Che Guevara's Face: How a Cuban Photographer's Image Became a Cultural Icon

by Danielle Smith-Llera

Overview

What has been called the most famous photograph in the world, and a symbol of the 20th century, began as a spur of the moment snapshot by a Cuban photographer. Alberto Korda transformed a simple photo into a world famous portrait of a larger than life revolutionary. Korda’s 1960 photo of Che Guevara’s defiant face has traveled the world in many forms. It shows up wherever people struggle for freedom and human rights. And in the 21st century, the controversial photo continues to inspire, entertain, and even infuriate.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780756555603
Publisher:	Capstone Press
Publication date:	08/01/2016
Series:	Captured World History Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	14 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Danielle Smith-Llera’s former life as a teacher led her to write books for young people. She has taught literature, writing, history, and visual arts to students ranging from elementary school to college. Danielle studied English and Visual Arts at Harvard University and exhibits her artwork internationally. As the spouse of a diplomat, she and her family have lived in Washington D.C., New Delhi, India and Kingston, Jamaica.

Editorial Reviews

Capstone’s Captured History series of middle-grade picture books proceeds from the belief that a photograph can change the world. To that end, it has inaugurated its series with exquisite and insightful texts focused on the most iconic photographs in history. From Che Guavara’s face, to the Hindenburg in flames, to death at Kent State, and the iconic flag-raising at Ground Zero, each book succinctly takes a measured approach to understanding the visual imagery, historical context, and complex sociopolitical climate within which a photograph thrives. Even adults long-since familiar with the images will find much to learn and appreciate in this impressive collection. The quality of discussion of the photographs and their history varies somewhat. In an attempt to be dispassionate about controversial subjects, some topics hit all the right notes against the odds, while others may leave the reader with more questions. Smith-Llera’s Che Guavara’s Face brings new eyes to the photograph, while skirting more difficult questions about the era. Leaving young readers with unanswered questions is not necessarily a bad thing; these brief texts will ignite interest and perhaps prompt more research. As such, these books should be in every progressive middle school in the nation. (Captured History) Reviewer: Jim Nicosia; Ages 11 to 15.

VOYA, December 2016 (Vol. 39, No. 5) - Jim Nicosia