White hope of the third world or inconsiderate despot? Fidel Castro, Máximo Líder of the Cuban revolution, polarises more than any other figure of the 20th century. He survived countless assassination attempts, the terms of ten US presidents and the fall of the Soviet Union. This biography shows how Castro was able to found and strengthen his charismatic rule amongst the conflict area of the superpowers, and to extend it into today despite several crises. Here, the author presents new sources and evaluates Spanish secondary literature for the first time, which lets Castro appear in a different light.