Companero: The Life and Death of Che Guevara by Jorge G. Castaneda
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Book Reviews of Companero: The Life and Death of Che Guevara
Book Review: A complex man in complex times
Summary: 5 Stars
This biography gives a detailed account of the life of Ernesto "Che" Guevara, from his childhood days in upper-middle class Argentina to his death during a completely hopeless attempt at guerrilla war in Bolivia.
Che was a complex, and certainly a driven man. He would not let impossible odds or his sometimes poor health allow to stop him. Casteneda explains very well how both his character as well as his experiences in Latin America shaped him that way. The Mexican historian succeeds in giving an excellent account of both the historical events that Che was a part of and of Che's psychological states motivating him to act in these events. The question when and how Che was transformed from a talented son of the privileged class in Argentina who liked to travel to a fierce fighter for the liberation of the proletariat is pondered at length. Along the way, the reader learns a lot about Latin American history and politics. Che's relationship with the other Cuban revolutionaries, especially Fidel Castro, as far as it is accessible for an outsider, is elaborated on.
This book is scholarly written but nevertheless very readable. Casteneda clearly has sympathies for the subject of his biography, but he is critical when it is warranted. Particularly, he points out his failures as an economist and as a military strategist: the efforts of exporting the revolution to the Congo and to Bolivia were ill conceived from the beginning, as the popular support in these places was not comparable to pre-revolutionary Cuba. Despite all these deficits, the spirit of solidarity with the world's poor and suppressed, that Che lived, impressed me as a reader and seemed to have impressed Casteneda. He finishes with a look at Che as a cultural icon, his face printed on countless T-shirts, and on the inspiration he provided for many. After reading the last page of this book one is tempted to shout whole-heartedly "Hasta la victoria siempre!"
Book Review: The real life of a not-so-glorious revolutionary
Summary: 5 Stars
"Companero" is an amazing account of the life of Che Guavara. Through the eyes of its author we get to know Che, not as myth or legend, but as man. From his humble roots, severe bouts with asthma, trouble with women, sometimes dictator-like chastisement of his followers and above all sheer determination, we get to know the real Che. A true revoltutionary even to Fidel Castro himself, whom he always respected but not always agreed with, Che fought for an everyman's ideal in a country that wasn't even his motherland or birthright. He was able to welcome the good in individuals, but harshly opposed oppressors. This novel is a great welcome into the real down-to-earth introduction to a man whose myth is sometimes inflated beyond reality. After reading this amazingly well researched account of Che's life, once respects the man for not only his sheer will and determination, but also his acheivements in spite of all his, sometimes monumental, flaws. Only in death, could Che be truly set free.Book Review: Passionate and informative
Summary: 5 Stars
This very passionate work does a good job of clearing up misconceptions and making Che's ideas and philosohy more readily available. Che has become a sort of enigmatic figure in our times and it is disturbing how so many people just plaster his image and "claim" to be a "compa~nero" without really knowing what Che stood for and what he accomplished in his life. This is a very welcome biography on one of the most influential and misunderstood revolutionaries. This book was written by someone who is not only passionate about it, but who is also able to be objective. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about Che.Book Review: An materful work, a brilliant conclusion
Summary: 5 Stars
As a bit of a Cuban Revolution scholar, I found Castaneda's book to add a depth and insight found no where else in the Che literature. The volume of footnotes may frighten some off, but they can mostly be ignored. This book gives a remarkable sense of the incredibly difficult task of actually trying to run a country after a revolution and in the face of such opposition. While much of the book is complex research at its' best, the final chapter is a thing of beauty. Castaneda give meaning to both the life of Che and meaning to the impact of the 1960's on the society at large. The final two pages are brilliant.Book Review: Che for grown-ups
Summary: 5 Stars
Castaneda's is by far the best work yet done on the subject, not only better written, but also more penetrating and authoritative than either of the other recent big bios--and all at something like half the length. Also, though Castaneda clearly admires Che, his insights and conclusions are still clear-eyed and uncompromising. This is Che for grown-ups, a real-life saint, as exasperating as he is inspiring, and all the more compelling for it. In fact, since reading this I can't think about the guy without getting a lump in my throat. No lie. So Hasta La Victoria Siempre, Commandante... wherever you are.