My Life with Che: The Making of a Revolutionary
“A candid, serious memoir by the iconic revolutionary’s first wife. . . . An intelligent, tender look at Guevara’s human side.” --Kirkus reviews "This is a vital book for anyone wishing to understand more about the late Argentine revolutionary. Vivid, intimate and uncensored,My Life with Chepicks up Guevara's story whereThe Motorcycle Diariesleft off, taking us, via his first marriage to Hilda Gadea, through his extraordinary transformation from bohemian adventurer to Marxist Revolutionary. A refreshing and engrossing read." -- Jon Lee Anderson, bestselling author of NYT Notable Book,Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life "Che Guevara is our Jesus Christ: an idealist, a martyr, a redeemer around whom a religion has sprung, first spontaneously, then officially. Hilda Gadea's memoir is the gospel according to Mary Magdalene--an impassionate, first-hand account of the emblematic leader. We come across a Che that is, at once, small and larger-than-life. So we bow in reverence!" --Ilan Stavans, best-selling author ofThe Hispanic ConditionandSpanglish  "Gadea's life story is not as well known as her husband's, but in many ways it was even more extraordinary than that of the famous revolutionary. A political refugee from Peru, she was exiled not once but twice -- first to Guatemala and later to Mexico. Frequently harassed and jailed by the police for her political beliefs, Gadea’s stoic resolve in the face of great odds was remarkable. My Life With Cheis a revealing, compelling insider look at the life of Che Guevara, at the corrupt and compliant right wing authorities who did Washington's bidding in South America, and at a daring group of Latin American revolutionaries who dedicated their lives to the furtherance of a higher cause." -- Nikolas Kozloff, author ofRevolution!: South America and the Rise of the New LeftandHugo Chavez: Oil, Politics, and the Challenge to the U.S. "My Life with Cheoffers an intimate look at one of the most influential figures of the Cuban Revolution. The story of Che's life has become inseparable from the myth, and this book sheds new light on the man from the unique perspective of his first wife Hilda Gadea.” - Alfredo José Estrada, author ofHavana: Autobiography of a City "Gadea’s insights into the thinking and behavior of the young Che, and the Castro brothers during their exile in Mexico in the mid-1950s, are of great historical value. Che was then perfecting his Marxist beliefs but Raul Castro was already a great admirer of the Soviet Union. Gadea reveals too that Fidel espoused a  radical internationalist agenda that he concealed from the Cuban people until after his victory. Essential reading for anyone interested in the Cuban revolution." --Brian Latell, author ofAfter Fidel: Raul Castro and the Future of Cuba’s Revolutionand Senior Research Associate in Cuban Studies at the University of Miami"Always be capable of feeling most deeply any injustice committed against anyone, anywhere in the world. This is the most beautiful quality in a revolutionary."--Che Guevara, in his last letter to his children