The Cuban Revolution: Origins, Course, and Legacy

by Marifeli Pérez-Stable

A bold reexamination of the achievements and failures of the Cuban revolution and a perceptive, behind-the-scenes look at the problems facing Cuba today, this revealing text examines the background of the revolution, ranging from the inauguration of the republic in 1902 to Castro's triumphant entry into Santiago de Cuba in 1959, and highlights the factors―such as a one-crop (sugar) economy and U.S. interference in Cuban affairs―that made Cuba susceptible to revolution. Offering an unflinching look at Castro's thirty-year rule and the U.S. response to it, the author argues that the revolution actually ended in 1970, when the regime turned to the model of the Soviet Union, accepted a new dependence, and began what would become, for many years, a profitable relationship with the Soviet Union. She further charges that Cuban leaders failed to achieve a more balanced economy to sustain the nation, failed to create democratic institutions, and found themselves ill-prepared to deal with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. With its hard-hitting criticisms of Cuba's revolutionary elite and of U.S. policy, The Cuban Revolution offers students of this area's history and politics a provocative look at the turbulent past―and the precarious present―of a nation on the brink of change.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, Latin American History

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 1993

Reviews

[WIlliam Gerrard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm doing a university essay question on the Cuban Revolution so felt that this was a good text to read ahead of doing my assignment. The book certainly covers the Cuban Revolution and its aftermath in a lot of detail. It is a modern history of Cuba. However, whereas other works on the Cuban Revolution focus on perhaps the more glamorous side of the actual taking of the island and the chief protagonists, this book delves a little deeper and assesses the actual politics of the revolution and its real implications. Every finding is backed up with real data and the author, who initially was very supportive of the revolution, is clear in her latter condemnation of its impact. Cuba is, for sure, an anomaly among world states. I found the impact of 'Fidel-Patria-Revolucion' and the development of Cuban 'conciencia' very important in the whole ideology of the new Cuba. The anti-imperialism of the regime is clear, but Cuba's almost solitary dependence on sugar left it open to all sorts of fundamental problems. It cosied up to the Soviet Union during the Cold War but this left its own impact as the Berlin Wall fell and the Soviet Union broke apart. It is very bizarre how Cuba the revolution has survived intact but what future lies ahead? This book gave me a lot greater understanding of what the revolution meant specifically to the Cuban people and its lasting legacy. It's a thorough read and though occasionally it does bog you down in detail it is an academic text and this can be expected.

[Dominic Carrillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting points about Cuban politics and economy, but also repetitive and overly academic. Big on sugar industry dependency, the initial popularity of the revolution and its leaders, and policy failures post 1965. This book is ideal for university courses specifically on Cuba or subtopics in Latin America.

[Jacob Pellegrino · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This book is dense with information, which can be both good and bad. I definitely learned a lot about the successes and failures of the Cuban Revolution along with motivating factors. However, the reliance on statistics and often repetitive observations made it a very time consuming read.

[Alex Janssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a light historical read, but if you are interested in the social and economic atmosphere of the Second Republic up to Raul Castro, this is a fascinating and concise read. Slightly repetitive but the author strikes a reasonable, albeit opinionated tone.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was difficult. it was for my class i wont lie

[Jack Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very balanced account of the Cuban Revolution, with great information on the evolution of internal post-revolutionary politics, economics, and labor-state relations into the mid-1990s.

[Teodoro Gomezdelatorre · Rating 1 out of 5]

Definitely a letdown. I wanted a history book about the Cuban revolution but the author is clearly not a historian. Well researched and full of data in socio-economic factors, the book sadly moved slowly like a college textbook, and bypassing tons of events and facts essential for a HISTORY book.
The revolution itself, for example: the author, whose prose is certainly not exciting to read at all, goes from Batista in power to the take of Havana in 1/1/59 in less than one paragraph. No history of the rebellion, of the campaigns, of the way the July 26 Movement was actually formed, no nothing. Big actors are seen only as elements in a game of data and page after page is wasted in trade union relations.
Avoid this book if you want HISTORY. Get it if you want a brief and boring socio-economic gathering of data and some events. Avoid if you want to learn anything about the players. Get it if you want to learn a lot of names.
I guess there are some people who believe history is only there for students, not for history buffs and people who love to learn by themselves.

[Quiona Trimmell · Rating 2 out of 5]

To begin with, I didn't read this book for fun; I had to read it to complete my Modern World History essay. But to be honest, it wasn't as bad as I expected. It was actually quite interesting. This book was about how the Cuban government became a communist government from a socialist government, under the influence of the Soviet Union. The Cuban Revolution being one of the most influential revolutions changed Latin American ideals. Changing how Latin America viewed poverty and how they thought they could solve poverty through communism. In this book, you read some of the main events of the revolution such as the July 4th Movement. If your interested in History, I would definitely reccomend this book to you, it's very well written and you get to see the Cuban Revolution in a deeper way.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

One tough read, but an extremely important book.