Che Guevara’s Face: How a Cuban Photographer’s Image Became a Cultural Icon by Danielle Smith-Llera

How did one image of the revolutionary leader Che Guevara’s face become so popular?  Students who have seen the iconic image - originally a photo by the Cuban photographer Alberto Korda - may be very interested in this picture book-sized volume. 

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.