Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life

by Jon Lee Anderson
Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life cover
Good Books rating 3.75
Biography and Memoir
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Paperback • £22.00 Hardback • £25.00
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  • ID: 166
  • Added: 2025-09-03
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780802135582
  • Published: 1997-01-01
  • Formats: 72
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
substack.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
engaging 4.50

John Lee Anderson's biography of Che Guevara is a detailed and engaging narrative that presents both the admirable and flawed aspects of the revolutionary leader. The reviewer found the book highly informative, shedding light on Che's complex character and the historical context of Latin America during the Cold War.

John Lee Anderson's _Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life_ is a meticulously researched and well-written biography that offers a comprehensive look at the life of Che Guevara. The reviewer appreciates the author's objective presentation of Che's admirable qualities and fatal flaws, as well as the detailed accounts of his exploits and the historical context. The book provides a nuanced portrayal of Che as not just a guerilla leader but also an intellectual, poet, and physician. The reviewer also gained valuable insights into Latin America in the 1950s and 1960s, including the significant U.S. interests in the region and the dynamics between Cuba, the Soviet Union, and China. Despite its length and detail, the book is engaging and highly recommended for those interested in Che Guevara and the broader historical context.

Quick quotes

    John Lee Anderson’s _Che Guevara - A Revolutionary Life_ is an absolute marvel of a biography.

    However, I do feel that Jon Lee Anderson presents both admirable qualities and fatal flaws, triumphs and tragedies in a relatively objective way.

    I can highly recommend this biography to anyone who has the time and stamina to attack it.

app.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
informative 4.00

The book provides an informative and honest account of Che Guevara's life, dispelling myths and offering a factual representation. However, some readers found it exhaustive and lacking in depth regarding Guevara's motivations.

The book is praised for its thorough and honest portrayal of Che Guevara's life, providing a factual account that dispels many myths surrounding the revolutionary figure. Readers appreciate the detailed and adventurous narrative, which offers insights into Guevara's beliefs and actions. However, some find the book exhausting due to its length and level of detail, and they feel it falls short in exploring Guevara's true motivations and the reasons behind his choices. The book is seen as a valuable resource for understanding Guevara's impact, but it may not fully satisfy those seeking deeper psychological insights.

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    This book does an excellent job of giving an honest representation of his life.

    For me, Anderson falls short by failing to dig beyond the events into the true motivations.

    Took me a while to read due to the length and level of detail, but overall an excellent book.

app.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
disappointed 2.00

The reviewer found the book thorough and well-researched, providing a detailed account of Che Guevara's life and influence. However, they were disappointed by the lack of insight into Che's personal philosophies and criticized the author's writing style and misogynistic and racist language.

The reviewer appreciated the book's comprehensive and well-researched nature, which offers a detailed look into Che Guevara's actions and involvement in various revolutions. They found the chronological approach helpful, though the occasional jumps in time were confusing. The reviewer also noted that the author maintained a neutral stance, neither glorifying nor vilifying Che. However, they were disappointed by the lack of depth regarding Che's personal philosophies and found the book incomplete in this regard. Additionally, the reviewer criticized the author's writing style, noting it was incoherent and confusing at times. They also took issue with the author's misogynistic and racist language, as well as the portrayal of Che's own misogynistic and racist behaviors. The reviewer found Che's actions and attitudes problematic, including his treatment of women, his racism, and his classist views. Overall, while the book provides a detailed account of Che's actions, the reviewer felt it fell short in providing a deeper understanding of his beliefs and philosophies.

Quick quotes

    This is a very thorough and well-researched biography of one of the most influential figures in Latin American history and 20th century world history.

    The author also sucks at writing a coherent timeline, he skips around so much, through months and even years sometimes and it's wildly confusing.

    Che was passionate about teaching theory to fellow rebel fighters, but seemed to like the women he was in a relationship with to be uninformed and ignorant, I assume so that they're easier to control and so he never had to feel like he was in a relationship with an equal.

tomruffles.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2020-05-31
insightful 4.50

Jon Lee Anderson's biography of Che Guevara is a comprehensive and critical account of the revolutionary's life, based on extensive research and interviews. The reviewer appreciates the book's depth and nuance, highlighting Che's complex character and the political context of his actions.

Jon Lee Anderson's 'Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life' is a meticulously researched biography that provides a comprehensive and critical look at the life of Che Guevara. The reviewer notes that despite being published in 1997, the book remains relevant and insightful. Anderson's work is based on extensive research, including interviews with those who knew Che, as well as access to various archives. The book is divided into three sections, tracing Che's life from his early years to his death, and provides a detailed account of his political activities and ideological beliefs. The reviewer appreciates the book's balanced perspective, which situates Che's actions within the complex political landscape of the time. They also highlight Che's complex character, noting his idealism, charisma, and ruthlessness, as well as his unwavering commitment to revolutionary discipline. The book is praised for its ability to dig beneath the myth of Che Guevara to reveal the person behind the legend.

Quick quotes

    The book is respectful but critical, and situates Che’s activities within the complex politics of the times.

    He was a principled internationalist, dedicated to the destruction of imperialism and exploitation, and the creation of a pan-Latin America, but he was not always tactful in his pronouncements.

    While some details may have dated, this is still a fine study of a complex man based on painstaking research.

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