Reddit reviews Che's Afterlife: The Legacy of an Image

I believe the attraction to the Guerrillero Heroico photograph has something to do with the draw that people have. Largely this is their first point of exposure to Che, this photograph. Honestly, I personally think people just like the photograph without really understanding the political connotations attached to it.

I would say that single photo of Che is one of the main reasons he's so popular today. There's been books written on the photograph, and it's impact on the world. Check out Che's Afterlife: The Legacy of an Image by Michael J. Casey if you want to learn some more.

Either way, Che was really popular. There's some political reasons he's so popular, but that's not really what you're asking. He was one of the 22 men who survived the 26th of July Movement which saw Fidel Castro taking Cuba.

He's also known for having written Guerrilla Warfare in 1961. Basically a strategy guide for armed insurrection.

Another germane book: http://www.amazon.com/Ches-Afterlife-Legacy-Vintage-Original/dp/0307279308 Have yet to read it, but I want to.