Rating: 
Summary: An excellent biography of a man of limited accomplishments
Review: This is a superbly written and researched book, better than any other book about Che, and probably the best biography of a guerrilla leader ever published. Anderson is to be congratulated for his amazingly thorough research, and also his attempt to create a balanced, human portait of one of the most controversial figures of our age. Anyone looking for either a glorification or a condemnation of Che's life and work will not find it here. Anderson's documentation of Che's life is exhaustive, but never tedious. Not surprisingly, Che's various guerrilla campaigns -- in Cuba, Africa and finally Bolivia -- comprise the most interesting parts of the book. Even if you find Che's methods revolting, it's hard not to respect his courage in the face of often overwhelming military odds and almost constant physical hardship. I'm surprised that Che managed to live as long as he did, given his illnesses, the terrain in which he worked, and the lack of food, water and sanitation, not to mention the full-blown attacks, snipers, spies and betrayals that he faced all the time. Still, for all his violent exploits, Che seems to have accomplished relatively little. His campaigns in Africa and Bolivia were utter failures, and he wore out his welcome in Cuba not too long after the Revolution. In fact, it's hard to identify anyone in this book who ended up better off as a result of his actions. Perhaps this book documents something we've known all along: that Che's romantic image dwarfs his actual accomplishments, and that the myth was much bigger than the man.
Rating:
Summary: Can't praise it enough
Review: Possibly the best book I've read- it's thorough, accessible and objective. Che comes over as being similar to William Wallace- both only really had one big vicory followed by repeated failure then execution, but are inspiring none the less. Not only does the bookdetail Che's life, it also studies realpolitik in action, with the disgusting exploits of the CIA as they assassinate, and help to violently overthrow democratically elected governments when they disagree with the result, showing their true beliefs are those of property not freedom. The events of Guatemala, Chile, the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban missile crisis, Sino-soviet split, and more are all documented. Famous figures such as Malcolm X, JFK, Evita, Nasser, Nehru, Mao all crop up too. Overall this should be considered a compulsory read, particularly to those in America who know little of communism, the cold war etc. other than the propaganda they've been fed over the decades- it probably won't convert you but it will give you a greater understanding as to the other side of the argument. Granted, if you're intimidated by large book, this won't be for you- but then again what would Che think of someone who's afraid of an inanimate paper based product?
Rating:
Summary: Fabulously researched and written. Highly entertaining
Review: This is a first class biography by a world class journalist. Jon Lee Anderson's biography of Che Guevara is unparalleled in its scholarship and accessibility. Anderson uses his investigative skills as a journalist to uncover new information about the life and times of this loved and hated revolutionary. Anderson does so by living and traveling throughout Cuba and Latin America, as well as the former Soviet Union and the U.S., to interview key figures who knew Guevara first hand. The book is well written and reads much like a bestselling novel. At almost 800 pages, this is not a light read. But it is well worth the time. Among other things, Anderson takes the reader behind the scenes at Guevara's childhood homes in Argentina and on his famous motorcycle trips throughout South America. Later, the book transports readers into Che's apartment in Mexico, where he meets Fidel Castro for the first time. Anderson provides his readers with front row seats to the revolutionary battles that took place at and around the Sierra Maestra in 1950's Cuba. Readers are then led to follow Che into his role as a minister in Cuba's new revolutionary government. Then, after describing how Che made a feckless foray into the Congo to assist a revolutionary uprising there, Anderson follows Che into his final battle in Bolivia. Throughout the biography, Anderson provides readers with detailed and documented access to key events (and books) that influenced Che's thinking and growth as a Marxist revolutionary. Moreover, the author does a good job of citing the original writings of Che and others near him. This makes readers (at least this one) almost feel as if they are firsthand witnesses to history. Unlike many books on Che, Anderson's is thoroughly objective. The author paints a picture of Che that is both factual and well-rounded, leaving the reader to draw his or her own conclusions about the man and his actions. If the book has a weakness, it might be that many of its quotes are not clearly documented with footnotes. This could prove problematical for students who want to pursue their own research on Guevara. But for the majority of readers, this is a problem that is easily overlooked. I am glad that I read this book and cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone interested in its subject.
Rating: 
Summary: A detailed Biography
Review: I was first attracted to reading about Che when I saw a giant flag with a map of South America and Che's face superimposed over the top of it. It wasn't the first time I saw his image and I new that he was the archetypal icon for revolution. I also knew he had something to do with Cuba. In an attempt to understand who this man was I read Jon Lee Anderson's book and found answers to all my all my questions and alot more I hadn't counted on. This book gives a detailed account of Che's life from his upper middle class upbringing to his travels around South America that exposed him to the hardships created by North American imperialism that lead him to become a revolutionary. It gives almost a daily account of the Cuban revolution and the reform that followed to his failed attempts at spreading the revolution to Africa and South America. It also gives a general overview of some of the cold war politics that were happening at the time including the rivalries between the Soviet and Chinese regimes. My only criticism would be that for somebody looking for a general idea of Che's life this book is extremly detailed and I found it hard to retain all the relationships between the various guerrilas and ambassadors etc. But I'm glad I read it as it has broadened my interests to learn more about this era of history.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best
Review: Having read the hardcover version of this book in the summer it was released it is good to see that the paperback version is available. Coming in at nearly 800 pages it is no easy weekend read but worth the time invested. Mr. Anderson has done extensive research, clarified inaccuracies in previous works by other authors on the life of Che and treats the subject of his life objectively. Mr.Anderson spent much of the time in Cuba rsearching this masterpiece, probably the dfinitive biography, with the help of Aleida March, his wife and her aide Maria del Carmen Ariet who together are probably the foremost experts on the life of Che Guevara. The story is complete from the birth of Che, his upbring and close relationship to his mother, the formative years, including his education and doctor training, his spirit for adventure as exemplified early on with his famous motorcycle excusion through South America, his fateful meeting with Fidel Castro and of course his participation in the overthrow of the Batista regime in Cuba and the aftermath which eventually would prove to be his demise. Many excellent reviews have been wriiten about this book and I only want to endorse the overwhelming positive majority and say that this book is a cut above the plethora of books about Che. If you have an interest in the life of one of the true revolutionary spirits of the 20th century this is a landmark book that answers many questions. An excellent book for the historian or someone just curious about the man known as Che. Mr. Anderson seperates fact from ficion and helps the reader understand the man from the myth. The human being is revealed and politics aside one comes away with compassion for the man who gave so much of himself, even his life,for the beliefs he held to be true. No greater love can a man display than to give of his life. Read this book, get to know Ernesto Guevara, the man known as Che.
Rating:
Summary: "most complete human being of our age" -- Sartre
Review: Anderson's biography of Che Guevara was passionately researched. Within the pages of this large book are the most detailed accounts of Che Guevara's life. The book begins with a history of Che's upbringing and forces you to realize how much this man was truly like any other man. Anderson finds importance in the travels Che makes as a young man across South America. Journeys which eventually became 'The Motorcycle Diaries'. Detail is given to the periods of life that influenced his radicalization. This was a man who felt deeply for the exploitation of his people. He dreamed of a tomorrow where man did not trample on one another through competition and greed. Che Guevara sacrificed his life for what he believed in. There is no death more honorable. In reading Jon Lee Anderson's biography of this enormous figure, you will fell sympathy for his cause, respect for his determination, and awe for his accomplishments on the battlefield and in his study.
Rating:
Summary: A Serviceable Biography
Review: The first major biography of "El Che" comes three decades after his death. It is well worth the 30 year wait. At times it can be a grueling read (750+ pages, what do you expect?), but it is evident that Anderson worked long and hard on this book. Very well-researched, and, as another reviewer stated, makes you question the authenticity of some of the documents. Honestly, how can anyone be so well-connected? It has no pro- or anti-Che tilt, which is good. A great biographer lets the facts speak for themselves, and that is what Anderson does. All in all, this is a well-researched, well-written, well-footnoted biography of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. I gave it an extra star because it is the only decent biography of Che to date.
Rating:
Summary: Che's world becomes your world
Review: At a little over 700 pages, this is an investment in time, but you won't regret one second of it. This is the quintessential reference book on Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Actual quotes from his amazing journals that he kept throughout his life, help explain this complex individual as he develops his political idealogy while exploring Latin America. I grew up terrified of Communist Cuba and not knowing why. I still don't condone communism, but I finally understand it a little better. It was interesting looking at the revolution through Che's eyes. Jon Lee Anderson did an amazing job of researching his subject. I'm in awe of the work he put into this project. I couldn't wait to get home from work and begin reading again. There was almost a sadness when I completed it. The sadness being that the CIA, whose presense in Latin America he despised, made the decision of whether he would live or die. By the time you get to the last part, YOU'RE pretty sick of the CIA, too. I cannot recommend this biography enough. Very well done, Mr. Anderson...
Rating: 
Summary: Awful
Review: Speaking as El Che or as my friends call me Chevara, I am very disappointed in this book. There is no mention of my secret recipe for fried chicken, second this is a really bad picture it doesn't do enough to accentuate my beautful hair or brown eyes, and lastly it leaves out the fact that I am an accomplished accordian and kazoo player. But enough about me, if you want a truely unforgettable book I recommend Private Parts, or Miss America both are brilliantly writen and provide invaluable leadership in these troubled times.
Rating:
Summary: 60's global icon humanized
Review: Of the four lengthy bios of Che released during an 18 month period Anderson is the best, bar none. Che, from just after the sucessful Cuban revolution until the mid 70's was the most famous person on the planet, much to the dismay (or belief) of many norteamericanos. Anderson gives a facinating and factually exhaustive narritive of Che's childhood, his education through medical school, his eye opening adventure from south to north on his Norton motorcycle, his visit with Peruvian miners and the political effect upon him as he witnessed the overthrow of the president of Guatamala (by the CIA at the behest of the United Fruit Company.) Anderson fills in much for the not-so-informed ready about Che's meeting with Fidel Castro and his embarking on the overloaded boat towards Cuba and his destiny. What began, one might even wonder, as almost a lark--new M.D., non-Cuban, a comfortable life assured back in Argentina--"signing on" as medic with a crew of poorly trained fighters lead by a lawyer.
Anderson, a regular writer for "The New Yorker" magazine, gives the reader a lesson in the successful display of a non-fiction author's goal: produce a text crammed with information, backed up by a huge supply of foot notes and end notes that snatches up the reader like a fat grocery store novel. A work three inches thick that has the reader, upon approaching the end, wishing the damn thing was 300 pages longer.
Although most norteamericanos, steeped in the Cold War anti-commuism of the time, would cringe at the thought, Che was, by name and that famous photo, the most recognizable person walking the planet. (The boondocks of China would hardly be able to produce many souls who would raise an eyebrow at the mention of names like Eisenhower, Dulles or deGaulle.) After his work in Cuba Anderson does a fine job of detailing Che's revolutionary work in East Africa, thence to Bolivia where he--broke, nearly starving, his figher's number down to a handful--was wounded, captured and murdered at the direction of a CIA case officer.
Che's naivate, his selflessness, his mistakes--appointed director of the Cuban national bank for God's sake--his confidence in the rightness of his mission, his refusal to fatten up his pocketbook with the (plentiful) spoils available following a capitalist government's demise are exhaustivly and entertainingly presented.
Anderson's mountain of material, his skill at its presentation in a lean yet complete way, makes this the best biography of a political/historical figure I have had the pleasure to read in the last fifty years.
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