A richly textured and immersive history of this island nation, whose life has been so dominated by our own nation's。 Ferrer helps us understand what has shaped Cuba from her inception ,into the complex ,diverse country it is today。 She deftly explores the complicated matters of imperialism, race relations, colonialism, the many wars for freedom and independence and , of course the huge footprint of Fidel。 Cuba has lived large in my mind since I was a child。 I vividly remember Castro's seizure of A richly textured and immersive history of this island nation, whose life has been so dominated by our own nation's。 Ferrer helps us understand what has shaped Cuba from her inception ,into the complex ,diverse country it is today。 She deftly explores the complicated matters of imperialism, race relations, colonialism, the many wars for freedom and independence and , of course the huge footprint of Fidel。 Cuba has lived large in my mind since I was a child。 I vividly remember Castro's seizure of power , the seemingly endless stream of articles about him in American media, the Bay of Pigs insanity, the Cuban missile crisis, the embargoes, the liberation of Angola led by Cuban revolutionaries, the boat flotillas, the debate about the " Marielitas" , and ultimately Obama's unprecedented trip to Havana in 2016。 Ferrer helps us understand what it feels like to have been directly impacted by these historic events and supplies many rich anecdotes。 I highly recommend this as an introduction to this wonderful country。I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book from Goodreads。 。。。more
Tawney,
Ada Ferrer has written a detailed and lively account of Cuba's history from Spanish colonization to the present。 It encompasses Cuba's economic evolution to reliance on sugar, slaves and trade and includes the increasing power and influence of the United States。 The relationship between the two countries has been (and probably always will be) an intricate dance。 At various times the U。S。 wanted to buy Cuba, annex it, keep Spain in control。 Cubans repeatedly attempted to gain reform。 The United S Ada Ferrer has written a detailed and lively account of Cuba's history from Spanish colonization to the present。 It encompasses Cuba's economic evolution to reliance on sugar, slaves and trade and includes the increasing power and influence of the United States。 The relationship between the two countries has been (and probably always will be) an intricate dance。 At various times the U。S。 wanted to buy Cuba, annex it, keep Spain in control。 Cubans repeatedly attempted to gain reform。 The United States barged in on Cuba's third war for independence and occupied the island until it got what it wanted。 It left Cuba to deal with corrupt governments that spawned the rise of Fidel。 Ferrer explains how he used Cuba's past experiences to shape acceptance of his program for the country。 I was an oblivious young teen on the west coast of Florida during the Bay of Pigs and Missile Crisis and found those chapters electrifying as well as edifying。 She follows through with the consequences of those actions。The book is quite thorough, but not dry。 The cast of characters is large。 but well drawn。 Some may not agree with Ferrer's analysis of Cuban history, they might, for example, take issue with her view of the prominent role of race, but I believe that readers of every persuasion would find much of value in this book。 It explains reasons for some of the attitudes each country holds toward the other。 It would be nice to think that might lead to a little understanding, but even if it doesn't Ada Ferrer has produced a very interesting read。I received an advanced digital copy of this book compliments of Scribners and NetGalley。 。。。more
Linden,
I had minimal knowledge of Cuba's turbulent history, so I appreciated Edelweiss giving me the opportunity to read and review this well-researched book。 Cuba, sadly shares history with some other countries: native culture destroyed by greedy Europeans, slavery, and ill-advised and presumptuous US intervention。 Many were delighted when Castro got rid of the evil Battista, but life in Cuba has never been easy, and when Cubans could no longer rely on the Soviet Union's help, things got even more cha I had minimal knowledge of Cuba's turbulent history, so I appreciated Edelweiss giving me the opportunity to read and review this well-researched book。 Cuba, sadly shares history with some other countries: native culture destroyed by greedy Europeans, slavery, and ill-advised and presumptuous US intervention。 Many were delighted when Castro got rid of the evil Battista, but life in Cuba has never been easy, and when Cubans could no longer rely on the Soviet Union's help, things got even more challenging。 。。。more