2-17-06, 9:07 am
CHE Guevara once said that 'a true revolutionary is motivated by feelings of deep love' and, by all accounts, he certainly practised what he preached.
If further proof were needed, then this short life story, first published after his murder in Bolivia in 1968, provides more than enough testimony in the words of his comrades and leading figures from around the world.
In this new edition, Andrew Sinclair, who was acclaimed by Che's motorcycle companion Alberto Granado for his short biography of Cuba's guerrilla hero, draws on his first-hand experiences to reveal how Guevara's death and example led to the student riots of 1968, particularly in France, Britain and the US.
He also includes Fidel Castro's speech on Guevara's death, along with Inti Peredo's insistence that the struggle would continue.
Described by Jean-Paul Sartre as 'the most complete man of his age,' Ernesto Che Guevara continues to be an icon for all those struggling to make another world possible, especially in Latin America, where Simon Bolivar's vision of a united continent is taking shape with the election of progressive governments and the participation of the people.
As Sinclair concludes, 'When the general in Viva Zapata! looks down on the riddled corpse of the dead guerilla leader, he says: 'Sometimes a dead man can be a terrible enemy.'
'For the rich nations of the earth and for the corrupt governments that rule many of the poor nations, the dead Che is a terrible and a beautiful enemy.'
With a plethora of illustrations and photographs, including revolutionary Cuban posters in full colour, Viva Che! is an essential addition to the bookshelf of those interested in this enduring icon and his legacy.
Extensive quotes by notable figures such as Castro, Haydee Santamaria and Guevara himself are complemented by other significant voices representing a wider spectrum of universal acclaim.
Among these are Graham Greene, Stokely Carmichael, Robert Lowell, Susan Sontag and Italo Calvino.
Finally, the book is sprinkled liberally with poems from across the world that include a couple by the Cuban communist poet Nicolas Guillen, a moving tribute by the US Catholic contemplative Thomas Merton and lengthy contributions from Britain's own Alan Sillitoe and Ted Willis.
As a re-release of the first book to be published on Guevara in the politically charged year of 1968 when the world looked set to be on the verge of revolutionary change, this is the only contemporary portrait of the international icon and, as such, captures perfectly the spirit of those times.
With his additional material, Sinclair not only vindicates the continuing relevance of Guevara for today but also affirms the veracity of his words and actions with the passing of time. If ever there were an essential purchase, this is it.
From Morning Star
