The author tells the story of Che’s famous photographic portrait in four chapters that draw the reader in by setting the scene in which the original photo was taken-- a memorial service for the 100 killed and 200 wounded by a 1960 explosion in Havana Harbor that destroyed a ship carrying grenades and munitions.
Using historical photographs as well as Korda’s photographic contact sheet from that day, author Smith-Llera provides context for this shocking and gruesome moment, inviting the reader to imagine the life of a photographer working in Havana at the time.
The author also includes a summary of Cuban history with many historical photographs, however other than Korda’s, the images are not credited within the text.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber
Smith-Llera, Danielle. Che Guevara’s Face: How a Cuban Photographer’s Image Became a Cultural Icon. Minnesota: Capstone, 2017.