This generally favorable study of President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela examines the changes that he has brought to his country through his "Bolivarian revolution," as well as the outspoken leadership role he has assumed in the region. Chavez believes that oil--which his country has plenty of--can be a strategic tool of political change , and Nikolas Kozloff explains the thinking behind Chavez's policies, as well as his strong distaste for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well George W. Bush, whom Chavez blames for a coup that almost ousted him from power. Kozloff discusses the prospects for U.S-Latin American relations as other countries align themselves with Chavez.