Jersey Jake
10-26-2008, 05:15 AM
The undisputed godfarther of 20th century guerrilla warfare Che Guevara wrote in 1959 about how one conducts and underground war against a state with little more than small arms, some tools, and improvised explosives, and the will to succeed. An iconic figure who only received notoriety upon his death, was instrumental in the overthrow of a regime with a conventional military, and conventional means of power.
As we all know, in the 1960s, Che was unable to replicate his success and was gunned down after an unsuccessful campaign in Bolivia. However his 1957 victory over batista's regime without the aid of modern military hardware shocked the world at the time.
In addition, much of the technological references are outdated, and techniques need to be updated to understand the technology of the 21st century state. However, like Sun Tzo, the book is not about technology, but more about human nature. Keeping with Tzo, the book knowing or not utilizes concepts from "the art of war". Its about having to win over the people away from the state. Once you've done this, victory is only a matter of time. The guerrilla has the opportunity to decide when and when not to fight, and were, and can be everywhere at once, the state does not have this option.
The book is of simple language, gets straight to the point, and does a good job of leaving most political rhetoric, semantic bullshit, out, despite, of course, that the first rule of guerrilla warfare, is that a guerrilla is a political missionary before he is a bombs and bullets solider.
While not the last word in guerrilla warfare, its certainly the first. I enjoyed it. It answered questions. It gave insight. Further reading, "The War of the Flea",- Robert Taber, expands on the principles which are laid out by che, and tells it from the other side, the view of the state.
thoughts?
As we all know, in the 1960s, Che was unable to replicate his success and was gunned down after an unsuccessful campaign in Bolivia. However his 1957 victory over batista's regime without the aid of modern military hardware shocked the world at the time.
In addition, much of the technological references are outdated, and techniques need to be updated to understand the technology of the 21st century state. However, like Sun Tzo, the book is not about technology, but more about human nature. Keeping with Tzo, the book knowing or not utilizes concepts from "the art of war". Its about having to win over the people away from the state. Once you've done this, victory is only a matter of time. The guerrilla has the opportunity to decide when and when not to fight, and were, and can be everywhere at once, the state does not have this option.
The book is of simple language, gets straight to the point, and does a good job of leaving most political rhetoric, semantic bullshit, out, despite, of course, that the first rule of guerrilla warfare, is that a guerrilla is a political missionary before he is a bombs and bullets solider.
While not the last word in guerrilla warfare, its certainly the first. I enjoyed it. It answered questions. It gave insight. Further reading, "The War of the Flea",- Robert Taber, expands on the principles which are laid out by che, and tells it from the other side, the view of the state.
thoughts?