A good attempt at trying to present a very human portrait of Che has been made in this work. The author has utilized access to letters and people that most other authors haven't had. This unique approach allows for a more in-depth and detailed look at the real Che.

However, it's important to note that this portrayal is also a very sympathetic view. While it may offer valuable insights into Che's character and experiences, it might not present a completely objective picture.

Nonetheless, this work is still significant as it contributes to the ongoing discussion and understanding of Che Guevara. It provides readers with a different perspective and encourages them to think critically about his life and legacy.

Overall, it's a worthy read for those interested in learning more about this iconic figure and the complex times in which he lived.

This author is truly extremely long winded.

I could only manage to read a few pages at a time as it was such a laborious task to get through.

The author is not a bad writer by any means, and it is evident that he has done his research thoroughly.

However, everything seems to take an inordinately long time.

It becomes incredibly tedious as every individual who was associated with Che has to be provided with these long block quotes to express their perspective on what occurred.

Personally, I thought it was overly long, especially considering that the index/notes occupied approximately fifty pages or so.

As I previously mentioned, the author clearly put in a great deal of effort into his research.

Nonetheless, the excessive length and detailed quotations made it a rather tiresome read for me.

I would have preferred a more concise and streamlined presentation of the information.

Perhaps the author could have condensed some of the content without sacrificing the essence of the story.

Overall, while the research is commendable, the execution left something to be desired in terms of readability.

Jorge G. Castañeda’s Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life is truly one of the most detailed and well-balanced biographies of Che Guevara.

It skillfully strips away the various myths that have surrounded him, both that of the romantic hero and the ruthless ideologue. What it reveals is the complex, flawed, and utterly fascinating man who lies behind the legend.

Castañeda takes a measured approach. He doesn’t blindly admire Che, nor does he unjustly demonize him. Instead, he presents us with a meticulously researched, critical, yet fair portrait. We see Che as a passionate revolutionary, motivated by lofty ideals but also hampered by arrogance. His intelligence and charisma are impossible to deny, yet his mistakes and contradictions are equally evident.

The book vividly shows how his strengths, such as discipline, courage, and vision, could also be his weaknesses. These led him to make reckless decisions that ultimately contributed to his downfall.

The writing is detailed without ever becoming boring. It effectively connects Che’s personal journey with the broader political context of the Cold War. This book is not just a biography; it’s a profound exploration of revolution, power, and ideology. Whether you are an admirer of Che or a critic, this book is an essential read for anyone who wishes to understand who he really was beyond the iconic posters and slogans.

The narrative is good but a bit dull in some parts.

It has its moments of interest, but there are sections that seem to lack excitement.

Maybe a few more vivid descriptions or engaging details could be added to make it more captivating.

The story has potential, but it needs some sprucing up to truly shine.

It could benefit from a more dynamic flow and a stronger hook to draw the reader in.

With a little effort, it could become a much more engaging and enjoyable read.

Overall, it's a decent start, but there's room for improvement to make it a great narrative.

The man, the doctor, the physicist, the revolutionary, the anger, the arrogance, the icon. Che Guevara was all of these things and much more.

Despite his personal opinions, he was an extraordinary human being. He dedicated his life to fighting for social justice and equality, inspiring generations of people around the world.

The book, however, is difficult to read and strays from the actual experience. It may present a one-sided view or lack the depth and nuance to truly capture the essence of Che Guevara's life and work.

To truly understand him, one must look beyond the written word and explore his actions, his beliefs, and the impact he had on the world. Only then can we begin to appreciate the complexity and significance of this remarkable figure.

A little on the heavy side and a touch difficult to read. However, it has been brilliantly researched all the same.

The content seems to carry a certain weight, perhaps due to the complexity of the subject matter or the depth of the analysis. This makes it a bit of a challenge for the reader to fully engage and understand at first glance.

Nevertheless, it is evident that a great deal of effort and research has gone into this work. The author has managed to unearth valuable information and present it in a way that, although initially overwhelming, holds the potential for great insights and learning.

Despite the initial difficulties, those who are willing to persevere and invest the time in reading and understanding will likely be rewarded with a deeper appreciation of the topic and a wealth of new knowledge.

My fascination by Che's life was tripled after reading this book.

It was an incredibly smooth read, and I'm certain it's a book that I can pick up and read again with equal enjoyment.

As an icon for an era, what makes Che so fascinating is that his passion and idealism are so vividly and well-recorded within the pages of this book. It truly is a great historical treasure.

The book flows seamlessly, and it has the ability to answer numerous questions regarding Che's life. What's more, it doesn't rely on overly complicated scholar language, which makes it an engaging and interesting read for a wide range of audiences. Whether you're a history buff or simply someone with an interest in learning more about this remarkable figure, this book is definitely worth checking out.

I found this book to be extremely interesting.

Although I haven't yet delved into any of the numerous other books about Che Guevara, I firmly believe that this one would serve as an excellent starting point for anyone eager to learn about the man.

Che is portrayed as someone passionately committed to his cause. However, it's also evident that he may have been flawed in his overly idealistic pursuit of that cause.

Castaneda does a remarkable job of suggesting that Che has achieved a status in death that surpasses his life. This is seen in what he has come to symbolize and how he has been marketed.

The book offers a fascinating perspective on Che Guevara, making it a must-read for those interested in understanding his complex character and his lasting impact.

It provides valuable insights into his ideals, his actions, and the legacy he has left behind.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Che Guevara and his place in history.

I highly recommend this book!

It provides a detailed account of the life, political thought, and legacy of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. The author meticulously notes when the sources contradict each other, adding to the credibility of the narrative.

I was aware that Che Guevara was an Argentine physician from a relatively well-to-do middle-class family and that he had died in Bolivia. However, this book filled in all the gaps in my knowledge.

From his early wanderings through much of Latin America to his fateful encounter with Fidel Castro and his subsequent joining of the guerrillas, the book offers a comprehensive look at his life.

What I found particularly interesting was how restless Che became after the success of the revolution in Cuba. Despite being the number 3 in the country and in charge of economic policy, he was not satisfied.

Fidel Castro was focused on the development of Cuba, while Che was more interested in "exporting the Revolution" to other countries. Their different ideologies and priorities led to tensions within the revolutionary movement.

Che's attempts to replicate the Cuban experience in other countries, such as Africa and Bolivia, ultimately failed. He fell into the error of assuming that what worked in Cuba would work equally well in other countries with different socio-political situations and geographical terrains.

The book also explores the complex and tragic figure of Che Guevara. His willpower, energy, physical courage, and inspiration to his fellow revolutionaries are all evident.

However, his hubris in believing that small bands of Cubans could succeed in creating the conditions for a revolution in any country they chose to work in led to his downfall.

The story of Che Guevara's final days in Bolivia, slinking through the gorges with his much-diminished band, cut off from the urban center, without food or medicines, is truly heartbreaking.

Overall, I found this book to be a fascinating and thought-provoking read, and it left me with a profound sense of sadness for the figure of Che Guevara.

In preparing to portray Che in the summer of 2019 for the Oklahoma Chautauqua, I delved into numerous books about his life.

Among them, the works by his second wife provided some valuable perspectives. However, Castandeda's book stands out as by far the most balanced, probing, and helpful.

His insights into Che's motivations and personality are truly profound. They offer a unique and illuminating look into the hundreds of pages of writing that Che himself produced.

This book is an absolute must-read for anyone hoping to gain a deeper understanding of this complex cultural icon. It provides a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of Che's life, thoughts, and actions, shedding light on the many facets of his persona.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, a student of political science, or simply someone interested in learning more about this influential figure, Castandeda's book is sure to provide you with a wealth of knowledge and a new perspective on Che Guevara.

Castañeda presents a captivating portrayal of Che's life.

Although his childhood and formative years are briefly touched upon, the main focus is on the Cuba foco up until his execution. He strikes a balance, both debunking myths and writing with admiration for Che's fierce determination, his ability to analyze and overthrow hierarchies. However, unlike Deutscher's Trotsky, he fails to examine himself and his own failures.

Che was a complex mixture of a man with ideological prowess and matching energy, yet also subject to a series of accidents and wrong turns that ultimately shaped and ended his life. The Cuban years are the most romantic and exotic, making the flaws in his expeditions in Congo and Bolivia seem even more out of place.

Castañeda can sometimes overemphasize insignificant details and digress as he sets the political stage for Che's life events. Twice he succumbs to the historian's pitfall of hindsight. First, he mocks the boat trip to invade Cuba, suggesting they abandoned common sense and neglected to plan. Second, he claims Che should have seen the approaching cliff edge that was Bolivia before taking the plunge.

Overall, it is a remarkable book about a man who lived a truly extraordinary life.

The book is rich in content and has a distinctiveness that has managed to accurately... The book, in the end, has placed "what" under scrutiny, not from the perspective of thought but rather in terms of the spirit and the longing for freedom, and in the end, it has compared "what" to the Christian death, which was inspiring to many students in the 1960s and led to many cultural changes. Although its own aspiration was for a fundamental revolution and based on the structures of politics and society (socialism and communism).

In the end, it should be said that the text of the book is not very attractive and engaging, but it has value in reading because it is the result of years of research and accurate information.