I rarely bestow those 5 stars. However, after much profound reflection, I have determined that this particular one merits it.

The author endeavors to present as balanced an account as humanly possible regarding a man as intricate as Che. The research endeavors invested in this are truly colossal, and it manifests in the minutiae.

What holds significance for me is that Anderson reveals both facets of the man. His otherworldly impetus for justice and solidarity, yet also his cold-blooded ruthlessness and fixation on discipline. I firmly assert that he is one of the most astute men of his era. Nevertheless, he also serves as a prime example of what can transpire when a great intellect allows his emotions to commandeer almost constantly.

Subsequent to perusing this book, it becomes evident that Che was and remains misconstrued by a vast multitude of individuals. In the final analysis, he was a flawed individual who believed that what he was engaged in was for the betterment of the impoverished and the oppressed. He was convinced that it was worthy to sacrifice his own comfort and ultimately, his very life. I can only revere him for that. I confess that I attempt to overlook his darker side to a certain extent in order to permit him to shine just adequately.

And might I add...this book alters the way I perceive things.

This is a review of a certain piece of writing.

The review starts by giving a rating of 3.5 out of 5, indicating that it is a great read overall. The author commends the incredible research and story telling present in the work.

However, there is a drawback mentioned. The long lists of names and places in the text often make the reading experience feel bogged down and overwhelming.

Despite this flaw, the review still acknowledges the value of the research and story telling. It seems that the excessive details in the form of names and places might have detracted a bit from the overall enjoyment but not enough to completely overshadow the positive aspects.

Perhaps the author could have found a better way to present the information without overwhelming the reader with long lists.

Overall, it is a mixed review with both praise and criticism.

“So you liked my book, eh Comrade Norteamericano?”

“Indeed, very much. One of the finest biographies I've ever read.”

“This fellow, Anderson, did a fair job... posthumously.”

“Yes, certainly.”

“So you'll be reviewing it?”

“Well, not really. Maybe a little.”

“Not worth the time?”

“It's not that. Not that at all. It's very much worthy of a fulsome praiseworthy review, but, well... I don't suppose you know much about Amazon then, Comrade Guevara?”

“Call me Che.”

“Che. Yeah, well it's a big US capitalist enterprise with a Capital C, and they own Goodreads. They're pretty exploitative and brutal and anti-labor union. Any time I write a review, they can content-farm my unpaid labor to sell more books and make more billions for an already over-bloated obscene capitalist who goes by the initials J.B. I know this because I've seen my reviews quoted on here to sell more books to enrich that enterprise without my approval.”

“Content farm?”

“How can I put it in terms you're familiar with? Land serfdom, of a sort. It's like exploiting agricultural workers for no wages and making it hard for them to take bathroom breaks. You know, the usual BS.”

“Ah. Yes, I see. I can understand why you wouldn't want to contribute to that.”

“That said, yeah, the book is amazing. Fair and balanced. It shows you warts and all and what motivated you. Incredibly deep dive into your family history and the complex vagaries of world politics. But, ya know, if I write more it might start to constitute free content for a scummy mega corporation.”

“I see what you did there. Write a review that they can't possibly use for their own ends.”

“Exactly. Oh, by the way, you know this billionaire sells T-shirts and coffee mugs with your image on them to lefty larpers to make himself even more greenbacks, right?”

“I must rise from the grave and finish my work.”

c. 2024 Evan G

Post-script: Winner of Evan's Silver Holy Grail reading award, 2024.

I was really sad because I had a strong desire to learn about Che Guevara's life and understand why he has become such an iconic figure. However, this book I picked up was a huge disappointment.

Firstly, it was way too big and heavy, making it completely impractical for reading during rush-hour subway rides. I had hoped to make use of that time to gain some insights into Che Guevara's story, but the physicality of the book made it impossible.

Secondly, the content itself was really stale and boring. It felt more like reading a dry book report on someone's life rather than an engaging and captivating account. It simply listed Ernesto's actions one after another in a monotonous way: Ernesto did this, then he did this, then he did that... blah blah blah. There was no real depth or emotion, and it failed to bring Che Guevara's life and spirit to life.

I was truly let down by this book and now I'm left wondering if there's a better resource out there that can provide a more interesting and informative look at the life of Che Guevara.

I initially picked up this book intermittently. However, starting in December, I made up my mind to plow through the entire thing.

It presents an incredibly captivating story of a man whom the majority of the world is acquainted with only through a single picture. After delving into this book, there is truly very little more research on Che that is necessary.

It reveals to the readers his thoughts, desires, and his unwavering belief in the ultimate success of Communism. Although I don't necessarily consider Che a man worthy of admiration, he led a life distinct from that of many others, and his life indeed merits study.

Anderson skillfully描绘s for us not only a portrait of Che but also the entire world of that time, which is fascinating for those, like myself, who had little knowledge about the intricacies of Latin America during this era.

Undoubtedly, this book is a bit of a slog, but I highly recommend it.

This 700+ page biography of Che Guevara is truly definitive. As I delved into its pages, it felt as if I was reliving my Rizal course in college.

The story comprehensively covers all the years and phases of Che's life. From being an asthmatic child playing with his small group of friends, to a teenager traversing the Argentine countryside on his bicycle, experiencing unrequited first love, having funny moments as a medical student, and finally, leading the life of a communist revolutionary.

When I picked up the book last December, I was motivated by my childhood curiosity about the man whose image I had seen on countless cool t-shirts. A few years ago, I had bought and watched some parts of the movie Motorcycle Diaries, not realizing it was about the teenage Che Guevara. After reading this novel, I believe I now know all there is to know about him, thanks to Jon Lee Anderson's well-researched work. I eagerly look forward to reading his other books, such as the one about the Fall of Baghdad that he wrote just a few years ago.

Do I like Che Guevara as a person? Absolutely yes. He firmly stood for what he believed was right. Did I believe he was right? Well, had I read this before the fall of the Berlin Wall or the disintegration of the USSR, perhaps my answer would have been an emphatic yes.

As an asthmatic child, he spent much of his time reading, and the fact that the Guevara home was filled with books (to the extent that there were no chairs left for guests to sit on) supported his passion for reading. Philosophy and literature, including poetry, were his greatest interests, broadening his thinking and developing his critical reasoning. His travels in the countryside opened his eyes to the injustices faced by the marginalized in Argentina.

With Fidel Castro by his side, he achieved success in Cuba but met with failure in Argentina, Honduras, and Bolivia, ultimately leading to his death on October 9, 1967 (I was only 4 years old at that time).

I don't claim that his life was a waste. He was able to serve the poor as a doctor in the mountains and train and instill in the minds of many young men and women in those countries the true meaning of love for one's country. However, now that the Lenin-Marx models have been proven less effective, I have a second thought about his short life (he died at the age of 39). He could have perhaps achieved more as an allergy scientist.

On the other hand, with his image still being printed on shirts and worn by young people even 40 years after his death, isn't that achievement enough?

"Ser como El che!"

To be like El Che! This phrase holds a certain allure and inspiration. El Che, Ernesto Che Guevara, was a revolutionary icon. His spirit of反抗 and追求justice inspired countless people around the world.

Being like El Che means having the courage to stand up for what one believes in, even in the face of great adversity. It means being willing to sacrifice for a greater cause and to fight for the rights and freedoms of others.

El Che's example also shows the importance of having a vision and working towards it with determination. He was not afraid to take risks and to try new things in order to achieve his goals.

In today's world, we can all learn from El Che's example and strive to be better people. We can work towards creating a more just and equal society, and we can be inspired by his spirit of反抗 and追求to make a positive difference in the world.

So, let us all strive to be like El Che and make a positive impact on the world around us.

What can I say about the book?

It is well researched and complete, with a flow similar to that of a novel. However, like many people, I feel that the author seems to have come to view Che as something larger than life. But the stories he told don't describe that at all.

Che was a naive narcissist who took more pride in his personal efforts of sacrifice than in actually accomplishing anything good for anyone in his entire life. The Cuban revolution went from one dictator to another, making the economy far worse and resulting in the complete loss of a free press and free speech. Let's not forget all those pesky murders of those who didn't fit the bill.

Che's ultimate stated goal on multiple occasions was to cause a third world war and a nuclear holocaust and put the world under strongman leadership for their own good. Personally, I think what he really wanted in the end was to rule his home country of Argentina. But he wasn't a soldier or an economist and had no real knowledge of international politics. He was a force of personality and wit.

He couldn't see, or chose to ignore, the immense pain he caused in every life he touched. And if the so-called plebs didn't see that he was "helping" them, they were punished, especially toward the end of the Bolivia campaign. He was a cult leader who, if he had succeeded in Latin America, would be remembered in the same vein as Hitler and Stalin. The reverence people give him is simply stupid.

Left with a deeper impression of a complex man, I find myself comfortable identifying as, ethically or morally, a Guevarist. In the sense that I firmly believe a professional revolutionary must serve as an exemplary figure, always ready to sacrifice everything for the common cause. Revolution should course through every nerve of one's being.

When it comes to the specific strategy of rural guerrilla warfare, I hold a more critical stance. By the time the July 26 Movement initiated their guerrilla activities, they already had a vast and solid national network of support. And yet, even then, the guerrilla war was extremely tough and had an element of novelty. As a Marxist, I comprehend the significance of armed struggle within the revolutionary process. However, I am a staunch believer that the gun cannot substitute for politics.

Che appears to excel in numerous qualities of a revolutionary, with the exception of patience. Patience is just as crucial as daring, as Lenin, among others, understood it.

Che's comprehensive vision made a profound impression on me. He seems to have internalized international revolution in a manner that few revolutionaries do. His intentions in Bolivia were to initiate a universal revolutionary war. He was truly a visionary dreamer.

Los que mueren por la vida no pueden llamarse muertos....

Here comes the Cuban born bookworm.

He is about to leave a passive aggressive review on a biography about someone who has caused mass generational trauma that he was forced head first to live through.

You see, if you haven't realized it yet, he is (probably) a genuine psychopath who searches propaganda fueled books to read.

But wait - he has some positives here!

Hence the lack of 1 star.

He gives 2 stars for the immense detail this book has and for the attempt at being (cue italic font to imply sarcasm) *somewhat* neutral.

One thing he cannot ignorantly claim is that Jon Lee Anderson does not do his research.

Boy - he does.

The bookworm must applaud him for such dedication in not just this book, but many of his books (which unsurprisingly all have similar pro-communist undertones).

Alas, his research is so immense that fellow communist comrades of his leave ONE STAR reviews because it was "too boring" for them.

They want to hear about the ICON that (italic font) was CHE.

They don't want to know about his details and life, they want to read about the (italic) HERO he was in the Communist world.

Do you understand the intelligence one must have to write about a Communist (italic) hero and have comrades complain about the length of the book?

Touché, Anderson.

Now, let's get into the issues - and this applies to most if not all of Jon Lee Andersons books.

Getting first hand accounts for a biography is always wonderful.. unless the first hand accounts are strictly and solely from the same side of a coin.

We don't get a full grip as to who Ernesto really was when the accounts are based on those who saw the good and only the good sides to him.

This book is lengthy, but had these accounts been from the other side of the coin, you know, the girlfriends he violently beat, the children he became a deadbeat to, the shoot outs, the racist slurs he's called those of indigenous lineage and African descended Cubans, the families he jailed for speaking up, the execution shoot outs in Angola and Cuba, his beliefs towards those in the LGBT community and anyone who simply had the unfortunate luck to come across his narcissist, egoist, power hungry psychopathic being, this book would be far more lengthy.

And perhaps, something even Communists would then appreciate to read as it would, in their derange minds, paint Ernesto as the (italic) true hero he was.

Simply put, there is no accuracy in a biography written to demonstrate someones entire life if you only add the good parts and the slightly, superficially imperfect parts.

As a 1 star review put it: the unfortunate truth is this man was one, and still one, to be on the same platform as Mao, Hitler, Staling and other corrupt and deranged dictators.

Ernesto was simply, thankfully, executed before he received the chance.

Simply magnificent. Ernesto "Che" Guevara is truly one of the most remarkable men to have ever walked the face of the Earth. His charisma, ideals, and unwavering commitment to the cause of social justice are truly inspiring. If you don't have an appreciation for him, then perhaps we have nothing in common. Because he is truly amazing. His image has become an iconic symbol, often adorning the walls of college bedrooms around the world. He was the ultimate Marxist revolutionary, a figure who defined the political counter-culture scene. And when he died, it was a moment that brought tears to my eyes. I give props to John Lee Anderson for his excellent work in chronicling Che's life, but mostly, props to Che himself for being so awesome that he could evoke such strong emotions in me. X-)

Wow. I never really knew much about Che, only that he was a revolutionary in Cuba and was good at it. This book, however, is truly in-depth and has amazing access that was apparently never before available.

It intersperses interviews from the late 90's with the people who were Che's close friends and fellow revolutionaries in arms, his ex-wife, and his children. It also contains almost all of his old journals in their unedited form, obtained from his widow.

It was really sad to read the last 50 pages or so (before the epilogue). You know Che is about to die, and all you can do is read the details from the Bolivian army that chased him through the mountains and the CIA operative who had been hunting him.

Then there are Che's journal entries from his final days. Despite being sick and barely able to walk, he remained a staunch revolutionary, talking of hope for the end of United States imperialism in Latin America and the world.

Something that was also quite remarkable was learning that many of the revolutions and insurgencies that occurred in the Americas and Africa in the 60's, 70's, and 80's were connected in some way to the revolutionary movements that Che was working on. The United States' repression and "involvement" in the Latin American theater were a means to isolate Cuba and stop the Che-trained or backed or inspired revolutionary movements.

Jean-Paul Sartre called Che the most complete human being of our age, and he said that after his death. Something that is sad is the commercial exploitation of Che's image. The author states that this took off in the 90's. To me, it is a sad homage to an amazing guerilla warrior. To have his face emblazoned on t-shirts for fashion shows and in college frat houses? Che would be disgusted.