In a first-hand report from Venezuela, veteran correspondent Richard Gott places the country's controversial President in historical perspective. Examining Chavez's plans and programs and the support and opposition these attract, Gott argues that this unique experiment may prove a new way forward for Latin America. 'Many people thought if I became president it would mean the return of Hitler and Mussolini rolled into one ... the imagined disaster has not taken place.'Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela. The spectre of Simon Bolivar hovers once again over Latin America as the aims and ambitions of the Liberator are taken up by Comandante Hugo Chavez, the charismatic and controversial President of Venezuela. Welcomed by the inhabitants of the teeming shanty towns of Caracas as their potential savior, and greeted by Washington with considerable alarm, this former golpista-turned-democrat has already begun the most wide-ranging transformation of oil-rich Venezuela for half a century, and dramatically affected the political debate throughout Latin America. In a first-hand report from Venezuela, veteran correspondent Richard Gott places the Comandante in historical perspective, and examines his plans and programs. He describes the support and opposition that these attract, and argues that this unique experiment may prove a new way forward for Latin America.

The controversial President of Venezuela, a former golpista-turned-democrat, has begun the most wide-ranging transformation of oil-rich Venezuela for 500 years. In a first-hand report, correspondent Richard Gott places the President in historical perspective, and examines his plans and programmes.

About the Author
Richard Gott is a former Latin America correspondent and features editor for the Guardian. A specialist in Latin American affairs, his books include Cuba: A New History, Guerrilla Movements in Latin America, The Appeasers (with Martin Gilbert), Land Without Evil, Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution, and Britain's Empire. He is currently an honorary research fellow at the institute for the study of the Americas at the University of London.

Reviews
This book shows its author back on top form as a supreme interpreter of Latin America. * The Independent *
A colourful and readable account of Chavez's background and beliefs. * Financial Times *
Little is known in detail of Chavez's life, career, and ideas. This study ... begins to fill the gaps. * Multicultural Review *
Gott is always an interesting, well-informed, and engaging writer. Washington would be wise to pay attention to this account, since Chavez's radical nationalism ... is presumably raising eyebrows in Foggy Bottom and Langley. * Foreign Affairs *
Chavez, as Richard Gott's readable profile makes clear, is no ordinary caudillo. * Times Higher Education Supplement *
This timely book will be eagerly devoured by all those who wish to understand Latin America's new radicalism. * New Statesman *



Book Information
ISBN 9781859843659
Author Richard Gott
Format Paperback
Page Count 254
Imprint Verso Books
Publisher Verso Books
Weight(grams) 220g
Dimensions(mm) 191mm * 137mm * 20mm