did not receive a favorable response. He was too focused on his ideals and refused to give up, which ultimately led to his downfall.


However, the biggest issue I had with this biography was that I had to refer to the notes section numerous times to understand the context of a particular incident. There were also so many names involved that I often lost track of who was who.


All in all, it is a good book and definitely worth a one-time read for those who want to gain more context about Che.
July 14,2025
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**The Definitive Biography of Che**

It was the first biography I read in my life. During some years of my adolescence, I was fascinated by the figure of Che Guevara, and Anderson's book then served to nourish my devotion. Later, it was also the basis from which I began to question and reexamine my interpretations of this historical character. The fact that the book served me to travel both paths shows the fairness with which Anderson treated his subject, no less admirable than the enormous research work he carried out.


Despite my disenchantment with his person, and especially with his political ideas, I still believe that Che was an extraordinary man. Che always knew how to be the protagonist of his own life. He had an exaggerated and paradoxical - given his political orientation - sense of individuality, and almost always did what he pleased without caring much about others, understanding by this word the specific people who were part of his life, rather than the abstract masses of workers and oppressed. Marxism can justify anything; even, in his case, detachment.


Perhaps he was not a good type to have as a friend, and much less as a leader, but who could deny that he was good material for the legend.

July 14,2025
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“Shoot, coward, you are only going to kill a man.” - Che Guevara


I embarked on reading this book with a strong desire to gain a deeper understanding of the iconic figure whose face has adorned countless posters and shirts. Additionally, I was eager to learn more about the Cuban Revolution. As I delved into the pages, it quickly became evident that this was not just any ordinary book. It was an essential read that provided a profound insight into a man who was both deeply compassionate and coldly analytical. Che Guevara fully embodied the spirit of the revolution, and his unwavering idealism led him to ultimately give his life for a cause he believed in with all his heart. This book offered a captivating exploration of his life, his beliefs, and the events that shaped him into the revolutionary icon he is remembered as today.
July 14,2025
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If I could bestow eleven stars upon this biography, I most certainly would.

By a wide margin, it is the finest biography I have ever perused, and I have delved into some truly remarkable ones, encompassing those of Picasso, Hemingway, and Orson Welles.

Jon Lee Anderson accomplishes a superb feat in breathing life into Che, the individual, through his in-depth and hands-on research.

Although I completed reading this book last week, I have been incapable of commencing another, instead repeatedly rereading chapters and jotting down notes in an attempt to pen a review befitting this man and his astonishing life.

As a Latin American myself, I have always held Ernesto "Che" Guevara in high regard and fancied that I knew just about everything there was to know about him. However, Anderson has convincingly proven me wrong.

I don't believe that anyone can truly penetrate the mind of this great revolutionary; he was a person of truly remarkable complexity.

The fact that he abandoned his life as a medical doctor in Argentina and the comfortable existence to become a guerrilla fighter speaks volumes about his personality and psyche.

One thing he most definitely was not was a hypocrite.

All who encountered him, including those who loathed him, feared him, and even his assassin, all voiced the same sentiment: in his presence, you experienced awe, admiration, dignity, honesty, and a genuine sense of obligation for what he believed was just and fair.

Anderson was as impartial a writer as one could hope for, yet he does expose the culpability of America and the CIA in Che's ascent, downfall, and his cult status.

For them, he was public enemy number one, and they would not desist until they had murdered him. And, ironically, by doing so, they contributed to the creation of his mythical status.

Irrespective of where you stand on the political spectrum, I wholeheartedly recommend this, for you will emerge with a newfound respect for the hardships and dedication requisite to be a true warrior.

Che never aspired to be a hero or to set himself apart from others, but his intellectual brilliance in revolutionary warfare rendered him the perfect icon for revolution everywhere! Viva Che!!!
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