Synopses & Reviews
A unique dual portrait shines new light on two of the most dramatic figures of the twentieth century. Drawing on sources in Cuba, Latin America, the United States, Europe, and Russia, and on material not available to previous biographers, Simon Reid-Henry has crafted a compelling portrait of a revolutionary era and the two men whose names and deeds personify it: Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. What began as an association of convenience would fundamentally shape their political visions, propelling them further than either had dared imagine. Ironically, though, their jointly conceived vision of revolution would ultimately force them to choose between friendship and their beliefs.
At a momentous turning point in Cuban history, Simon Reid-Henry offers a fascinating and original chronicle of two of the most powerful personalities in recent memory. Simon Reid-Henry is a lecturer at Queen Mary College, University of London. He has traveled often to Cuba, living there for a year while interviewing many senior figures on the island. He is regularly invited to speak on Cuba at international forums, and has written features for the Economist and the Times of London. This is his first book. He lives in London. Drawing on sources in Cuba, Latin America, the United States, Europe, and Russia, and on material not available to previous biographers, Simon Reid-Henry has crafted a compelling portrait of a revolutionary era and the two men whose names and deeds personify it: Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. What began as an association of convenience would fundamentally shape their political visions, propelling them further than either had dared imagine. Ironically, though, their jointly conceived vision of revolution would ultimately force them to choose between friendship and their beliefs. At a momentous turning point in Cuban history, Simon Reid-Henry offers a fascinating and original chronicle of two of the most powerful personalities in recent memory. "Reid-Henry writes with circumstantial detail, yielding, among other things, a touching inventory of the things Guevara carried: a photograph of his wife, copies of Marx and Lenin and an inhaler for asthma. Illuminates unexplored corners in the revolutionary history of Latin America and gives a sympathetic but not uncritical view of a genuine friendship."Kirkus Reviews "Reid-Henry writes with circumstantial detail, yielding, among other things, a touching inventory of the things Guevara carried: a photograph of his wife, copies of Marx and Lenin and an inhaler for asthma. Illuminates unexplored corners in the revolutionary history of Latin America and gives a sympathetic but not uncritical view of a genuine friendship."Kirkus Reviews
"[Fidel and Che] is an exciting, fast-paced history that finally has more to do with the revolutionary movement celebrating its 50th anniversary this year than with the relationship between Castro and Che Guevara. That relationship was one of revolutionary intellectualism and a deep trust. First-timer Reid-Henry explores Fidel's abiding faith in Guevara's abilities and strategies in an adventure story that often reads like fiction. Utilizing primary-source materials and interviews to construct the 12-year relationship between the two revolutionaries, he has created a memorable book."Library Journal
Synopsis
A unique dual portrait shines new light on two of the most dramatic figures of the twentieth century. Though Che Guevara has been dead for more than forty years, and Fidel Castro has drifted offstage, their names remain forever and dramatically linked, in history and in the imagination. Their coming to prominence together during the Cuban Revolution captivated a generation. For some, their romantic struggle for freedom still resonates; for others, they represent the last of a dying breed of rebel warriors. Yet for all that has been written about them, surprisingly little has been revealed about the twelve years of their unique and highly consequential relationship, during which they linked arms in one of the worlds most remarkable revolutionary movements.
Drawing on sources in Cuba, Latin America, the U nited States, Europe, and Russia, and on material not available to previous biographers, Simon Reid-Henry has crafted a compelling portrait of a revolutionary era and the two men whose names and deeds personify it. From their childhoods in Cuba and Argentina; to the safe houses of Mexico Citys political underground, where they met in 1955; to the theater of war in the Cuban mountains and their utterly improbable overthrow of the Batista regime; to the paneled offices of their new government and the epic confrontations with the U nited States during the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban missile crisis; to their dramatic and painful split and Ches subsequent death at the hands of the CIA; Reid-Henry blends an intimate knowledge of Castros and G uevaras private lives and friendship into a gripping chronicle of their times. What began as an association of convenience would fundamentally shape their political visions, propelling them further than either had dared imagine. Ironically, though, their jointly conceived vision of revolution would ultimately force them to choose between friendship and their beliefs.
At a momentous turning point in Cuban history, Simon Reid-Henry offers a fascinating and original chronicle of two of the most powerful personalities in recent memory.
Synopsis
A unique dual portrait shines new light on two of the most dramatic figures of the twentieth century. Drawing on sources in Cuba, Latin America, the United States, Europe, and Russia, and on material not available to previous biographers, Simon Reid-Henry has crafted a compelling portrait of a revolutionary era and the two men whose names and deeds personify it: Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. What began as an association of convenience would fundamentally shape their political visions, propelling them further than either had dared imagine. Ironically, though, their jointly conceived vision of revolution would ultimately force them to choose between friendship and their beliefs.
At a momentous turning point in Cuban history, Simon Reid-Henry offers a fascinating and original chronicle of two of the most powerful personalities in recent memory.
Synopsis
At a momentous turning point in Cuban history, Reid-Henry offers a fascinating and original chronicle of two of the most powerful, dramatic personalities of the 20th century.
About the Author
Simon Reid-Henry is a lecturer at Queen Mary College, University of London. He has traveled often to Cuba, living there for a year while interviewing many senior figures on the island. He is regularly invited to speak on Cuba at international forums, and has written features for the Economist and the Times of London. This is his first book. He lives in London.