myhtet96's review against another edition
4.0
I was particularly interested to read this book because some parallels can be drawn between the Cuban Revolution and the ongoing situation in Burma: a military dictatorship in a Third World country supported by an imperialist power and the popular resistance to it. When I started out to read it, I am more interested in the Cuban Revolution - how the Batista dictatorship was toppled, how the 26 of July Movement is organized and so on. I did get valuable insights about these topics from Fidel Castro. However, as I read on, I became more and more immersed in how to build the country post-revolution. Burma will have to face similar problems that Cuba encountered after the revolution. An imperialist neighbor committing to counter-revolutionary activities, a populace who, despite the opposition to the dictatorship, have little education and still lack concrete values, and, needless to say, economic hardships. Whatever your opinion on the Cuban Revolution and Fidel Castro may be, it is indisputable that he led a successful revolution toppling the Batista dictatorship which has U.S. support, overcome a foreign-sponsored invasion and the Special Period, and make great gains in social progress for the Cuban people even during a blockade. Without a doubt, Burma’s struggle against the military dictatorship can take a page out of Fidel Castro’s experiences.
brannonkrkhuang's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Wow. Fidel Castro is incredible. I'm so glad I read this book and learned about him. I suspect it will be a long time before I find a book as good and as impactful as this one. Fidel, may the world be inspired by you to abandon Capitalism and embrace Socialism once and for all!
naomisglobalbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing spoken autobiography on this complex man. I knew nothing of him going into this book, so it was great to read.
vincentreadswordsandletters's review against another edition
3.0
How many evil communist men are there in world? Surely many of these people are more greedy than average capitalist. Yet I think to give Cuba run for it's existence USA should stop the trade embargo. If Cuba remains poor after that, there's some radical change needed(I already think this tho). Free education is also great, since that's IMO the only inequality on earth. So even very capitalistic country should give free education. But if education can be improved by private ways, I think that should also be used. Private capital is many times more efficient than governments capital. Castro also restricts their country's internet websites and thus he is kinda like many dictators before him: Lenin, Stalin, Mao and Hitler.
j_ax2's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
An absolutely fantastic read! Loved the interview format and this honestly solidifies by view that Castro is one of the most interesting leaders of the 20th century!