The African Dream: The diaries of the Revolutionary War in the Congo (Paperback)

by Ernesto "Che" Guevara (Author), Patrick Camiller (Translator), Richard Gott (Introduction), Aleida Guevara March (Foreword) "In a story of this kind, it is difficult to locate the first act..." (more)
Key Phrases: lakeside base, public health minister, middle cadres, Front de Force, Tremendo Punto, Upper Base (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
"This is the history of a failure." With these words, Guevara, the Cuban revolutionary and leftist icon killed in Bolivia in 1967, launches into a brutally honest account of Cuba's disastrous 1965 intervention in Congo. Guevara traveled to Congo to foment a Communist revolution in a country that then as now was in a state of anarchy. But as he readily admits, he was unable to mobilize his Cuban forces and Congolese allies into a cohesive force. Much of the blame he lays at the feet of the Congolese, "the poorest example of a fighter that I have ever come across to now." But Guevara's ruminations about the frustrations of his insurgency are only part of these "war diaries." Guevara's correspondence with Congolese guerrilla leaders is also included, as are his often negative comments on these leaders. Throughout, Guevara, who was trained as a doctor, displays the analytical mind that made him famous. For example, in hindsight, his prediction that Laurent Kabila was the only guerrilla leader with the potential to rise to the top looks prescient, since Kabila ruled the Congo for a time in the 1990s. Readers looking for an introduction to Che will want to consult the recent comprehensive biography by journalist Jon Lee Anderson but no matter their ideology, readers will find that these writings further their understanding of one of the late 20th century's most intriguing historical figures. 8 pages b&w photos not seen by PW.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
In June 1960, the Congo gained independence from Belgium following dramatic events led by left-wing Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. Following the assassination of Lumumba, Cuban revolutionary Guevara traveled incognito to the Congo to put his guerrilla theories and tactics to work for the Congolese people. These brutally honest, unabridged journals illuminate a two-year period (1965-67) during which he trained left-wing soldiers fighting to wrestle the Congo from the imperialists. Trained as a physician and a member of Fidel Castro's government, Guevara understood the limitations that life imposes on humans and the sacrifices demanded in guerrilla warfare. Here he shares his experiences in Congolese training camps, chronicles the challenge (and ultimate failure) of spreading Cuban political ideology, and sheds light on his relationships with fellow revolutionaries, including a young Laurent Kabila and Fidel Castro. An honest, detailed account of the life and work of a great 20th-century revolutionary, this work completes Guevara's life story. Recommended for specialized collections in large public and academic libraries. Sylvia D. Hall-Ellis, Denver P.L.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Grove Press (October 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802138349
• ISBN-13: 978-0802138347
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #244,424 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #11 in	Books > History > Africa > Democratic Republic of Congo
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, December 7, 2005

By	sigfpe "sigfpe" (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

While it might not have been intended as such this is actually a pretty funny read. 'Che' may have been motivated by high ideals but in his diaries he documents the nitty gritty of daily life and the trials of trying to whip a revolutionary army into shape. Frequently beset by attacks of 'the runs' (many times a day) and having to deal with Congolese soldiers who wanted nothing more than to run away from the first sign of trouble unless they had consumed their magic drink that made them impervious to bullets, the campaign seems to have been doomed from the start. If you want to get a different view of the reality of revolution from that presented in manifestos this strikingly honest diary seems like a great place to start.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comments on "The African Dream", October 23, 2007

By	Andrea D (NY, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

I must commend Guevara for his courage and idealism. I also believe that the diary was a candid appraisal of the circumstances and events of the Congo war in 1965. The book is easy read, interesting, and at times funny (his description of the Congolese guerrillas shooting with their eyes shut was hilarious.) The book is not overburdened with ideological mombo-jombo.

Having read a detailed history of the Cuban Insurrection (Bonachea), the History of the Cuban Revolution (Thomas), and Guevara's own Bolivian Diary (which is also a very interesting book), I find Guevara to be a much better writer than he was military commander.

My reasoning is the following: The books speak for themselves; they are reasonably well written and honest. On the other hand, his military career started with a triumph; the Cuban Revolution. There was a country-wide insurrection going on in Cuba by the time both Castro and Guevara landed in Oriente in 1956. While most other anti-Batista leaders were killed during the next two years, Castro and Guevara survived to lead the insurrection to victory against the terminally corrupt and incompetent army of Batista at the end of 1958. As the old say goes: "the courage of your enemy honors you"...not much honor in that triumph. Batista's troops did not fight.

Six years later Guevara abandons everything in his quest for other struggles and revolutionary glory. It is now 1965 and he goes to Congo. He clearly (from his writings) counted on his fame rallying all the guerrillas to his banner and do an encore of the Cuban rout of 1958. He was wrong on both counts. Government troops fought well. He had to flee and he blamed the Congolese. Then he tried again in Bolivia. Once more he faced a determined enemy, his ego alienated the Bolivian communists, he blamed the Bolivians, and met his end.

Guevara was more of a Robespierre than of an Alexander.
But the book is good.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Liberal Icon???, April 10, 2009

By	S. L. Clemens "Citizen of the world" (Earth) - See all my reviews

President Obama's "Che" seems to feel our president's African lineage is a disability. As in one of the other reviews, this tome reads like a comedy and slaps the collective, "pun intended," faces of liberals, socialists, Marxists and revolutionaries et.al. every where. Their hero it turns out discovered something that looking at present day Africa proves. Decide for yourselves what that actually is after you read this book. Equality for all and power to the people? I think not according to the left's beloved Che. As with everything liberal / socialist, hypocrisy seethes from this latter day hero of the "masses." I will say this though, the truth will set you free and if you dare, a conversation about race dot com. Bottom line... funny read.
"I am shocked! Absolutely shocked! heh heh..."