Rating: 
Summary: A True Hero of the Left
Review: The fog of time and the strength of anti-anti-Communism have obscured the real Che. Who was he? He was an Argentinian revolutionary who served as Castro's primary thug. He was especially infamous for presiding over summary executions at La Cabaña, the fortress that was his abattoir. He liked to administer the coup de grâce, the bullet to the back of the neck. And he loved to parade people past El Paredón, the reddened wall against which so many innocents were killed. Furthermore, he established the labor-camp system in which countless citizens--dissidents, democrats, artists, homosexuals--would suffer and die. This is the Cuban gulag. A Cuban-American writer, Humberto Fontova, described Guevara as "a combination of Beria and Himmler." Anthony Daniels once quipped, "The difference between [Guevara] and Pol Pot was that [the former] never studied in Paris." - Jay Nordlinger
Rating: 
Summary: A Useful Book, But Cynical; Read Che
Review: This is a well researched book with a lot of useful information. It totally explodes the reactionary myth that Fidel Castro was responsible for Che Guevara's death.
But it focuses too much on his personal life, gives the impression that he was an adventurer, and is overall quite cynical.
It also slanders Raul Castro, claiming that after the victory of the revolution, he ordered members of Batista's army slaughtered. This slander has no source given, and in fact the humane treatment of Batista's soldiers by the Rebel Army won some to the revolution, and neutralized many more.
I suggest reading Che himself, especially Episodes of the Cuban Revolutionary War, Che Guevara Speaks, Che Guevara Talks to Young People, and the Pathfinder edition of the Bolivian Diary, which has an 80 page account of Che as leader by Inti Peredo, one of the Bolivian combatants.
Rating:
Summary: An imposing but inspirational read
Review: This heavy, but not heavy-handed, biography of Che Guevara is destined to be the definitive version of the man's life. Taking on this text without having first read his writings or other biographies, this was probably the best set-up for doing so, as everything else I read by him will be contextualized in the most historical and comprehensive manner.
Some of the other reviewers have complained about the book length and its intricacy; however, the details (which, yes, at times can be mind-numbing in their fullness) indicate the extent to which Che's life was a culmination of extremely complex histories of the time: Cold War hysteria, U.S. arrogance towards foreign policy, effects of colonization, the Vietanm conflicts, et cetera. If anything they point to the fact that Che Guevara is not simply a mascot for any fledging revolutionary or aspiring guerilla, nor an enemy of "those who love freedom" (to quote George W. Bush), but like any other martyr-hero-devil in history, full of faults and inspiring actions.
Good luck reading. In these times of unquestioning allegiances to religion and the state, it is worthwhile to read about those who have challenged them, while also keeping in mind how to prevent ourselves from falling victim to the same.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Starter book on Che
Review: This is the first book on Che Guevara that I read and it is an excellent way to get the whole story, before moving on to other works. I followed this up with reading Jorge Castaneda's "Companero", and the combination of the two is outstanding. I would suggest reading Anderson's book first as it has more detail, and then moving on to Castaneda's.
This book very well written, well researched and up to date. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Troublemaker
Review: First off, the recipes in this book are no bueno -- the Colonel makes chicken better than this, and that ain't saying much. Second, Che is still riding Fidel's coattails. Che was the Ethel to Castro's Lucy Ball.... Maybe smarter, but lacking in kooky charm... that we can feel superior yet protective toward. Che is boring, and his words seem antiquated today. 800 pages is way too much, for someone so unfunny... and an elite background at that... save the drama for your mama ,Che!
Rating:
Summary: A Revolutionary Life
Review: Ernesto "Che" Guevara was a revolutionary. He was born in Argentina but never called the country home after his college years, studying medicine. Through his travels during his college years, he became aware of the povery and inequality in South America. This inspired him to fight for the equality he felt Marxism would bring. Che is known for his effect on the communist revolution in Cuba. He also fought in falied revolutions in Congo and Bolivia. It is safe to say that he is a man who impacted the world even if you do not agree with his political views. He is the man who invented guerrilla warfare.John Lee Anderson's book is the definitive book on Che Guevara. At times, it is almost too detailed with its nearly 800 page length. In reality, a book being too detailed is a compliment. The pictures he chose to include in the text are outstanding. Many of the pictures have been in CIA possession for years, and unseen to the public. While not directly a goal of the book, I enjoyed the insight this book gives into the relationship between Che and Fidel Castro. Anderson lets the reader draw conclusions rather than telling the reader what to think. While Castro believed in communism, Guevara was held policies more closely to the writing of Karl Marx. Che was willing to criticize policy if he felt it was not "Marxist enough". Unlike Castro, Che was willing to criticize the Soviet Union leaders for not living in the true equality that communism is intended to be. Despite Cuba's rivalry with the United States, I found it odd that more was not mentioned about the Cuba Missle Crisis. Guevara detested the United States, so it seems he would have had more to say in the matter. If he did have more to say, little is mentioned in the book. Because of its length, readers need some spare time to take in this whole book. The thoroughness of the product makes reading this book a rewarding experience.
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.
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