This was a fantastic book on the relationship and history of Fidel & Che. Both of these men need to be studied together as their rise to power was brought about the characteristics and actions of these men in combination with each other. ( )

This book sets out to be a biography about the relationship between Fidel Castro and Che. I found it to be a bit dry and not especially engaging. The information itself was ok but not really anything new. ( )

Most of what I know about Cuba comes from the week or two we spent studying Cuba in World History back in high school and the paragraph or two that accompanies any NY Times or Newsweek article giving context to whatever latest outrage between the US and Cuba happens to be. As this is a biography, and not a history, this book focuses more on Fidel Castro and Che Guevara's personal relationship and how that relationship shaped their political fortunes, but there is plenty of back-story and provides a good history of the Cuban revolution. The overall tone is very even handed, with Castro and Che being neither demonized as horrible monsters nor put on a pedestal as revolutionary heroes and saviors. Having finished it, I feel that I have a much better handle on the history and motivations of the Cuban communist revolution. ( )

A very well written biography of two of the most well known revolutionaries in Cuba. I liked the neutral tone set by the author, and you do not need to be a history buff to enjoy this book. There were a lot of interesting facts for me, a relative newbie to Fidel Castra. I read Motorcycle Diaries, so I know a little about Che's early life, and this book definitely shed some new light on this man. ( )

I was unable to write this review at first, as I was uncertain if I should be reviewing the book that was written or the book that the writer wanted to write. Simon Reid-Henry wanted to write a history of the friendship between the two driving forces of the Cuban Revolution, and how their friendship surmounted the obstacles caused by victory.

Most other authors have written from the viewpoint that after achieving power, Fidel Castro concentrated on governance while Che Guevara wanted to export the revolution to Africa and South America. Reid-Henry’s view is that the acrimonious separation between the two was mostly for show, what a later generation would term “plausible deniability”. Since the principles involved never talked, the evidence seems skimpy. Also, the narrative suffers since Reid-Henry understandably leaves out most other major characters in the revolution. For instance, Raul Castro does not appear until just before the assault on the Moncada Barracks. Yet he had been a communist for years, and as Fidel’s brother presumably had a longer influence on his thinking. Many authors feel that Fidel Castro was radicalized long before Guevara had joined the Cuban Revolution, and that he (Castro) had not acted before, so he could keep his options open within traditional Cuban politics. Since Guevara joined just at the outbreak of the armed struggle, when traditional politics ended, Reid-Henry feels that this shows the extent of Guevara’s influence.

While the book was perhaps not convincing of the author’s viewpoint, it is still a good read. Many of the episodes recounted do seem to illuminate the relationship between Castro and Guevara.

The pre-publication copy sent for reviewing had its share of typos, and there were no maps or index. My one serious quibble is with the constant use of first names. Once Camilo Cienfuegos, or Calica Ferrer enters the story, there is no further use of last names. (Oddly, the only person this seems not to apply to is Batista.) I find this modern trend rather irritating. (Will the index list by first names also?) ( )

A good solid biography of these two iconic revolutionaries. But not a lot of new ground covered here. ( )

As I've recently returned from Argentina, "Fidel and Che" addressed a topic of great interest to me and provided a directed look into leftist politics throughout Latin America in the mid-20th century. The descriptions of the truly international formation of our title characters opened my eyes to ways that "Latin America" exists as a transnational category, although the political histories of its nations vary extensively. This dual biography represents a relatively friendly approach to these divisive leftist leaders, which is a useful corrective to other recent and harsher biographies.
While reading, I was constantly reminded of "The Boys From Dolores," a much more readable (although anti-Castro to the point that I begin to question its usefulness) group biography of Castro's classmates at a Cuban prep school. The audience of this book is a little unclear--the book wavers between the precise details and footnotes expected for a scholarly audience, and the sweeping generalizations that characterize popular history. Despite this unevenness, the book held my interest as long as I skipped a few pages every now and again, and I learned a lot from it.

Mr. Reid-Henry has composed a compelling primer on the state of revolutionary politics in Cuba in the late 1950’s and the 1960’s. The writer uses duel portraits of Fidel Castro and Ernesto (Che) Guevara to plot first their symbiotic objectives for the Cuban revolt and secondly their divergence over Cuba’s post-revolution relations with the Soviet Union and finally Castro’s betrayal of Guevara when he pulled the rug from under his ill-fated mission to Bolivia.

Contrary to the opinion in the excellent Che Guevera: A Revolutionary Life by Jon Lee Anderson as well as Tad Szulc’s Fidel: A Critical Portrait , Reid-Henry concludes there was no acrimony between Castro and Guevara. Both Anderson and Szulc expound at length there was bitterness that marked the years prior to Guevara’s departure to the Congo. The Congo and Bolivia - both misguided ventures were disasters in part because Castro abandoned Guevara logistically. However the author insists that cordial relations and extreme respect continued to exist between the two comrades.

Despite the differing views of the state of relations between Castro and Guevara, Reid-Henry has put together a vivid and absorbing re-creation of Castro and his revolt in Cuba. Che Guevara and Fidel Castro are genuine towering icons of the 20th century. ( )

Simon Reid-Henry has done a LOT of research in putting together this book and it shows. It is well-documented and uses a wealth of primary sources. But for those for whom that is not an issue, and for those who know nothing about either Che Guevara or Fidel Castro, or about revolutionary politics in Cuba or Latin America, it is a good place to begin.

The author has put together not only a biography of the two, but supplies his readers with a look at the history of the course of the revolution in Cuba under Castro, and how the revolution in Cuba was to be a jumping-off point for revolution throughout Latin America. The book also explains how Cuba came to be associated with the USSR after relations with America came to a head, even though Che, definitely the more ideologically-bent revolutionary, tried to warn Castro (much more pragmatic in terms of keeping his own power and his country running) that dealing with any large imperialist power would continue to keep Cuba under another country's thumb. There's a lot of information here that, no matter what your politics, will keep you reading up until the end. I do have to say though that historically it's been believed that Che and Fidel parted on very bad terms, and here the author makes a very different claim.

The book is very well written and it's very readable. I must say, however, that this will not probably appeal to a large section of general readership just because it's so specialized. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in the topics of revolution in Latin America, Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, and Cuba. ( )

I liked the way it began with Fidel and Che with their men about to board the Granma to begin their fateful journey to Cuba to start the revolution, then cuts back to their individual childhoods to help understand how they got there. They were extraordinarily determined, resilient, and focused; and that is what made them the legendary figures that they are.

Despite the dozen or so typos, this was an extremely enjoyable read. Simon Reid-Henry must have done an amazing amount of research. It is extremely detailed with only a few (admitted) speculations.

I would recommend this book to anyone, even if you aren't interested in the history of the Cuban revolution or even interested in Fidel or Che, you will benefit from this very well written account of two men that wanted a better life for the Cuban people and suppressed people everywhere. ( )

You don't have to be espeically into history or politics to really enjoy this book.

The best thing here is the neutral point of view. Many books about one or another of these men are simply soapboxes for their authors, or worse. And as history books go, this is unusually enjoyable to read, lively and colorful without being sensationalistic. The occasional well-chosen detail is invariably footnoted, which increases one's trust in the accuracy of the telling. Strongly recommended.

I found the book to be a fascinating look at two extraordinary people. The book worked on numerous levels. As a dual biography, it presented new intimate information and painted a full portrait of each of them and their friendship. As a history of the revolution and and Cuba, it once again gave a full and detailed picture, particularly up until Che's death. The book suggests that neither would have been nearly so effective or great without the other. They checked each others excesses, and spurred each other on. Likewise, the history of that time can be best understood by encompassing the influence of both men. No matter what one thinks of the Cuban revolution, Simon Reid-Henry presents an engaging and interesting story. ( )

I closed this book aware of their differences. Che was more complex, more daring, trying to accompany his actions with reflections on paper, a poet not a politician, still lugging books in the ravines of Bolivia. Both men, often in military fatigues, harked back to the novice days in the Sierra, but only Che tried to recapture these thrills as a barbudo on the road again. As embodied in this cleverly constructed dual biography, their friendship in revolution emanates an aura of nostalgia, of a golden age.

Jason Wilson is professor emeritus of Latin American literature at UCL