Castro and Cuba: From the Revolution to the Present

by Angelo Trento, Arthur Figliola (Translator)

On January 1, 1959, Castro's followers entered Havana. The guerrillas took power and the "socialism of the tropics" began. Today, although the Castro regime has introduced some openings to a market economy, the island continues to wage a battle for its survival as the only socialist regime in the Americas. This concise history, which begins with the seizing of independence in 1898 and continues to the present day, synthesizes the events that have made Cuba a singular case in the history of communism: the choice of socialism by Fidel and the missile crisis of 1962; the internationalism of Ernesto "Che" Guevara and Havana's maverick foreign policy; the adoption of the Soviet model and its effect on Cuba's social and economic life; the forms of the poder popular; the period after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the break with Moscow; and the difficulties created by the continuing economic embargo and the historical hostility of the United States. Angelo Trento teaches Latin American History at the Instituto Universitario Orientale in Naples. He is the author of Brazil and co-author of Latin America in the 20th Century.

Genres: History

123 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2000

Reviews

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wee introduction to the Cuban revolutionary project, broad and measured, likely aimed at undergrads. For me it was helpful in identifying aspects of Cuban history and political analysis that I'd like to delve further into, and easy to whip through while in Havana.

[Brendan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, this is a very funny story. It helped me with my research but it should be noted that this book is only on the list because it was the only one about Cuba at the Barnes and Noble I went to the day I needed it.

[Ruben E. Lydda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting non-fictional book :)

[Michael Pyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well-well written, historically accurate, non-fiction book. Great photos. A lot of well-researched facts, with some unique analysis.