The controversial life and career of Ernesto Ché Guevara (1928-1967) has earned the revolutionary leader admirers and detractors across the world. This biography penetrates the myths that have grown up around Guevara since his death. The author carefully analyzes the Cold War situations in which Guevara lived and fought, and which turned the young medical student into a guerilla and political theoretician. This volume includes interviews with Guevara's first wife, and extensive information on the revolutionary's early years and family life lacking in other biographies. The author also discusses Guevara's actions in Cuba as a leader in the rebel army of Fidel Castro, covering in detail Guevara's military victories, his post-war executions of anti-Castro prisoners, and his criticism of Soviet Communism. This unsparing portrait of Guevara even includes and an in-depth examination of his last guerilla campaign in Bolivia.

Death of a revolutionary, birth of a myth -- Adventurers from the Pampas -- The making of Quixote -- In search of revolution -- Ché Commandante -- Quixote in power -- Tilting at Washington -- The break with Fidel -- From Brazzaville to Nancahuazu -- Inside the Foco -- Prelude to disaster -- The last campaign -- How a "Vietnam" was averted -- Did Fidel betray Ché? -- Does Ché live? -- Appendixes. The May 18, 1967 message to Fidel Castro -- David Kahn : The Ché Guevara cipher.