I don't exactly know how this book got on my "To-Read" list, but there it was.

It has pleasantly surprised me. At first, it seemed like it was going to be a simple guide on how they set up the guerrilla in Cuba and from that create the bases for future revolutions. But apart from that, Che shows a great knowledge about the human body and mind (I had forgotten for a moment that he graduated in Medicine in Argentina). His knowledge is even simpler and more correct than what people in that field have in our times.

I doubt that anyone can draw the utility for which this book was written. But in this, one can see the ideas that moved Che along with the Castro brothers to lead the Cuban revolution.

What would Che be like if he were alive? Would he renounce his ideals upon seeing the real consequences for the people or would he still be convinced of them?

This book not only provides insights into the historical events but also offers a glimpse into the mind and beliefs of one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century. It makes you think about the complex nature of revolution, ideology, and the impact it has on society.

Whether you agree or disagree with Che's ideas, there is no denying the influence he has had and continues to have. Reading this book can be a thought-provoking experience that challenges your own views and makes you reflect on the past and the present.

Overall, it is a book that I would recommend to anyone interested in history, politics, or the human condition. It may not provide all the answers, but it will surely make you ask the right questions.

My mate's Commie Mam borrowed it some 6 years ago. It seems like an eternity has passed since then. I'm still patiently waiting for her to return it. :/ Every time I think about it, a sense of anticipation wells up inside me. I wonder if she has forgotten about it or if there are some valid reasons for the delay. Maybe she is facing some difficulties that prevent her from returning it promptly. But still, I hope that one day, she will remember and bring it back to me. After all, it is something that belongs to me.

During my early teenage years, I was involved in revolutionary activities. However, after reading this book, those days largely came to an end. It became evident that revolution was not the glamorous and exciting thing it was often portrayed to be in video games. Instead, it was a dirty and cold business. It seemed to be the interest of people whom I would likely despise and who would also despise me.

I wholeheartedly agree with another reviewer who stated that this book is more of a historical relic than a relevant manual. Nevertheless, I would add that it provides important insights into the tumultuous times of revolutionary Central and South America from the 1950s through the 1970s. It may even be useful in understanding some modern leaders. However, it is important to note that assuming too much insight from this book could be more dangerous than anything.

In conclusion, while this book may not be a practical guide for modern revolutionaries, it does offer valuable historical context and can help us better understand the complex and often violent history of Central and South America during a particular period.

This is a small book consisting of 175 pages.

It serves as an excellent background resource whenever guerrilla warfare was the predominant tactic.

For instance, in any book regarding the revolution in Nicaragua.

Che Guevara was a national hero there, and his presence could be seen in numerous places.

With this book, one can better envision how the guerrillas engaged in combat, as well as their actual mindset and the living conditions of the guerrilla revolutionaries.

I discovered so many things that I was previously unaware of.

For example, a guerrilla unit cannot subsist without the popular support of the people.

They are the people's army and function optimally in rural areas with abundant forest cover.

I also didn't know that guerrillas slept in hammocks!

I initially purchased this book because I was inspired by one of Che Guevara's quotes.

However, it turned out to be completely different from what I had anticipated, which is fine as it assisted me in forming a more detailed image of the Revolution in Nicaragua.

كتاب رائع بكل معنى الكلمة بالنسبة لي كشاب من سورية. في ظل الاوضاع الحالية التي تعيشها سورية، استفدت منه كثيرا من جميع النواحي التي ربما سأحتاجها في الايام القادمة. اعترف لكم انكم ستشعرون بالملل والملل الكبير عندما تقرأ الكتاب. لكني كنت شخصيا مجبر على قراءته للحصول على ذلك الكم من المعلومات القتالية. بصراحة، اذا كنت من سورية، اقرأه دون تردد.

This is a wonderful book in every sense of the word for me as a young man from Syria. In the current situation that Syria is experiencing, I have benefited a great deal from it in all aspects that I may need in the coming days. I admit to you that you will feel boredom and great tedium when you read the book. But I was personally compelled to read it to obtain that much of the vital information. Honestly, if you are from Syria, read it without hesitation.

Guerrilla Warfare offers profound insights into the functioning of the Marxist-Lenin model of revolution.

While having some knowledge of the historical context in the 1960s can enhance the reading experience, it is not a prerequisite.

Che Guevara's ideology and views are highly evident throughout his work. He presents himself as a principled individual, just as he is often depicted. This is particularly demonstrated through his condemnation of terrorism and his surprisingly progressive stance on the role of women in the guerrilla army.

The book is relatively concise, to the point, and easy to comprehend. Nevertheless, it still delves into details, such as the composition of a Molotov cocktail (it consists of 3 parts kerosene and 1 part motor oil) or the advantages of using a shotgun against motorized infantry columns.

However, the most captivating part for me is the Epilogue. It provides an analysis of the post-revolutionary situation in Cuba in 1960, along with some predictions about the future. In hindsight, we can see that Che accurately predicted the United States as a major enemy of Cuba, including the US justification, as well as foreseeing the assassination attempts on Fidel Castro and, to some extent, his own death. Here, he also issues a chilling warning about the perils of monopolies.

Overall, Guerrilla Warfare is a thought-provoking and valuable read that offers a unique perspective on revolution and its aftermath.

The original self-help book offers some rather unique and perhaps unorthodox pieces of advice.

It emphasizes the importance of being good to peasants, which is a noble sentiment as they are the backbone of many economies and societies.

It also states that shoes are the most crucial possession. This might seem odd at first, but in certain situations, good footwear can provide protection, stability, and enable one to move around more easily.

Another interesting point is to bring a book to share with your homies while camping in the dense jungle. This not only provides entertainment but also a sense of community and connection in the midst of nature.

However, the idea of stealing weapons from the enemy is a bit more controversial. While it may seem like a survival tactic in a hostile environment, it also goes against the principles of morality and legality in many cases.

Overall, the original self-help book contains a mix of practical and unusual advice that may or may not be applicable in different situations.

Este manual para guerrilleros es, sin duda, un gran aporte del Che Guevara a la teoría revolucionaria marxista. Es la exposición más acabada de la doctrina que Régis Debray conocería como foquismo. Al comienzo del libro, el Che formula tres enseñanzas que, según él, la Revolución Cubana dejó a los revolucionarios latinoamericanos. Estas son:

“(1) Las fuerzas populares pueden ganar una guerra contra el ejército.

(2) No siempre hay que esperar a que se den todas las condiciones para la revolución; el foco insurreccional puede crearlas.

(3) En la América subdesarrollada el terreno de la lucha armada debe ser fundamentalmente el campo.”

Al ahondar un poco en la historia de la Revolución Cubana, se podría cuestionar cada uno de estos axiomas. Y al observar el resto de las experiencias revolucionarias en el tercer mundo desde 1959, se puede ver que fueron fracasos. El propio Che fracasó en el Congo y en Bolivia, lo que muestra su obstinación en el punto (2), que era obviamente equivocado.

A pesar de estos fracasos, el triunfo de la revolución en Cuba siguió avalando los axiomas de La guerra de guerrillas, e inspirando más revoluciones que, sin excepción, terminaron en tragedia.

Podría decirse que esto hubiese ocurrido sin la ayuda del Che. Pero él presentó estos axiomas no como conclusiones propias, sino como verdades autoevidentes. Y su muerte, que fue consecuencia de los errores teóricos de La guerra de guerrillas, fue, contradictoriamente, la publicidad definitiva.

Sus admiradores y detractores reconocen que el Che estaba convencido de sus ideales. Pero para mí, esta presunta virtud es su peor defecto. El Che tenía una opinión demasiado elevada de sí mismo, y consideraba sus opiniones como verdades universales.

En un artículo anterior a La guerra de guerrillas, el Che ya había mostrado esta manera de pensar. Y en La guerra de guerrillas, no ofrece muchos argumentos a favor de su postura.

En conclusión, La guerra de guerrillas debería leerse como el testimonio de una forma equivocada de pensar y sentir. Y el componente emocional del guevarismo explica por qué la muerte del Che motivó a tantas personas a seguir su ejemplo, aunque fuera hasta el abismo.

Che is indeed an outstanding writer. His perspectives on the role of a guerilla, whether as a social reformer or a combatant, are truly fascinating. Although the text may seem rather dry at times, when regarded as a historical document, it is remarkably impressive in elucidating their thought process during the Cuban revolution. To obtain a more thrilling account of the revolution, one should read the Che diaries. In contrast, this particular work is more like a sober textbook. It presents a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the events and ideas that shaped the revolution. Despite its dryness, it offers valuable insights into the minds and strategies of the guerilla fighters. It serves as an important resource for those interested in understanding the history and significance of the Cuban revolution.

"كتاب اي كلام ومينفعش في زماننا الحاضر" can be translated to "Any book or speech that is not useful in our present time."

In our modern era, the value of a book or speech is often determined by its relevance and practicality. With the rapid pace of technological advancements and the ever-changing nature of society, what may have been considered useful in the past may no longer hold the same significance.

We are constantly bombarded with an overwhelming amount of information, and it can be challenging to distinguish between what is truly valuable and what is not. In this context, a book or speech that fails to offer practical insights, solutions, or inspiration may seem pointless.

However, it is important to note that the concept of usefulness is subjective and can vary from person to person. What one individual may find unhelpful, another may discover to be a source of great enlightenment. Additionally, even seemingly "useless" books or speeches can have hidden gems of wisdom or serve as a catalyst for further thought and exploration.

In conclusion, while it is understandable to question the value of a book or speech in our present time, we should not be too hasty in dismissing them. Instead, we should approach each one with an open mind and a willingness to learn, as you never know what valuable insights may be waiting to be discovered.

This book provides a truly fascinating and in-depth look at the methods that the Cuban revolution employed to emerge victorious in their war. It delves into the motivations behind the different tactics they used and explores how such a small and underpowered group was able to achieve this remarkable feat.

Sixty years have passed since then, and it is indeed difficult to envision the same strategies being effective in today's vastly different world. The power gap between a small guerilla army and a well-funded state military is now even more pronounced. However, as Che Guevara states, "new experiences can vary and improve these concepts. We offer an outline, not a bible."

This book should, at the very least, prompt one to consider how the suggestions within it could be updated and applied to a modern context. It also makes one reflect on why someone would be driven to revolution in the first place. By examining the past, we can gain valuable insights that may help us understand and address the challenges of the present and future.

3.5 Stars

Being placed on any governmental watchlist for reading this was definitely worthwhile. I have been attempting to read about the events in which the US was engaged from perspectives other than those within the US. I really like that pull quote on the back from the Wash Post.

It is also fascinating to consider how much more powerful governments have become in relation to counter-insurgency and surveillance. I believe that a significant portion of the strategy in this book is outdated. However, the theory and purpose remain as robust as ever. This book offers a unique perspective that challenges the traditional view of US involvement in various events. It makes one think about the role of governments in today's world and how their power has evolved. Despite the outdated strategy, the underlying theory and purpose still hold great value and can provide valuable insights into current events and issues.