The Man Who Invented Fidel

The Man Who Invented Fidel chronicles New York Times reporter Herbert Matthews' fateful 1957 interview with Fidel Castro in Cuba's Sierra Maestra mountains. Matthews' coverage of the young revolutionary leader would go on to shape American perceptions of Castro and influence U.S.-Cuba relations. DePalma examines Matthews' career trajectory from the Spanish Civil War through his Cuba coverage, focusing on the veteran journalist's quest for another grand cause to champion. The book reconstructs Matthews' journey to meet Castro and the subsequent articles that turned the rebel leader into an international media figure. Through archival research and interviews, DePalma traces how Matthews' sympathetic portrayal of Castro reverberated through American media and politics. The narrative follows both men's trajectories as Castro rose to power and Matthews faced growing scrutiny over his reporting. The book raises questions about journalistic objectivity and the media's role in shaping public perception and international affairs. It explores the complex relationship between reporters and their subjects, and how personal idealism can influence coverage of world events.

Readers describe this as a detailed account of how NY Times reporter Herbert Matthews' coverage helped shape American perceptions of Castro in the 1950s. Many note it provides insight into journalistic ethics and media influence. Readers appreciated: - Historical documentation of Matthews' reporting methods - Analysis of how media narratives can affect international relations - Clear writing style that makes complex politics accessible Common criticisms: - Too much focus on Matthews' background rather than Castro - Some repetitive sections - Limited new information for those familiar with Cuban history Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (24 reviews) Representative review: "Important story about how one reporter's bias and determination to see what he wanted to see in Castro helped create a false narrative that influenced US policy." - Amazon reviewer Several readers noted the book's relevance to modern discussions about media objectivity and political reporting.

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🔹 Herbert Matthews, the New York Times journalist who "invented Fidel," had previously covered Mussolini's rise to power in Italy and the Spanish Civil War, giving him a unique perspective on revolutionary figures. 🔹 The famous 1957 interview with Castro in the Sierra Maestra mountains helped transform Castro's image from a presumed-dead rebel to a legendary figure, though Matthews never revealed that Castro deliberately staged many elements of their meeting. 🔹 Author Anthony DePalma spent over two decades as a New York Times writer and foreign correspondent, working for the same newspaper as his subject, Herbert Matthews, though decades apart. 🔹 Matthews' reporting on Castro was so influential that the CIA later analyzed his articles to understand how they may have contributed to American misperceptions about the Cuban Revolution. 🔹 Despite evidence that Castro had deceived him, Matthews continued to defend his reporting and Castro's revolution until his death in 1977, leading many to call him "the man who invented Fidel" - both as praise and criticism.