Che Guevara, A Revolutionary Life ~ John Lee Anderson

Never before have I read a biography that I have enjoyed so much.


This is an amazing look into the life of Ernesto Guevara de la Serna. An Argentian doctor and iconic Revolutionary whose life was cut short in Bolivia in 1967.

A devout Marxist, ‘Che’ (so named by his friends for his frequent use of the word ‘Che’ meaning pal) lived and breathed what he believed in. His methods may not have always been right, but you have to admire his unfailing beliefs, which ultimately cost him his life, leaving a wife and five children (one by a previous marriage) to grieve for him.

Che’s meeting, in Mexico, with Fidel Castro was to change his life and the course of history. Castro orchestrated the revolution that was to overthrow the Batista dictatorship, and expel the American Imperialists from Cuba. Che finally had a cause in which to utilize his belief in the ’armed struggle’. Originally, not a Communist Revolution, Che’s Marxist influence was finally accepted by Castro, and Cuba allied itself with the Soviet Block which resulted in much needed financial assistance. However, it also resulted in the Soviets bringing in Ballistic Missiles in 1962, in what is now known as the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Che was a firm believer in the fundamentals of communism. He worked several ministry positions within the revolutionary Cuban government, however only receiving a basic wage for one of the positions. On Saturday’s those within his Ministry were encourage to join him in volunteer work such as cane cutting. Due to his strong belief in the Revolutionary Man and working for the common good, Che soon became disillusioned by what he saw on his visits to Russia (those in power had privilege) and he started to lean towards Maoist China for his inspiration.

Che’s affinity with China however, became an embarrassment for Cuba, and he decided that it was time to move on. But where? The problems in The Congo created an opportunity to start a Revolution in Africa, however he found the African soldiers were undisciplined and the planned insurgency never got off the ground. Finally it was decided that Che would start a Revolution in Bolivia, and once successful he would then cross the border into his homeland of Argentina…….

This book has been meticulously researched. Anderson uprooted his family to Cuba and spent five years there. He had access to Che’s diaries and books (he was a prolific writer), and was able to interview his fellow revolutionaries, his first wife Hilda, his second wife Aleida, along with his parents and siblings.

This is an incredible portrait of a rebellious, chronic asthmatic who, after traveling around South America in his youth, was so incensed by the treatment and living conditions of the indigenous population that he set about trying to change the world.