Che Guevara: A Life From Beginning to End (Revolutionaries)

This is a short biography on the well known Latin American revolutionary Ernesto 'Che' Guevara by Hourly History. Most of us would have heard of Guevara, if not for his revolution, definitely because of the merchandises around; such as t-shirts, bags,etc. with his face. At least, that was how I got to know about him first.So, this book starts with how Che Guevara's life as a student of medicine in Buenos Aires and then, the break he took to tour the poorest areas of Latin America which made him very convinced about Communist and left wing ideologies. It then elaborated on how his journey led him to support a revolution in Guatemala against the incumbent dictator Arbenz and the eventual victory of the revolutionaries. The book then talks about the meeting between Raul Castro (Fidel's brother and current head of state of Cuba) and Guevara which led to the meeting with Fidel and beginning of the revolution against the Batista government in Cuba and suppression of the American aided Bay of Pigs Invasion the success of which led to the consolidation of power by Castro and Guevara. The book then talks about his skills as a diplomat in Cuba - striking alliances with Soviet Union, later on with China and also touches upon his travels around Africa and Asia. Eventually, the book focuses on his fallout with Fidel Castro, leading to his exile in Bolivia and eventual downfall.The book covered nearly every aspect of Guevara, the origins of how he became a revolutionary, his personal life, his skills as a diplomat and final days as a guerilla warrior in Bolivia. The book was also concise and delivered on the promise of giving his biography in an hour.However, with that said, this has the usual fallout of an Hourly History biography; wherein they try to completely glorify the person involved that the negative aspects of the person whom they have chosen are never brought out. In fact, the book hardly talks about his gruesome killings (despite being a doctor himself), suppression of dissent in Cuba (despite claiming to be a liberal himself), his opposition to foreign presence in Cuba, despite his pursuit of Chinese and Soviet investment in Cuba and ironically, Guevara not being native to Cuba himself, his endorsement of dictators despite his opposition to imperialist suppression. None of these contradictions in Guevara were brought out. However, the book did bring out saying that while people would debate Guevara's legacy; nobody can deny his passion to fight for his convictions; nonetheless, passion is not an excuse for all the things that Guevara did.However, this book is still a good read for those who wish to know why he has become such a cult figure all over the world as this does tell largely about all the positive aspects of the revolutionary. On the whole, I would award the book a three on five.

He was a staunch revolutionary and no saint! He was supposed to stop blood as a doctor but he bled a lot of it from others!Che is no ordinarily figure and hence any stereotypes or reductionistic discourse about him doesn't make any Justice. He is many things to many people... Lets leave it there!As far as the book is concerned it focusses more on che guevara and his life but briefly also touches upon his discontent and fallout with the castros, comrades and so called communists like soviets! He did what is possible from his side without compromising his so called ideals if you will.... He was also looks like a romantic revolutionary not just wooing women but also penning poetry and firing guns!

The book has narrated beautifully the larger than life person who lived on this planet. Had his brilliance and resoluteness were diverted to science and economics, we would have a large number of scientists and welfare workers. As bruce lee stated we are like water and take the shape of the vessel we are in. Well written.

It is a decent short book on the revolutionary. The writing was concise and clean. It takes you in the major life events of che. I wanted to know a bit more on the questions as to why he is regarded in such high manner apart from his idealism in communalism. Also giving the insights into what his ideologies are.

Brief and good.short and concise.Read for a bird's eye view. But you will enjoy it as it tells you the positive and as well as lets you know bout revolution

Nicely written book. Explained entire life in easy language.

We learn a lot from this book. Quite good, and yes interesting.

Not worth of money

This is NOT a book. It's a few pages that has been researched on the internet and is as broad as possible to be. This is not the first time i have ordered on here what looked like a book and it turned out to be a (useless) pamphlet. Usually i wait to long to send back, which i think is the marketing strategy here and it's a numbers game. This time i sent back right away for a refund. If you want to know anything meaningful and in depth, DO NOT buy this ridiculous pamphlet. From memory, it was £9.99. Not worth 99 pence.

It is sweet and short, in just few hours you can get your history basics and then is up to you to research more. And I learn a thing or two I didn't know before.

A short book giving an outline of his life; very useful for giving the reader the simple facts.

an incredible story of a man who wanted to help the poor

Easy to read, and gives a quick picture of Che and his fights. A good read for those who want to know about the history.