Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #328107 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 9.40" h x 1.60" w x 6.40" l,
• Binding: Hardcover
• 723 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In February, 2002, Ramonet, the editor of French monthly Le Monde diplomatique, began a two-year conversation with the controversial Cuban head of state, a collaboration that resulted in this Q&A-style, Castro-approved look into the revolutionary leader's life, from boyhood through his half-century in power. Ramonet proves a worthy interviewer, well prepared to tackle the famed Communist revolutionary's legacy, and while many of Castro's answers are predictably self-serving-"I've fought adamantly against any manifestation of the cult of personality"-the bombastic leader's views on political figures and world events are genuinely thoughtful, and at times fascinating. High points include accounts of his relationship with Khrushchev during the Cuban missile crisis, backed up by excerpts from letters they exchanged; his advice for Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez during a 2002 coup attempt; and his sincere, positive assessment of American President Jimmy Carter. Though readers may find it hard to take this authorized life story at face value, Castro's first attempt to tell his complete story provides an engaging perspective on the man and the world he helped shape.
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From AudioFile
This "spoken autobiography," a series of questions and answers between French/Spanish journalist Ramonet (Patrick Lawlor) and Castro (Todd McLaren), covers the Commandante's life and thinking, though haphazardly. Lawlor's questions are unidiomatic-sounding and awkwardly precise. There's no sense of two people interacting; the two may well have been recorded separately. Lawlor's likable voice is far outclassed by the strength and clarity of McLaren's; the contrast sometimes jars. McLaren pronounces Spanish words well, but his use of pronunciations such as "Kooban" (Cuban), "Mehican" (Mexican), etc., in the midst of flawless English seems affected and distracts. Still, the presentation is more than adequate. But the content--the preening dictator, the fawning interviewer, the overwhelming level of detail--will put off anyone without a deep interest in Castro. W.M. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

About the Author
IGNACIO RAMONETis editor of Le Monde diplomatique. He is the author of Wars of the 21st Century and Geopolitics of Chaos, the founder of Media Watch Global, and a regular contributor to the Spanish daily El País.

FIDEL CASTRO has led Cuba since the revolution of 1959.