This critically acclaimed biography of this controversial world leader is at last available in English. Born in a small town, Chávez entered the military academy and was drawn to leftist politics and a new sense of himself as predestined to change the fortunes of his country--and of Latin America. By day a family man and a military officer, by night he secretly recruited insurgents to overthrow the government. His coup attempt failed, but laid the groundwork for his ascension to the presidency eight years later. Chávez's revolutionary "Bolivarian" government stresses economic reforms meant to discourage corruption and empower the poor--yet the leader spends thousands a day on himself and cozies up to Arab oil elites. Venezuelan journalists Marcano and Barrera Tyszka explore the often crude public figure who condemns George W. Bush in fiery language but at the same time hires lobbyists to improve his country's image in the West. --From publisher description.