by Tad Szulc

Although this book is a whopping 785 pages (including extensive notes and index at the back), only that many pages could give Fidel Castro's extroardary life justice. Castro's enormous risk taking and assurance in his own abilities, his effect on other people with his persuasive nature brought him to power in Cuba after deposing the despised president Batista, dictator and creature of the USA. Castro deserves to have the addage of "teflon" to his name more than any other, having survived repeated attempts on his life by the likes of the CIA. He is the longest ruling leader of a nation of the 20th century and played a part in bringing the world closer to nuclear war than ever before or since (that we know of). Love or hate him or his politics, Castro is a lucky, lucky bastard to be alive and has lead a very extraordinary life. Castro earns my respect simply by pulling off a Communist state on an island nation that sits right in the face of the North American continent. It must have been infuriating to Washington not to have successfully neutralised Castro and his regime and I bet his Cuba will not be forgiven until it's leader is cold and in the ground.