Journalist. Lived in and wrote about Latin America (1953-1971). His writings reflect two themes, that Latin America had become a primary arena for Soviet aggression against United States and that U.S. policy had not reflected importance of region to United States. James was managing editor of "New Leader" (1949-1953). He went on leave to Guatemala (1953) and on his return published "Red design for the Americas: Guatemalan Prelude" (1954). Two years later, James was in Mexico studying U.S. business under joint auspices of U.S. Embassy and American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico. He wrote many freelance pieces for "Harper's", "Saturday Evening Post," "New York Times Magazine" and "London Observer." He subsequently became a syndicated columnist for Hearst Newspapers, SPADEA Syndicate and Newhouse Newspaper Feature Service. James' books from these years include, "Cuba: The First Soviet Satellite in the Americas" (1961), "Mexico and the Americans" (1963) and "Che Guevara: A Biography" (1969). James obtained Che Guevara's diaries after these were captured along with the guerilla in Bolivia (1967) and was able to use these as basis of his biography. James' papers contain reports, newspaper clippings, research notes, photographs and photocopies of Guevara's diaries.
From the description of Daniel James papers, 1955-1971. (University of the Pacific). WorldCat record id: 35369482
