Episodes of the Cuban Revolutionary War, 1956-58 [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Ernesto Guevara (Author), Mary-Alice Waters (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0873488245 | ISBN-13: 978-0873488242 | Publication Date: February 1, 1996 | Edition: 1st

A firsthand account of the military campaigns and political events that culminated in the January 1959 popular insurrection that overthrew the U.S.-backed dictatorship in Cuba. With clarity and humor, Guevara describes his own political education. He explains how the struggle transformed the men and women of the Rebel Army and July 26 Movement led by Fidel Castro. And how these combatants forged a political leadership capable of guiding millions of workers and peasants to open the socialist revolution in the Americas. Guevara's Episodes appears here complete for the first time in English.

Also available in: Spanish

Editorial Reviews

Review

Corrects hundreds of little errors that have crept into the Che Guevara essays; it also fully identifies figures alluded to or previously identified only by noms de guerre. Photographs, a glossary of terms, an order-of-battle chart, and rosters of names with minibiographies make this work mandatory reading for students of the Cuban Revolution. --Hispanic American Historical Review

A convenient addition to the literature on the Cuban revolution.... [T]his edition has some previously unpublished material, a very good introduction, a chronology of events, a series of excellent photographs, and a detailed list of individuals mentioned in the Guevara writings. --Choice

Episodes is interesting as both a historical document and a profile of the personalities involved in Revolutionary Cuba. It shows us how the men and women of the Rebel army were transformed by their experiences and how the rebels forged a political leadership capable of guiding the first socialist revolution in the Americas. --Committee on U.S.-Latin American Relations

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Spanish

Product Details

• Paperback: 520 pages
• Publisher: Pathfinder Press (NY); 1st edition (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873488245
• ISBN-13: 978-0873488242
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #464,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ernesto Che Guevara was born in Argentina in 1928. After fighting alongside Fidel Castro in the three-year guerilla war in Cuba, he became Minister for Industry following the victory of the Cuban revolution. In 1966 he established a guerilla base in Bolivia. He was captured and killed in 1967.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Che should have been an author!, January 24, 2002

By 

Christopher (Melbourne, VIC Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Episodes of the Cuban Revolutionary War, 1956-58 (Paperback)

Che's unique and splendid writting style manifests itself in this excellent book, detailing the myriad battles and episodes of the Cuban Revolution. A must for all!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Firsthand account of how revolutions and their leaders are made, September 24, 2005

By 

M. Norman Oliver - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Episodes of the Cuban Revolutionary War, 1956-58 (Paperback)

"Episodes of the Cuban Revolutionary War, 1956-58" is Ernesto Guevara’s own account of the final 2 years of the revolutionary war that led to the first socialist revolution of the Americas. Ernesto “Che” Guevara, born in Argentina in 1928, became a central leader of the Cuban revolution of 1959. Many people in the United States today know only a romanticized version of this outstanding communist leader through such things as the recent film, “The Motorcycle Diaries.” "Episodes" is an unexaggerated, honest account of how the last years of the Cuban revolutionary war were conducted. This marvelous book tells the real story of how the young, adventurous Ernesto Guevara – whose compassion for and interest in the peoples of Latin America shows even in “The Motorcycle Diaries” – became Che Guevara, the committed, Marxist leader. Full of warmth, eloquence, and, at times, poetic sensibilities, Che’s diaries show us how the Cuban communist leadership was forged in battle; how the revolutionary combatants cemented bonds with peasants in the countryside and with workers in the cities; and how a popular revolutionary government was built on these foundations. This book is a must-read for any revolutionary minded fighter today.

5.0 out of 5 stars First hand account of the Cuban Revolution, October 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Episodes of the Cuban Revolutionary War, 1956-58 (Paperback)

First, a great book! Second, the author is none other than Che Guevara. Third, humorously and eloquently written, Che explains a revolutionary's fight for a better life in Cuba leading up to the victory in 1959! A must read for any Che or Cuba fan!