My life: a spoken autobiography

Fidel Castro is perhaps the most charismatic and controversial head of state in modern times. A dictatorial pariah to some, he has become a hero and inspiration for many of the world's poor, defiantly charting an independent and revolutionary path for Cuba over nearly half a century. Numerous attempts have been made to get Castro to tell his own story, but only now, in the twilight of his years, has he been prepared to set out the details for the world to read. Drawing on more than one hundred hours of interviews with journalist Ignacio Ramonet, a knowledgeable and trusted interlocutor, this spoken autobiography will stand as the definitive record of an extraordinary life lived in turbulent times.--From publisher description.

Translation of: Fidel Castro: biografía a dos voces. Random House Mondadori, rev. ed. 2006 ; this translation originally published: London: Allen Lane, 2007.

The childhood of a leader -- The forging of a rebel -- Entering politics -- The assault on the Moncada barracks -- The backdrop of the revolution -- "History will absole me" -- Che Guevara -- In the Sierra Maestra -- Lessons from a guerilla war -- Revolution: first steps, first problems -- The conspiracies begin -- The Bay of Pigs/Playa Giron -- The "Cuban Missile crisis" of October 1962 -- The death of Che Guevara -- Cuba and Africa -- The emigration crises -- The collapse of the Soviet Union -- The Ochoa case and the death penalty -- Cuba and neoliberal globalization -- President Jimmy Carter's visit -- The arrests of dissidents in March 2003 -- The hijackings in April 2003 -- Cuba and Spain -- Fidel and France -- Latin America -- Cuba today -- Summing up a life and a revolution -- After Fidel, what?