Fifty years after the Cuban revolution, this timely book, the most intimate and dispassionate biography of Fidel Castro to date, offers a fresh assessment of the revolutionary leader. Written by the British ambassador to Cuba in the early 1990s, it chronicles the events of Castro's extraordinary life and explores the contradiction between the private character and the public reputation. "From childhood rebellion to international confrontation, Coltman's analysis of this obstinate and aggressive politician remains clear and impressively impartial." The Observer "Coltman has produced a rare commodity - a balanced view of Castro ...Very well-written and easily read." Anthony Daniels, Sunday Telegraph "One of the most striking revelations of ...Coltman's engrossing study of the Cuban leader is just how central violence has always been to (Castro's) life ...Meticulously researched and compiled ...and fascinating material." Justin Marozzi, Literary Review "Masterfully even-handed ...and a convincing, nuanced picture. Not just Castro but Cuba and its revolution swing sharply into focus ...A superb portrait." Austen Ivereigh, The Tablet