Che Guevara: You Win or You Die

"Stuart Kallen's latest biography chronicles the life of the notorious Latin American revolutionary leader, Che Guevara. This fascinating story takes the reader to a controversial and confusing time period in Latin American history. Guevara, who helped overthrow the Cuban dictatorship in 1959, was sought by many powerful organizations around the world. The story is told through a mix of prose, newspaper articles, and b&w photos. The graphic nature of some photos would make this appropriate for middle and high school students. To keep readers engaged, the author uses creative page layouts with photos, sidebars, and cool fonts. This book would be a great resource for information about Latin America and to teach students the importance of primary sources." --Library Media Connection

"How did a wealthy, asthmatic boy from Argentina grow up to become a famous Communist revolutionary?

Ernesto 'Che' Guevara Lynch Jr. was born in Rosario, Argentina, on June 14, 1928, the son of well-to-do parents who were members of Argentina's upper classes. The Guevara home was filled with books, and Ernesto grew up reading philosophy, poetry, politics and history. Though a good student, he tired of school and set off on travels that opened his eyes to the grinding poverty throughout South America and to the corrupting influences of the United States-based Anaconda Copper Mining Company, the United Fruit Company, the CIA and the American government itself. U.S.-backed bombing raids in Guatemala in 1954 further radicalized Guevara, and he soon became involved in the Cuban revolution. Fidel Castro made Guevara an honorary Cuban citizen and put him in charge of the Cuban economy and the training of the armed forces. In 1962, Guevara invited the Soviets to build military bases in Cuba, precipitating the Cuban Missile Crisis. Through its focus on one major figure, Kallen's fascinating work explores a large segment of 20th-century history. Maps, photographs and sidebars are excellent, though the defining of key terms in the middle of sentences is distracting and, moreover, unnecessary since a glossary is provided.

A fine introduction to Latin American history and the ideas of capitalism, socialism and communism. (timeline, who's who, source notes, bibliography, further reading, index)" --Kirkus Reviews

"Was Che Guevara a romantic, selfless revolutionary? This lively biography explores the guerilla leader's public image, and readers will be held by the personal politics as well as by the political history of the cold war and 1960s revolution. After a privileged youth, Guevara became politically active after his motorcycle trip across Latin America, where he witnessed poverty and despair in a continent rich in resources. This volume's focus is on Guevara's role with Castro in guerilla war and the Cuban revolution, as well as his call for a united Latin America, until finally he was assassinated with the cooperation of the CIA. Interspersed with quotes from his diary entries and from CIA files and newspaper reports over the years, Kallen's narrative is objective and clear, and the accessible design includes numerous photos and screened inserts, which are fully documented in the extensive back matter. Teens reading for research or personal interest will be drawn to the icon, the action, and the issues." --Booklist

"Guevara was, and is, an iconic figure of revolutionary movements everywhere. His passion for economic justice was legendary, and his determination to fight capitalism was unwavering. This biography, with a focus on how Guevara grew into his revolutionary ideals, describes a middle-class, educated upbringing that allowed, and encouraged, young Che to explore all avenues, eventually leading to a degree in medicine. Eschewing life as a doctor, he traveled in Latin America, where his encounters with peasants helped form his ideology. In Guatemala he met Fidel Castro, and together they led a bloody, and ultimately successful, revolution against a brutal dictator in Cuba, cementing a global reputation as a hero to some, and an enemy of businesses and capitalism in the United States and its allies. The narrative is accessible and compelling, and a solid introduction to the life and times of Guevara, providing both detail and context to a complicated, thoughtful man. Black-and-white photographs offer a good visual supplement and help explain part of the mystique surrounding the handsome, charismatic Guevara. Extensive back batter, including a Who's Who section and a summarizing time line, will be especially helpful to researchers. A solid choice for any library." --School Library Journal