This book was given to me as a gift.

It is an excellent one indeed, as the biography of Ernesto "Che" Guevara (born in Argentina on 6/14/28 and died in Bolivia on 10/9/67) is not only well-researched but also balanced and very well-written.

Even during his lifetime, Che was a cultural icon. However, in this biography, he is presented realistically as the hopeful revolutionary he truly was. Perhaps he was too radical and cosmopolitan to have endured for a long time as a Cuban administrator.

One may not necessarily agree with his politics, but it is extremely difficult not to admire the man's spirit. His unwavering dedication to the cause of revolution and his willingness to sacrifice everything for what he believed in are truly inspiring.

This biography provides a comprehensive and in-depth look at the life and times of one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. It is a must-read for anyone interested in history, politics, or social change.

Magnificent.
The last time I experienced such a profound feeling after finishing a book was when I read Ramachandra Guha's majestic volume, India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest Democracy. Such was the powerful impression it left on me.

A book of this magnitude, considering its size, the wealth of knowledge and information it contains, as well as the inspiration and influence it wields, definitely calls for a comprehensive review. Or perhaps it would be more like my personal notes, documenting my thoughts and reflections as I delved into its pages.

I am currently in the process of formulating my review, which will be coming very soon. I look forward to sharing my insights and analysis of this remarkable work with you all. Stay tuned!

Behind Karl Marx’s “Capital: Volume 1,” this is the longest it took for me to finish a book. John Lee Anderson’s “Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life” was equally one of the easiest and hardest reads for me.

Similarly to Tad Szulc’s portrait of Fidel, which I read about a year and a half ago, Anderson’s portrait of Che remained extremely objective, almost overly detailed, and covered just about every corner of life you could imagine.

Anderson’s style is borderline poetic with his descriptions and context. He beautifully laid out all eras of Che’s life into sections, gradually showing the man he would become.

The focus on the era from 1959 - 1964 was important as it highlighted Che’s character and his ideas as a policy maker. This era also showed where he could be a bit naïve.

People often criticize Che, but I respect him for being true to himself. Anderson didn’t shy away from talking about the harsher aspects of Che’s life, like executions.

Beneath it all, the book gave a good glimpse into the man himself. His childhood, his interactions with family, his discoveries, and his takes on various topics were all covered.

The last 50 or so pages, following Guevara’s Bolivian action, were especially interesting. They showed the shatterpoint of his manifesto and the issues in the socialist world.

Overall, “Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life” is an excellent book. It addressed things the Cuban government may have hidden and analyzed the character, man, and legend all at once. I’m glad I took the time to read it.

I bought this book because I truly had next to no clue about who this guy was. I was aware that he was involved in the Cuban revolution and that his face decorates thousands of T-shirts worldwide, but that was the extent of my knowledge.

What really drove me to finally sit down and read this book was something I witnessed in a Chinese restaurant about two or three months ago. I was seated in the restaurant, patiently waiting for my food when a twelve-year-old child walked in, wearing a Che Guevara shirt. I couldn't help but wonder if the kid had any understanding of the history or what that shirt signified. Was it merely a cool symbol of rebellion to him, as it is to countless others? To me, a kid wearing that shirt seemed disrespectful, in a way. Naive. But these judgments I so easily passed only made me a hypocrite; I myself had no real knowledge.

Jon Lee Anderson's masterpiece takes us on a journey through Che Guevara's adventurous life, from his birth until his death in the Bolivian mountains. Thoroughly researched, the timeline appears to be flawless, as far as I can tell. But what makes this book, and Che's life, so fascinating, is the man himself: Che Guevara.

As a Capitalist Imperialist myself, someone Che would have relished shooting, I never imagined I'd admire a communist. But there is much to admire in Che. Until his death, he was a man who remained true to his word. He practiced what he preached. If he was going to be a communist in a leadership role, he wasn't about to abuse that power and live in luxury. He lived among the people and expected no less from others in positions of authority.

There was also a great deal to dislike. Che was a man determined to use violence to bring about social change in the world. Although this theory may hold some truth, in my view, the things Che wanted to achieve in his lifetime were simply crazy. I'm thinking, for those who have read this work, about his goal of numerous Vietnam-like wars, of personally inciting World War III, and his desire for a global Marxist/communist government, thereby eliminating democracy or capitalist imperialism.

I live in a country where I'm permitted to read what I desire and think for myself, so I'm grateful these things never came to fruition. My country's politics are highly flawed, but so is communism, in my humble opinion. It is also my belief that there is no government that can function perfectly, but that's another topic. Che was, however, beloved by many people. His very presence in history was sufficient to kindle even my own admiration, as he was a rare and极其 interesting individual.

I highly recommend reading this, especially to those who have either worn the shirt or have wanted to, but know nothing about the actual man. And remember, it is a far more appealing character trait to educate oneself before passing judgment.

Che Guevara - A Revolutionary Life

Written by Jon Lee Anderson and translated by Alireza Rafougaran, published by Cheshmeh

So far (94), this book has reached its third edition

Back cover text:

Jon Lee Anderson began his career in journalism in Latin America in the 1970s

He is now a journalist and a regular member of the writing staff of The New Yorker, and he has been dubbed the "journalist of journalists"

Anderson's writing style and his commitment to providing well-documented reports, which reflect his excellent professional standing

It offers a unique perspective on the life of Che Guevara and also the social and political history of Latin America to the reader

This book, which has been published in 15 living languages of the world

Is considered the most comprehensive biography of Che Guevara and follows the fascinating and extraordinary life of this revolutionary whose utopian vision was to end poverty and injustice in Latin America through armed revolution

From his impoverished childhood to the battlefields of the Cuban Revolution

From the halls of power in Castro's government to his defeat in the Congo and his death in Bolivia

Anderson gained unprecedented access to the personal archives of Che Guevara

Which were in the possession of Guevara's widow

He conducted numerous interviews with Guevara's comrades - some of whom are speaking here for the first time - and Bolivian officials and CIA operatives who brought him down

Anderson also revealed the location of Che Guevara's grave, which was previously unknown

Which ultimately led to the exhumation of the grave and the transfer of Guevara's remaining bones and the honors of his burial in Cuba

The Persian version of this book has the feature of multiple research that the Iranian translator has done by referring to the book

In trips to Latin America and Europe and interviews with personalities there

----------------------------------

The book is translated into 1003 pages, including appendices at the end of each chapter, excluding the last appendix and the appendix of pictures

The book is very good, it contains a lot of events and details

Many personalities are introduced, which sometimes makes people wonder and may remember who and what they have done

Of course, the introduction of numerous personalities cannot be a negative point for the book in the field of biography

The book has a picture appendix, most of which are taken from the Office of Historic Affairs of the Cuban government

Finally, I can recommend reading this book to those who are interested in studying revolutions, especially the Cuban Revolution

Point

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Outstanding historical book! This remarkable piece of literature truly took my breath away. From the very first page, I was completely immersed in its captivating narrative. The author's meticulous research and vivid descriptions brought the historical events and characters to life in the most extraordinary way.

I would highly recommend reading this book without any hesitation. It offers a unique and profound insight into the past, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context and the forces that shaped our world. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply looking for a great read, this book is sure to satisfy.

Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down. It is a literary masterpiece that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page. So, don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to explore the past through the pages of this outstanding historical book.

Three weeks have passed, and after reading this extremely informative book in its entirety, I still find myself at a loss when it comes to Che Guevara. He remains a figure that I don't fully comprehend.

What I do know and understand, however, is that Chris would absolutely LOVE this book. Chris would have a deep affection for Ernesto 'Che' Guevara.

"Shoot, coward. You are only going to kill a man."

I was filled with sadness when he met his end at the conclusion. But this quote, oh my friend, let me tell you. Frankly speaking, it is one of the most remarkable last words of all time. This single quote alone is a certified four-pack Goodreads patriot banger. It has the power to resonate with readers and leave a lasting impression. It encapsulates the spirit and defiance of Che Guevara, making it a truly memorable and impactful statement.

Even though I may not completely understand Che Guevara, this book has provided me with valuable insights into his life and beliefs. It has made me reflect on his actions and the significance of his legacy.

Perhaps with further study and reflection, I will come to a better understanding of this complex and controversial figure. But for now, I am left with a sense of admiration and curiosity.

Exhaustive and fair is a principle that should be adhered to in many aspects of life.

When conducting research, being exhaustive means leaving no stone unturned, gathering all relevant information, and exploring every possible angle. This ensures that the results are comprehensive and accurate.

Fairness, on the other hand, requires treating all parties equally, without prejudice or favoritism. It means making decisions based on objective criteria and giving everyone an equal opportunity to succeed.

In a courtroom, for example, a judge must be both exhaustive in examining the evidence and fair in making a ruling. This ensures that justice is served and that the rights of all parties are protected.

Similarly, in a business setting, a company should strive to be exhaustive in its market research and fair in its treatment of employees and customers. This builds trust and loyalty and leads to long-term success.

In conclusion, being exhaustive and fair is essential for achieving excellence in any field. It requires diligence, objectivity, and a commitment to doing what is right. By following these principles, we can ensure that our actions are just and our decisions are sound.

I pretty much cried my way through the last chapter. Having delved into this with a wealth of background knowledge on Che's life, I still found myself learning more about him and his motives, beliefs, and convictions with each passing chapter. I particularly valued the details regarding Che's anti-revisionism and his stance on the great debate and Soviet social imperialism.

The main issue, albeit a minor one, that I have with the text is the lack of detailed elaboration and evaluation of Che's policies during his brief tenure leading Cuba's national bank. Nevertheless, John Lee Anderson's biography offers an expansive and comprehensive account of Che's life, his values, and the relationships he cultivated. Beyond all of this, the biography will always hold a special place in my heart. Studying and learning about Che and his unwavering dedication to revolutionary struggle was one of the primary reasons I radicalized. It provided me with an example of unwavering revolutionary fervor and love, of perseverance through extreme hardship, and of the promise of a better world forged through struggle.

Although I no longer wholeheartedly and unconditionally agree with and idolize Che's actions as I did when I first became a communist, my respect for him persists and continues to grow. And, "at the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love." <3 <3

After finishing this beast of a book, one of my biggest wishes is that I had read Che's writings instead.

This book is a great way to find out everything that Che did, but a terrible way to learn about what he believed. I don't know if the author did this intentionally because Che already had a lot of published writing or if he's just a bad author (probably both), but it makes even this huge book feel totally incomplete.

The author also sucks at writing a coherent timeline. He skips around so much, through months and even years sometimes, and it's wildly confusing. He might be a good researcher, but he is not a good writer.

Another area the author sucks is his blatant misogyny. Che is probably worse, but the author definitely adds his own contributions. Whether it's referring to women as "prey", the constant digs at Hilda's appearance, only believing Che's accounts when his and Hilda's journals diverge, or comparing Indigenous maids to sex workers.

Che himself treats women horrifically. The author seems to think it's a fun story that Che was constantly having sex with his and his friends' Indigenous servants, but that is rape. These are accounts of Che being a serial rapist. A servant is not in any place to give consent, and it's disgusting how much it's downplayed.

Che was passionate about teaching theory to fellow rebel fighters, but seemed to like the women he was in a relationship with to be uninformed and ignorant. I assume so that they're easier to control and so he never had to feel like he was in a relationship with an equal. I also assume this is the real reason that he and Hilda didn't work out; she was too well informed and probably challenged him.

The author and Che are also both huge racists. Something I didn't realize before reading this book was that Indigenous people in South America were also referred to as Indians, as they are/were in North America. It makes sense when you think about it, but I had never heard it before. So going through this book, I was confused at first why there were so many "Indians" in South America, and the author uses that term almost exclusively, which is inaccurate to say the least. He also regularly uses the term m*latto, as well as other offensive terms referring to mixed race people. The author once refers to Che's Black bodyguard as being "exotic". Che himself is wildly racist toward the Indigenous peoples of South America, once calling them "people of no class". He talked about feeling thrilled to watch people getting bombed in Guatemala.

Unsurprisingly, Che, who grew up in a well-off family, was extremely classist. He uses the term "peasant" ALL the time, especially in reference to Indigenous folks. He also really seemed to want to be poor and experience true poverty himself, but he is so fumblingly bad at it. The road trips he goes on in his twenties, he's always staying at these places he can't afford and then will sell OTHER people's belongings to pay off his own debts. Che is always happy to call in favours with rich people he knows to get himself out of binds, but when it comes to using his connections to further the revolution, like when he was in jail, he refused to use them because he seemingly wanted to suffer just for the show of it. I think Che mostly had good intentions, especially as he got older, but at his heart, he was really just a spoiled rich white guy no matter what. He once talked about missing his "traditional steak for breakfast."

Why was there so much poop talk? Why? I wrote myself a note while reading that just said "so much poop :(".

Other notes I took include Che killing a puppy that was threatening to blow his cover and then being sad that the puppy killing meant he had missed out on the action that was going on elsewhere. The irony of Che, a rapist, executing other men for being rapists. Che being friends with a Zionist and saying that he wanted to work with Israel. What the? The time Che got wasted and sexually assaulted a married woman at a party. Che being a huge homophobe. Che referring to patients with leprosy as "monstrous figures". Che during medical school, on his own terms, going out and getting animals that he kept at his house to do experiments on. Again, what the? Che's widow purposefully cutting out sections of Che's journals that were "sexually graphic" "in the interests of preserving the "propriety" of her late husband." Yeah, I bet. More rape? And hilariously, Che calling Fidel Castro "an authentic leader of the leftist bourgeoisie." How fitting.

Overall, this book is interesting if you want to learn about what Che Guevara did, what actions he took. However, I also wanted to read about his personal philosophies more and was strongly disappointed in that regard. I was also disappointed in Che as a person. I really didn't know anything about him going into this and was both surprised and not by what I found.

My opinion of Che is that he was a shitty revolutionary. He mostly just wanted control and he thought way too highly of himself and way too low of people who differed from him. He was a massive bigot, and you can never be a true revolutionary when you hold these kinds of beliefs. Great, let's change the world from one benefitting rich white men to - oh, middle class white men instead. Okay. There are absolutely times where I ideologically agree with him and times where I am so deeply opposed it's astounding. I also feel like I have a lot of personal similarities to him, but I just can't excuse the way that he treated other human beings for his own gain. I do think he did some good things, some great things even, but I don't know how that balances out with all the bad, and I don't think it's my place to say.

And for my last little nitpick, I have to say it was both funny and understandable how the deeper you get into this big ass book, the more typos there are lol. Editors, whoever you are, I feel you, I understand how tired you were and what a nightmare this job must have been for you. Oof!

This book is one of the best biographies I have ever read, and undoubtedly the best book I have seen about Che Guevara so far. The book is not only enjoyable and engaging to read, but unlike many biographies, it is not boring or tiring at all. Moreover, it seems that the author has tried to present the life of one of the greatest figures of the 20th century from an impartial perspective or at least with the least amount of bias.

I read this book in the years when I was passionate about leftist trends and considered myself a small Che Guevara in the political space of the university. I vividly remember reading this book during the final exams of the university semester. Instead of reading textbooks, I kept reading this book. As a result, this book brought me a conditional semester :-)

Leaving aside this personal experience, this book has tried not to have a merely personal and autobiographical look. Along with the narration of Che Guevara's life, it also deals with the important events and incidents of the mid-20th century. In this way, it provides a kind of general narrative of the history of various struggles, especially the anti-imperialist struggles and movements of the 20th century.

In any case, I highly recommend reading this book to all my friends who are interested in the person of Che Guevara, the history of various struggles, the history of the Cuban Revolution and the political transformations of the mid-20th century, especially the 1960s.

Ernesto Che Guevara - The Revolutionary Life Story

Ernesto Che Guevara's 1060-page biography is well-known, written by journalist John Anderson. He was extremely interested in Che and followed him throughout his short life (39 years). He even went to the difficult mountainous areas where Che had passed through, saw the kennels, shelters, and finally the school where he was executed, and detailed Che's life in the book. Interestingly, the Iranian translator of the book, Mr. Alireza Rafougaran, also took a similar difficult path. He traveled to South America to understand the feelings and living conditions of the guerrilla and experienced the atmosphere there himself.

The book deals with Che's eventful life. He was born into a relatively well-off family in Argentina, studied, and was a medical student. In his youth, signs of restlessness and upheavals appeared in him. He traveled a long journey in South America with his friend on a motorcycle and without facilities.

During the journey, he witnessed the role of large American companies in exploiting the people and their backwardness, as well as their strong influence in the countries of South America. In Guatemala, he witnessed the revolution against the corrupt government. He met Fidel Castro (who was then shaving and had no beard) at a party, listened to Fidel and his brother Raul's ideas, and finally dedicated himself to them. With Fidel and 82 others, they went to Cuba on a small boat with a little weapons and supplies to launch a revolution and uprising there.

However, their initial attack was disastrous. Only 12 out of 82 people survived and fled into the jungles and mountains. But gradually they gained strength, talked to the peasants, attracted them, grew smaller and larger, and won the support of the Cuban public opinion. The people overthrew the Batista regime, which was supported by the United States like most similar regimes, and joined the uprisings. In one of the battles, Che's fate changed. He put down his medical kit to get a weapon, and from this moment on, he completely became a symbol and a sign of a guerrilla.

The book fully describes the very difficult living conditions of the guerrilla, including hunger, disease, war, very long and arduous marches (the author mentions that Che didn't take a bath for 6 months). But these difficult conditions did not affect the decision of these men. They captured cities one after another and reached the capital Havana. Che, who is now the second person after Castro, has become the commander. They entered the capital amid the welcome of the people, while Batista is celebrating Christmas with the Americans elsewhere (this scene appears in the movie "The Godfather 2", where the American capitalists, including Michael Corleone, realize at the party that the revolution has triumphed and they must flee). Now that the revolution has triumphed, Che, who is very close to Fidel, becomes the minister of justice. Like all revolutionary countries, a revolutionary court is necessary to eliminate the corrupt elements and those who are loyal to the previous regime. Ernesto, with his pure faith in Castro, is also alive and present. The revolutionary court executes an unknown number of people with Che's signature. Then, without knowing anything about the economy (the necessary expertise is not required, faith is important), he becomes the president of the Central Bank of Cuba and then the minister of economy!

The author details the economic problems of Cuba in this part. Cuba, like other sugar-producing countries in the world, has a single-product economy. The sugarcane harvest has dropped significantly due to the breakdown of American tractors that have no spare parts, and many of them cannot work just because of the lack of a small part. And even the construction of a small part and a screw cannot be achieved with the faith of these revolutionary guerrillas!

But the revolutionary government must export its glorious ideas to the world. All the people in the world must benefit from the prosperity and peace of Cuba, from Africa to the neighboring countries.

Ernesto was burning with the nostalgia for the guerrilla life and the gun. He went to Africa and the Congo Republic without invitation to help the rebels in their struggle against Belgian and American colonialism. He even started learning the Swahili language. But due to cultural differences, he could not establish a relationship with Africa. The people did not connect with him. Ernesto and his Cuban group were isolated and returned to Cuba.

But Ernesto was not a patient person. This time it was Bolivia's turn for Cuba to interfere in its internal affairs. But the revolution and uprising in poor Bolivia did not take off. Ernesto and his small group were always on the run from the Bolivian police and army. But finally, this story had to end. Che returned to the heights of Bolivia and he was seriously ill. His group was surrounded and Che could not even pull the trigger of a gun. The world's greatest guerrilla fell into the hands of the Bolivian police and was executed a few hours later by order of the government.

In this way, the life of Ernesto Che Guevara, a man whom Jean-Paul Sartre named the most complete human being and whom Simone de Beauvoir and another group of intellectuals admired, came to an end. A man with a penetrating gaze, an attractive face, his purity and sincerity, perhaps cast a shadow on other activities.

Mr. Anderson does not make any judgments about Che. He only reports what has happened and does not give any opinions. But today, it can be seen that this guerrilla lived in a different world with the people of Latin America. In his last letter to Castro, he wrote that today the people are burning with the nostalgia for the revolution and the socialist dreams and we will soon witness the revolution in all of Latin America. Something that has not happened yet. Almost all of Latin America has advanced various types of capitalism and free markets and has achieved remarkable progress. And Cuba and Venezuela are the only countries where their socialist or Marxist dreams have destroyed their economies, which shows the fallacy of the path that Castro and Che Guevara took in the past and believed in.