The Bolivian Diary

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With an introduction by Fidel Castro

Che Guevara's famous last diary, found in his backpack after he was captured by the Bolivian Army in 1967, and which played a pivotal role in catapulting him to iconic status after his death.

In 1967 Che Guevara left Cuba to lead the Bolivian Liberation Army. In the jungles of Bolivia they attempted to initiate a revolution like that in Cuba, in which Che had played such a central role. This fascinating diary describes the troubled guerrilla campaign until Che’s final entry on the 7th October 1967 – the day before his capture by the CIA-backed Bolivian Army and his execution.

Following the phenomenally successful film adaptation of ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’, two of Che Guevara's later and most insightful diaries are being brought to the big screen in 2009. Directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Benicio del Toro, ‘Reminiscences of the Cuban Revolutionary War’ and ‘The Bolivian Diary’ will be released as ‘Che Part 1’ and ‘Che Part 2’.

What will you learn from this book

Revolutionary Struggle: Guevara's diary reflects his commitment to revolutionary ideals and his belief in armed struggle as a means to achieve social justice and equality.
Guerrilla Warfare: The book provides insights into Guevara's thoughts on guerrilla warfare, including the challenges faced by insurgents, the importance of popular support, and the difficulties of maintaining a guerrilla force.
Frustration and Isolation: Guevara faced numerous challenges in Bolivia, including a lack of local support, communication breakdowns, and difficulties in acquiring resources. The diary reflects his frustration and sense of isolation during this period.
Political Analysis: Guevara's writings showcase his political analysis of the socio-economic conditions in Bolivia and his perspective on the global struggle against imperialism.
Leadership and Decision-Making: The diary sheds light on Guevara's leadership style, decision-making process, and his interactions with fellow revolutionaries.
Human Side of Che: Readers get glimpses of Guevara's personal struggles, doubts, and physical ailments during the difficult Bolivian campaign, providing a more human perspective of the iconic revolutionary figure.
Ideological Commitment: Guevara's unwavering commitment to Marxist-Leninist ideology and his vision for a socialist revolution in Latin America are evident throughout the diary.
Betrayal and Capture: The book covers the circumstances leading to Guevara's betrayal, capture, and eventual execution by the Bolivian military with the assistance of the CIA.
Legacy: Guevara's legacy as a symbol of resistance and revolution is explored in the diary, as he reflects on the broader implications of his actions and the potential impact on future revolutionary movements.
Reflection on Failure: The Bolivian Diary serves as a reflection on the failure of the Bolivian campaign, providing lessons for future revolutionary endeavors and highlighting the complex nature of revolutionary struggles.

Language	English
ISBN-10	0007322461
ISBN-13	9780007322466
No of pages	303
Font Size	Medium
Book Publisher	Harper Perennial
Published Date	19 Mar 2009

About Author

Author : Ernesto Che Guevara

3 Books

Ernesto "Che" Guevara, commonly known as El Che or simply Che, was a Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, intellectual, guerrilla leader, diplomat, and military theorist. A major figure of the Cuban Revolution, since his death Guevara's stylized visage has become an ubiquitous countercultural symbol and global icon within popular culture

His belief in the necessity of world revolution to advance the interests of the poor prompted his involvement in Guatemala's social reforms under President Jacobo Arbenz, whose eventual CIA-assisted overthrow solidified Guevara's radical ideology. Later, while living in Mexico City, he met Raúl and Fidel Castro, joined their movement, and travelled to Cuba with the intention of overthrowing the U.S.-backed Batista regime. Guevara soon rose to prominence among the insurgents, was promoted to second-in-command, and played a pivotal role in the successful two year guerrilla campaign that topled the Cuban government.

After serving in a number of key roles in the new government, Guevara left Cuba in 1965 to foment revolution abroad, first unsuccessfully in Congo-Kinshasa and later in Bolivia, where he was captured by CIA-assisted Bolivian forces and executed.

Guevara remains both a revered and reviled historical figure, polarized in the collective imagination in a multitude of biographies, memoirs, essays, documentaries, songs, and films. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century, while an Alberto Korda photograph of him entitled "Guerrillero Heroico," was declared "the most famous photograph in the world" by the Maryland Institute of Art.