Travelers' Tales of Old Cuba: From Treasure Island to Mafia Den

by John Jenkins (Editor)

"Creating both a literary project and an historical mini-course on the early nineteenth to middle twentieth century, the editor has gathered writings mostly by Americans in Cuba who have tended to have a complex 'love/hate relationship' with the place. . . . In the end, most reveal their fondness for Cuba. . . . Those with a committed interest in the region will be grateful that this book takes them beyond the dissertations on Che Guevara and Fidel Castro."— ForeWord Magazine Cuba has drawn and intrigued travelers ever since it was "discovered" by Columbus in 1492. Magnificently evoking the country's romance and drama as well as its darker episodes of slavery and tyranny, this selection of journal entries, essays, and guidebook commentaries transports the reader to the days when Havana sheltered Caribbean pirate treasure ships and was the gateway to the Spanish empire in the New World. Later chapters reflect the "American era" when Cuba was transformed into a glittering tourist and gambler's paradise operated by the Mafia. As with all good travelers' stories, this selection not only informs the reader but also fires the imagination. These tales of pre-revolutionary Cuba are filled with the flavor and manners of a bygone era, reflecting the various impressions of visitors to one of the most alluring islands on earth. John Jenkins is an award-winning Australian poet and travel writer. The author of several books of poetry, two books on contemporary music, a libretto, and many other publications, Jenkins won the prestigious international James Joyce Foundation Suspended Sentence Award in 2004.

Genres: Travel

175 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Melanie Vidrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had read this book before my trip. It was so interesting.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're going to Cuba, this is THE book to take on your trip. Well, maybe bring The Old Man and the Sea if you plan to go to Hemingway's house.

Jenkins has done a brilliant job of pulling out a variety of excerpts that capture a broad cross-section of aspects of Cuban life and a flavor of the changing history of the country. There's a mix of the famous and non-famous, male and female writers, all with interesting observations.

I bought this book in Cuba and it's an Australian publication so so I don't know what the availability is in the U.S. I saw it in multiple shops in Cuba, so I believe that it is widely available there.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Defininately recommended for anyone travelling in Cuba. Lots of fun remembering the places in this book - even centuries later. Would have been even better reading it there so I could look out for some of the things I didn't pay attention too.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up in a Havana bookstore, with no idea that it would contain writing from people as diverse as John Muir, Anais Nin, and Langston Hughes.

[Monika · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you do not like this genre or are not interested in Latino culture, I will not recommend it. It was a very laborious read.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun getting to read different perspectives of the island

[Laurie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an anthology I appreciated the chronology, yet I found many of the entries to end abruptly. Informative read for a tourist interested in the history of Cuba.

[Gina Schwartz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book of short stories gifted to me by my sister from her tirp to Cuba earlier this year. Most are fictional but they give some fascinating glimpses into Cuban life before the Revolution. One story that I likes in particular was the story of a family living in Havana but the father works in the country. The difference between their lives when he is home as opposed to when he is away as told by the family living upstairs is startling.

A good read about a really interesting place with a rich and diverse history.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

" I found it was bit Havana-centric but in general, it told the history of Cuba as seen by travelers (from english-dominated countries primarily) in a well balanced way which makes it seem more like a history of the country rather than as propaganda."
read more: http://likeiamfeasting.blogspot.gr/20...

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating views of Cuba, starting in 1687 and evolving history and viewpoints from slave ships to casinos and the mafia in 1958; excerpts from authors such as William Cullen Bryant,John Muir,Anais Nin and Langston Hughes. Now I want to pursue other works by this editor, John Jenkins.

[Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful mixture of scholarly erudition and the cuban vernacular. you will read no better reportaj than this