Fidel Castro

December 31, 2007
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.

May 26, 2008
This stunning autobiography of the controversial Cuban dictator is replete with stories spanning Castro's entire lifetime, everything from his relationship with Che Guevara to the Bay of Pigs invasion. Todd McLaren and Patrick Lawlor share narration duties, but fail to capture the essence of Castro or Ramonet and the sheer power and importance of their lengthy conversations. Though clearly read and well-pronounced, the interviews are so forced and crafted that the tales lose their poignancy and resonance. Listeners will be hard pressed to accept these performers as the aforementioned individuals, without so much as a Cuban dialect employed by the readers. Simultaneous release with the Scribner hardcover (reviewed online).

Starred review from June 15, 2008
In this interview, Castro reflects on his early childhood, his years of making a revolution, and his subsequent history up to his 82nd year of life. Ramonet ("Wars of the 21st Century"), editor in chief of "Le Monde diplomatique", spent three years interviewing the former leader of Cuba and shaping 100 hours of conversation into this important work, which constitutes Castro's only autobiography and final assessment of his revolutionary leadership, the present condition of the world, and its probable future. Castro expresses strong opinions of America and its Presidents, from Eisenhower to George W. Bush, and discusses his relations with other South American leaders, particularly Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, and with important historical figures, including Nikita Khrushchev, Che Guevara, and Tony Blair. Referring to the United States as "the Empire," Castro denounces the blockade of Cuba that has lasted almost 50 years, the "thousands" of terrorist acts against Cuba, and more than 600 attempts to assassinate him. His most pronounced quality is an unwavering faith in the Cuban people to uphold the principles of the revolution; he himself is sustained by an idealism perhaps best expressed in one of his favorite phrases from the French Revolution: "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity." Todd McLaren and Patrick Lawlor skillfully hold our interest throughout, almost persuading us that we are actually hearing Castro and Ramonet speak. Highly recommended.Bernard Morris, Modesto, CA

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