Author Topic: Re: CHE, A Revolutionary Life (Read 5785 times)

Barbudos · « **on:** July 30, 2007, 10:21:31 PM »

Funny, I just finished that book tonight. I've been working on it for 5 months! Very interesting and somewhat inspirational. It kind of makes a guy feel silly about going to work with all the other drones every day!

Yes, his birth certificate was a fake. The date was pushed forward by a month to protect the family's reputation.

Gambitt · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2007, 11:01:52 PM »

I've got about another 50 pages to go.

For anyone interested in the ideology of Cuba, and Che in particular, this is a great book.

Che is one of the few people in history to have both his "Official" Birth and Death Certificates Faked!

Barbudos · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2007, 09:27:39 AM »

Pretty wild book eh? I'm not necessarily a slow reader, I just have limited time. My week will blow by with zero time, and then I'll spend a whole Sunday reading on the deck, or the dock if I'm lucky. Looking at it that way, it took me a few weeks to get through.

I found it difficult to keep some of the characters straight, not used to memorizing Spanish names, but the story is amazing. Now that I know the history, I can see how the Cuban revolution was successful, and Che's campaigns in the Congo and Bolivia were failures. I think the Fidel/Raul/Che/Camilo combo was what made the drive in Cuba victorious. Most notably missing in the Congo and Bolivia would be the Fidel's tact and political influence, and a population that was somewhat disciplined, educated and driven to the same end.

Anyway, I should start a separate thread about the book, for those of us that have read it and might like to chat about it.

Gambitt · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2007, 03:33:18 PM »

I'd agree completely, with your conclusions.

Also add the fact that the Cuban Revolution caught the US and other nations "off guard" at the start, but in the Congo and Bolivia, they were waiting and watching very early in the conflict.

As to the new topic, I'll split this one, so these posts will be the start of the new one!

Barbudos · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2007, 05:19:06 PM »

I agree, about the world and especially the CIA being on the watch. I'm sure there are dozens of factors that affected the outcome of the later campaigns. I won't ruin the end of the book for you, with 50 pages left, but the author makes a convincing analysis of what went wrong.

We'll talk more when you're finished.

My briefcase is a lot lighter now that I'm not carrying that monster book around with me everywhere.

Gambitt · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2007, 06:40:06 PM »

I think I know how it ends (wink, wink) but thanks.. Got some reading done today, so I should be done tomorrow!

Cheers

Gambitt · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2007, 08:53:21 PM »

Just happened to come across this in my news reading today:

Quote

Cuba Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Assassination of Frank Pais; An Eternal Flame Burns for Frank and All Martyrs of the Revolution

Santiago de Cuba, July 30 (RHC).- Cuban First Vice President Raúl Castro lit an eternal flame at the Santa Efigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba on Monday -- in memory of Frank País and all martyrs of the Cuban Revolution.

Fifty years ago on this date, Frank País -- one of Cuba's most notable revolutionary leaders -- was killed on the streets of Santiago de Cuba. During the 1950's, Frank -- who was only 22 years old at the time of his murder -- was the head of the clandestine movement which rose up against the Batista dictatorship islandwide.

According to witnesses in Santiago de Cuba that day, the popular response was spontaneous as word of his assassination spread on July 30, 1957. That same afternoon, just hours after he was killed, workers and even owners of businesses began shutting down establishments throughout the city.

The funeral procession through the streets of Santiago de Cuba was a demonstration by the entire people against the dictatorship. Participants in the action a half century ago say that there were no police anywhere and that it was if the entire city had been taken over by the people. As the funeral cortege passed, tens of thousands lined the streets and stood at attention, while others threw flowers from windows overlooking the avenues along the route.

On Monday, marking the 50th anniversary of his assassination, more than 100,000 followed the same route that the funeral cortege took back in 1957. Floral wreaths were placed at the Callejón del Muro, the street where Frank and another revolutionary comrade, Raúl Pujol, were brutally killed.

At the ceremony held Monday afternoon at the Santa Efigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba to honor Frank and other martyrs of the struggle, veterans of the 26th of July Movement spoke of the courage and valor of the young revolutionary fighter.

Cuba's First Vice President Raúl Castro delivered the closing remarks at the ceremony, dedicating the eternal flame to Frank País and all martyrs of the Cuban Revolution... past, present and future -- those who fought and gave their lives for socialism and dignity, along with those who fought to win and defend the liberation of other peoples around the world.

Frank Pais, for whom the Airport in Holguin is named, is mentioned quite often, in the book. This is the same cemetary in Santiago, where Jose Marti is buried, that Bulldog and I visited on our tour in January.

Gambitt · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2007, 09:17:46 PM »

Here's a photo I took of the wall that commemorates the Heros of the Revolution. The top two rows are those that died in or as a result of the Moncada assault.

Barbudos · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2007, 09:57:20 PM »

Pretty wild stuff, that memorial. I'd love to see that in person. Where is it exactly?

I know I couldn't ruin the ending of the book for you, I'm sure you know the history. I just meant that I'd leave the author's analysis for you to read on your own, for the first time. Again, it's probably common knowledge.

Barbudos · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2007, 10:02:20 PM »

The part that hits me the hardest about this book is the reality check. I mean, the average life seems somewhat meaningless by comparison. I don't mean to make him to be more of a hero than he should be, but it's inspirational to read about someone that gives up regular life for beliefs.

Gambitt · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2007, 10:09:58 PM »

The Santa Efigenia Cemetery is right in Downtown Santiago. I can't give you a street address as we were on a bus tour. The monument is just off to the left of the central Tomb of Jose Marti.

One thing nobody can ever argue about Che, is that he Lived what he taught. Whether you agree with his ideas or not, you can't take anything away from his dedication to his ideals.

rumrunner · « **Reply #11 on:** August 01, 2007, 10:48:24 AM »

Quote from: Barbudos on July 31, 2007, 10:02:20 PM

The part that hits me the hardest about this book is the reality check. I mean, the average life seems somewhat meaningless by comparison. I don't mean to make him to be more of a hero than he should be, but it's inspirational to read about someone that gives up regular life for beliefs.

Very True..

For example when food rationing was in place and he found out that his food ration was higher then the average person.... he refused the extra... event to the point that his wife had to borrow money to by food to feed the family..

Gambitt · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2007, 03:25:18 PM »

And, His salary was another issue.. He refused his pay as a government minister, and only accepted his normal pay as an officer in the Cuban Aarmy.

Barbudos · « **Reply #13 on:** August 07, 2007, 10:38:36 PM »

I think he tried to lead by example. I don't know that I agree with everything he believed in, but I have huge respect for someone that gives up regular life to try to help other people. The book is very enlightening, I never knew all the struggles he went through. It really makes my corporate job seem meaningless in the grand scheme of things.