Companero: The Life and Death of Che Guevara

By Jorge G. Castañeda

Book Overview

By the time he was killed in the jungles of Bolivia, where his body was displayed like a deposed Christ, Ernesto "Che" Guevara had become a synonym for revolution everywhere from Cuba to the barricades of Paris. This extraordinary biography peels aside the veil of the Guevara legend to reveal the charismatic, restless man behind it. Drawing on archival materials from three continents and on interviews with Guevara's family and associates, Castaneda follows Che from his childhood in the Argentine middle class through the years of pilgrimage that turned him into a committed revolutionary. He examines Guevara's complex relationship with Fidel Castro, and analyzes the flaws of character that compelled him to leave Cuba and expend his energies, and ultimately his life, in quixotic adventures in the Congo and Bolivia. A masterpiece of scholarship, Companero is the definitive portrait of a figure who continues to fascinate and inspire the world over.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679759409
• ISBN13: 9780679759409
• Release Date: October 1998
• Publisher: Vintage
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

One of the best biographies

Having read about half a dozen biographies on Che Guevara (written by a myriad of authors with different perspectives & objectives), I can confidently say that it is Castaneda, an eminent political scientist, who has written the most elegant and constructive evaluation of the life of Che Guevara. Although the book lacks the baroque detail of, say, Anderson's or Taibos' acclaimed biographies, Castaneda makes a moving and profound analysis. And unlike Anderson, who, as a somewhat mercenary journalist, comes across as calculating and contrived in his so-called "objectivity", Castaneda's sincerity shines like a beacon. The only negative point of "Companero" is that the first half of the book appears to be somewhat rushed compared to the dazzling second half. Castaneda clearly prefers to write about Che Guevara from 1959 onwards. However, this criticism does not detract me from giving this book the five stars it deserves. Because "Companero" is more of an "evaluation" than a full-blown biography, it lacks the detail of Anderson's, or the profound intimacy of Taibo's, books, so if you have time, read at least one of these first. Another book I would highly recommend is the newly-released "Evocacion", written by Che Guevara's widow, containing a selection of previously-unpublished letters, including a heartrending, prophetic and immensely revealing poem written to her before he died. I can only presume that Castaneda, Anderson and Taibo's biographies would have been quite different had the authors come across this material at the time of writing their books. In fact, I suspect that Che Guevara's wife decided to finally release it after reading these biographies (notably Anderson's) - in order to close the circle once and for all.

una biografia completa pero carente de emocion

El Che fue sin duda un personaje contradictorio, por un lado el revolucionario idealista, por el otro un frio burocrata manejado por la disciplina. Esta biografia lo describe como el ser humano que era, inclusive sus fallas, que al fin lo condenaron a un tragico fin. Aunque el autor cubre un campo imenso con sus multiples entrevistas y sinumero de referencias, la objetividad sin embargo, resulta en una biografia carente de emocion. Esta es una biografia cientifica, y hace falta un poco de brio para dar vida a un personaje tan lleno de suenos e idealismo.

a no spin look at Che Guevara

I was tired of seeing his face on all the t-shirts (as I am a college student) and not knowing just who Che was. Having read Castaneda's book, I now feel that I can say with confidence that I understand why Che's face has become such a countercultural symbol. Castaneda has definitely done his homework in preparing to write this compelling account of Guevara's life and death. The author does not attempt to glorify the revolutionary or to paint him as a villian, but rather provides the reader with details from both camps in order to allow him or her to make their own decision. The Che that emerges is a superb visionary and one of the few truly pure Marxist socialist leaders of the modern era, a throwback to the Bulsheviks of the early 20th century. This book has encouraged me to read more into Che's theories, and is one that I absolutely recommend to anyone, especially those readers who would tend to quickly denounce socialism due to there familiarity only with the corrupt brand practisted by the Soviet and Chinese camps. If only more of us were like Che Guevara in sticking with our convictions no matter what they may be!

Che for grown-ups

Castaneda's is by far the best work yet done on the subject, not only better written, but also more penetrating and authoritative than either of the other recent big bios--and all at something like half the length. Also, though Castaneda clearly admires Che, his insights and conclusions are still clear-eyed and uncompromising. This is Che for grown-ups, a real-life saint, as exasperating as he is inspiring, and all the more compelling for it. No lie, since reading this I can't think about the guy without getting a lump in my throat. So hasta siempre, Commandante... wherever you are.

El libro mas objetivo que existe sobre el CHE

Este libro presenta de forma organizada la vida del Che desde su nacimiento hasta su muerte y la situacion politica,economica familiar que le rodeaba.Va mas alla de la leyenda para ver el hombre y el revolucionario detras de ella.Analiza en una forma objetiva sus pensamientos y su trascendencia despues de su muerte.En fin creo que quien quiera conocer la figura del Che,este es un excelente libro para hacerlo.