Guerrilla Warfare by Ernesto "Che" Guevara Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Guerrilla Warfare
Book Review: How does it end? He dies.
Summary: 2 Stars
This guy was educated, but not smart enough to follow his own preaching. He separated himself from his popular base, communist/leftist college students, and went out to help aid the people. If he had paid attention in Guerilla Warfare 101 (read: On Guerilla Warfare by Mao Tse Tung) he would done more than fight in the wilderness.
Guerilla tactics involve (as most everyone knows now) convincing as many civilians, proletariat or not, to fight by your standard. Che only became a martyr when photos of his corpse, incidentally posed Christ-like, were released to a largely Catholic public.
Book Review: Interesting but Flawed
Summary: 4 Stars
"Guerilla Warfare" explains well the method by which guerilla armies obtain their arms, using their enemy as their suppliers through hit and run captures of armaments. An overview of guerilla organization and methodology is provided. However, Che's personal experience seems to be his only source. The book lacks insights from the experiences of others in similar but culturally different and technologically different circumstances. Che makes universal inferences from his narrow experience. When he himself applied this theory, later in his life, to other circumstances, he failed. For example, he seems to believe that the will to fight a guerilla war can, in all cases, be created by the guerillas themselves. While it certainly would be inspirational to hear of a guerilla movement in one's own country fighting the forces of oppression, it is a mistake to believe that this will inevitably lead to a growing movement towards general insurrection. When Che tried this in Bolivia, he failed (fatally so).
I would recommend this book as a summary of Che's insights into guerilla warfare but would caution the reader to avoid accepting Che's conclusions as well founded. Avoid his mistake and read the works of Mao and others before drawing universal conclusions on guerilla warfare.
Book Review: Interesting, as a historical document.
Summary: 3 Stars
I would recommend this book in a study of Cuba or of Latin American history in general. I would not, however, recommend this book for 'fun reading' or any truly useful insight into modern politics.Book Review: Meh
Summary: 3 Stars
This book is very simplistic and is based completely on the Cuban revolution. It has some interesting points here and there, but it is lacking the depth of other like works such as Mao's work on Guerrilla warfare. There are two works in one in this book. The first is on how to organize and fight a Guerrilla war, and the second is a rant against capitalism and the U.S.
This book did little to advance the literature and thought on Guerrilla warfare, but I think that it is a good start for a beginning student. It is a needed read for advanced students because of Che's place in history, but thankfully it is a short quick read. The book reenforces the thought that Che was not the brightest person, but he was a brave and skilled leader.
I found little in this book, but I don't think it is a waste of time, just read it when you have little to do or are on the pot.
Book Review: Not just a "how to" book
Summary: 5 Stars
Most people feel the need to regard this book as an instruction manual. It was intended as such, but as a mature reader, one should take the context into account. This book embodies the spirit of a courageous warrior who's attributes all of us wish we had. This book is recomended not just for those aspiring to revolt against their oppressors, but those who wish to learn of the ideals of one of the greatest men ever born.