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A History of the Cuban Revolution
A History of the Cuban Revolution presents a concise socio-historical account of the Cuban Revolution of 1959, an event that continues to spark debate 50 years later.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 2, 2010
45 people are currently reading
1658 people want to read
About the author
Aviva Chomsky
20 books176 followersAviva Chomsky is professor of history and coordinator of Latin American Studies at Salem State University. The author of several books, Chomsky has been active in Latin American solidarity and immigrants' rights issues for over twenty-five years. She lives in Salem, Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 14, 2018
If you have traveled at all in Latin America, or if you’ve read much on the area, the criticisms of the Cuban Revolution from American conservatives are positively laughable. Why the USA has been so fixated on this tiny island nation while ignoring the rest of Central and South America seems like a major character flaw. Yes, people in Cuba are poor, but public safety is higher than in most countries in the Americas, including the USA. I’m not going to say that I’m a huge supporter of Castro and the Revolution, but for fuck’s sake, many, many countries to the south of us need a lot more scrutiny than Cuba.
This book is a good overview of the Revolution and there isn’t too much new for people who have read a lot on the topic, but it’s also a good review for those folks (I consider myself in the group of well-read on the subject).
If Cuba were such a terrible place, why would they stress literacy to the point that Cuba is among the most literate countries in the world? Most of the criticism of Castro comes from Miami’s ex-pat Cuba community, the most fascist, anti-democratic group in the USA.
If you are open-minded, or if you agree with what I have written here, you will enjoy this book.
This book is a good overview of the Revolution and there isn’t too much new for people who have read a lot on the topic, but it’s also a good review for those folks (I consider myself in the group of well-read on the subject).
If Cuba were such a terrible place, why would they stress literacy to the point that Cuba is among the most literate countries in the world? Most of the criticism of Castro comes from Miami’s ex-pat Cuba community, the most fascist, anti-democratic group in the USA.
If you are open-minded, or if you agree with what I have written here, you will enjoy this book.
April 23, 2022
It’s more of a historical analysis than history. The book gave a pretty balanced and nuanced observation of Cuban revolution, avoiding both overly optimistic dogma and counter-revolutionary propaganda. It covered other important aspects of Cuban society like arts and culture instead of just analyzing politics and economics, which I like, but I felt that some sections are too rushed considering the short length of the book. A good book to read if you want a better understanding of Cuba than a dictatorship hell or a socialist paradise.
November 24, 2018
A balanced, insightful analysis of the revolution that marked the 20th century, a revolution that showed the world that an alternative way of living is possible.
August 29, 2025
Good introductory book for someone like me who doesn’t know a lick about Cuban history! Chomsky gives an overview of the Cuban revolution;a history suffused with Spanish and then US imperialism , and institutional racism in comparable ways to the united states . A revolutionary Cuban identity sought to overcome identity politics and create a state which above all rejected imperialism and the exploitation of their country for US investors. It was also great to learn about Cuba’s relationship with the USSR, and Cuba’s own initiative in sending huge amounts of aid to African countries (Angola in particular) in the form of medical doctors. I’d love to read more about the success of Cuba’s literacy and education programs.
It was also very interesting to read about the execution of a command economy in Cuba, and the temporary introductions of foreign currency/ free markets. It also differs from other communist countries as there is a huge Cuban American presence in Miami and its influence on the home population; Chomsky points out that they were primarily light- skinned and educated, skilled workers who moved away at the time of the revolution. At times of economic crisis, the families receiving remittances were also usually white Cubans, which worsened a pre existing economic divide between races in Cuba. This Cuban American population also seems to be the most vocal in its denouncement of the revolution and overall fascist ideology. Which makes some sense considering that they were primarily the pre-revolutionary privileged class
American exploitation of Cuba and subsequent attempts at destabilisation of the Cuban regime were also interesting to read about. of course, American leaders love to use the word ‘freedom’ and ‘liberation’ to force capitalist hegemony and privatisation onto countries which they can exploit financially. Any pushback can make a country dangerous to American investors; and so, the illegal blockade of Cuba continues ..
It was also very interesting to read about the execution of a command economy in Cuba, and the temporary introductions of foreign currency/ free markets. It also differs from other communist countries as there is a huge Cuban American presence in Miami and its influence on the home population; Chomsky points out that they were primarily light- skinned and educated, skilled workers who moved away at the time of the revolution. At times of economic crisis, the families receiving remittances were also usually white Cubans, which worsened a pre existing economic divide between races in Cuba. This Cuban American population also seems to be the most vocal in its denouncement of the revolution and overall fascist ideology. Which makes some sense considering that they were primarily the pre-revolutionary privileged class
American exploitation of Cuba and subsequent attempts at destabilisation of the Cuban regime were also interesting to read about. of course, American leaders love to use the word ‘freedom’ and ‘liberation’ to force capitalist hegemony and privatisation onto countries which they can exploit financially. Any pushback can make a country dangerous to American investors; and so, the illegal blockade of Cuba continues ..
May 15, 2020
I greatly enjoyed the book. It was well written, easy to understand and more importantly the book provides an incisive socio-historical account of the Cuban Revolution.
As the saying goes, there are no neutral historians, therefore Aviva Chomsky is no exception. Reading through the first chapters, one can tell that her sympathies lie with the revolutionary ideals but she rose above her sympathies and wrote an honest and fair historical account of the Cuban revolution. Highlighting the successes, failures and contradictions of the revolution. In the process shading light into the competing, US and Cuban perspectives in analysing the revolution and its socio-economic and political repercussions.
According to the author, the genesis of these two competing perspectives arose from how differently, Cuba and its bully neighbour, the US assign meaning to the word "freedom". The US defines "freedom" as free enterprise, whereas Cuba defines "freedom" as free from foreign interreference and domination.
Although the book focuses on Cuba, it does more than just provide a comprehensive overview of the major political and economic events of the revolution. It introduces the reader to some of the most topical themes in Latin American History. In a sense, it provides great insight into the present US' rocky relationships with pro socialist regimes in Latin America.
A great read for students of history and international relations and for socialist ideologues and anti imperialism activists.
As the saying goes, there are no neutral historians, therefore Aviva Chomsky is no exception. Reading through the first chapters, one can tell that her sympathies lie with the revolutionary ideals but she rose above her sympathies and wrote an honest and fair historical account of the Cuban revolution. Highlighting the successes, failures and contradictions of the revolution. In the process shading light into the competing, US and Cuban perspectives in analysing the revolution and its socio-economic and political repercussions.
According to the author, the genesis of these two competing perspectives arose from how differently, Cuba and its bully neighbour, the US assign meaning to the word "freedom". The US defines "freedom" as free enterprise, whereas Cuba defines "freedom" as free from foreign interreference and domination.
Although the book focuses on Cuba, it does more than just provide a comprehensive overview of the major political and economic events of the revolution. It introduces the reader to some of the most topical themes in Latin American History. In a sense, it provides great insight into the present US' rocky relationships with pro socialist regimes in Latin America.
A great read for students of history and international relations and for socialist ideologues and anti imperialism activists.
July 16, 2017
We read this book in preparation for a week in Cuba on a person-to-person Visa with the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Travel Office. Our trip was rewarding and instructional.
This book offers strong opinions, particularly with regards to America’s interventions in Cuba before and after the Castro revolution. It won an award as an outstanding academic title in 2011.
Chomsky has been criticized as being partial to the Cuban revolution. I have no doubt that she holds some sympathy for it. But she does not advocate Communism. She tries her best to explain communism’s rationale and compares it to the capitalistic rationale, pointing out their strong and weak points.
Capitalism and socialism are often assumed to be two opposing economic systems. In some ways, this is accurate. The two systems operate according to very different economic rationales. But in other ways, when we try to define the two as polar opposites we lose sight of how real economies work. In fact, almost every economic system incorporates aspects of both logics, and it might make sense to imagine the two as ideal types at different ends of a spectrum, rather than as exclusive and contained systems….
Capitalist systems are best at increasing production and variety of goods. They are less successful at distributing the goods to those who may need them most. In pretty much every capitalist society, even the wealthiest, there are people who are hungry. Not because there isn’t enough food, but because the people who are hungry don’t have the money to buy it. They may want and need food, but in capitalist logic, they don’t represent a “demand” for food because “demand” isn’t created by human need, it’s created by the economic means to buy something. A penniless person may want a gallon of milk as much or more than a rich person, but, under capitalism, only the person with money to buy the milk represents a “demand” for the product….
Socialist logic is based on the idea that human needs, rather than profit, should govern what and how much is produced. In a democratic system, the people themselves can make decisions about production through various forms of democratic mechanisms like the election of representatives or town meetings. In an autocratic system, governing elites may make the decisions about production. Either way, though, the decisions are based not on how much potential profit can be made by producing something, but rather on what needs it fills….
But if the strength of the socialist logic is in distribution, its weakness is in production. Specifically, if everybody’s needs are guaranteed, what’s the incentive to work, and to push oneself to increase production?
Chomsky does recognize that in our country capitalism has produced the most affluent society on earth. Where I disagree with her critique of capitalism is her pointing to failed societies, such as Haiti, or Sierra Leone, as being example of failed capitalism. In those countries one might point out that cultural practices, and the rules of law that govern society, are more responsible for their dismal conditions than the economic system that predominates.
I do agree with Chomsky’s analysis that,
Neither capitalism nor socialism exists in the world as a pure replica of a theory. Rather, every modern society incorporates capitalist and socialist elements, just as every individual is capable of both selfish materialism and of caring about the needs of others.
Putting aside these rarified arguments, our own experience in Cuba was gratifying. Having recently visited several previously communistic countries (East Germany,Russia, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Ukraine) I know what kind of economic system I wish to live in, and I am thankful I don’t live in Cuba. I see more stupidity than evil in the Cuban system, although there’s stupidity and evil in varying proportions (along with courage, intelligence, selflessness, avarice, etc.) in every place on the planet inhabited by humans.
Once having gained power through violence, authoritarian dictators retain power by making their subjects, or at least a significant portion of them, dependent upon it. Repression is accepted if one’s daily bread is on the table--even if the bread was taken from someone else. Deposing a ruler, therefore, no matter how despicable, can be difficult since there will be as many, or more, losers than winners.
So it is in Cuba. Bodegas hand out free but rationed staples such as rice, and beans every month. Education and medical care is free. However, toilet paper is hard to find, and embarrassingly poor in quality. And while visitors to the island enjoy seeing classic 1952 Chevy Bel Aire convertibles kept in marvelous condition, most Cubans yearn for newer cars. No one lacks a home, although the home may in some cases lack walls. No one can sell or live in a house, or start a business, without government permission. (Cubans get around this by a remarkable black market in bartering that is now tolerated by the authorities)
The Cuban people are warm, friendly, and anxious to have better relations with the U.S. They want change, and they expect they will eventually get it. Most are not currently interested in violently revolting from the Castros’ rule. Those many who are unhappy leave one way or the other, providing a pop-off valve for potential opposition.
For reasons of satisfying selfish curiosity, I am glad we had the opportunity to see this experiment in “utopian” living before it morphs into something more reasonable, practical, and humane. I am also more mindful of some of the hardships our country has visited on this smaller and poorer neighbor. I hope we normalize our relationship with Cuba.
This book offers strong opinions, particularly with regards to America’s interventions in Cuba before and after the Castro revolution. It won an award as an outstanding academic title in 2011.
Chomsky has been criticized as being partial to the Cuban revolution. I have no doubt that she holds some sympathy for it. But she does not advocate Communism. She tries her best to explain communism’s rationale and compares it to the capitalistic rationale, pointing out their strong and weak points.
Capitalism and socialism are often assumed to be two opposing economic systems. In some ways, this is accurate. The two systems operate according to very different economic rationales. But in other ways, when we try to define the two as polar opposites we lose sight of how real economies work. In fact, almost every economic system incorporates aspects of both logics, and it might make sense to imagine the two as ideal types at different ends of a spectrum, rather than as exclusive and contained systems….
Capitalist systems are best at increasing production and variety of goods. They are less successful at distributing the goods to those who may need them most. In pretty much every capitalist society, even the wealthiest, there are people who are hungry. Not because there isn’t enough food, but because the people who are hungry don’t have the money to buy it. They may want and need food, but in capitalist logic, they don’t represent a “demand” for food because “demand” isn’t created by human need, it’s created by the economic means to buy something. A penniless person may want a gallon of milk as much or more than a rich person, but, under capitalism, only the person with money to buy the milk represents a “demand” for the product….
Socialist logic is based on the idea that human needs, rather than profit, should govern what and how much is produced. In a democratic system, the people themselves can make decisions about production through various forms of democratic mechanisms like the election of representatives or town meetings. In an autocratic system, governing elites may make the decisions about production. Either way, though, the decisions are based not on how much potential profit can be made by producing something, but rather on what needs it fills….
But if the strength of the socialist logic is in distribution, its weakness is in production. Specifically, if everybody’s needs are guaranteed, what’s the incentive to work, and to push oneself to increase production?
Chomsky does recognize that in our country capitalism has produced the most affluent society on earth. Where I disagree with her critique of capitalism is her pointing to failed societies, such as Haiti, or Sierra Leone, as being example of failed capitalism. In those countries one might point out that cultural practices, and the rules of law that govern society, are more responsible for their dismal conditions than the economic system that predominates.
I do agree with Chomsky’s analysis that,
Neither capitalism nor socialism exists in the world as a pure replica of a theory. Rather, every modern society incorporates capitalist and socialist elements, just as every individual is capable of both selfish materialism and of caring about the needs of others.
Putting aside these rarified arguments, our own experience in Cuba was gratifying. Having recently visited several previously communistic countries (East Germany,Russia, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Ukraine) I know what kind of economic system I wish to live in, and I am thankful I don’t live in Cuba. I see more stupidity than evil in the Cuban system, although there’s stupidity and evil in varying proportions (along with courage, intelligence, selflessness, avarice, etc.) in every place on the planet inhabited by humans.
Once having gained power through violence, authoritarian dictators retain power by making their subjects, or at least a significant portion of them, dependent upon it. Repression is accepted if one’s daily bread is on the table--even if the bread was taken from someone else. Deposing a ruler, therefore, no matter how despicable, can be difficult since there will be as many, or more, losers than winners.
So it is in Cuba. Bodegas hand out free but rationed staples such as rice, and beans every month. Education and medical care is free. However, toilet paper is hard to find, and embarrassingly poor in quality. And while visitors to the island enjoy seeing classic 1952 Chevy Bel Aire convertibles kept in marvelous condition, most Cubans yearn for newer cars. No one lacks a home, although the home may in some cases lack walls. No one can sell or live in a house, or start a business, without government permission. (Cubans get around this by a remarkable black market in bartering that is now tolerated by the authorities)
The Cuban people are warm, friendly, and anxious to have better relations with the U.S. They want change, and they expect they will eventually get it. Most are not currently interested in violently revolting from the Castros’ rule. Those many who are unhappy leave one way or the other, providing a pop-off valve for potential opposition.
For reasons of satisfying selfish curiosity, I am glad we had the opportunity to see this experiment in “utopian” living before it morphs into something more reasonable, practical, and humane. I am also more mindful of some of the hardships our country has visited on this smaller and poorer neighbor. I hope we normalize our relationship with Cuba.
July 11, 2021
I find myself returning to this book time and again for a refresher on the Cuban Revolution, and this time I came back to revise on some info before reading We Are Cuba!: How a Revolutionary People Have Survived in a Post-Soviet World. Every time I revisit this book, I find a strange warming of the heart at the struggles of the Cuban people and their love for each other and the world.
The book starts with a brief but insightful explanation of the differences between capitalist and socialist economies, and in hindsight it singlehandedly started me off on the journey of discovery of a whole new worldview. As Mao Zedong said, a single spark can start a prairie fire - this was the spark that ignited the flames of communism for me.
The rest of the book presents a balanced (what a subjective word) view on the Cuban state and people from the pre-revolutionary era to the early '00s. What I love about it is it is filled with the viewpoints of various strata of society. It talks about both the macro and micro effects of the policies/events. It doesn't just throw you statistics but also describes lived experiences, making it easier to emphasise with the Cuban people.
The writing flows very well and isn't cumbersome, filled with quotes of the people involved. I have a terribly short attention span, but this book held my attention. I would recommend this book to everyone who wishes to learn about socialism/communism or Cuba.
The book starts with a brief but insightful explanation of the differences between capitalist and socialist economies, and in hindsight it singlehandedly started me off on the journey of discovery of a whole new worldview. As Mao Zedong said, a single spark can start a prairie fire - this was the spark that ignited the flames of communism for me.
The rest of the book presents a balanced (what a subjective word) view on the Cuban state and people from the pre-revolutionary era to the early '00s. What I love about it is it is filled with the viewpoints of various strata of society. It talks about both the macro and micro effects of the policies/events. It doesn't just throw you statistics but also describes lived experiences, making it easier to emphasise with the Cuban people.
The writing flows very well and isn't cumbersome, filled with quotes of the people involved. I have a terribly short attention span, but this book held my attention. I would recommend this book to everyone who wishes to learn about socialism/communism or Cuba.
October 11, 2020
The biggest issue with this book is the assumption that the correct approach to decentering an American, imperialistic perspective is to center the Cuban government. The book reads history over the lens of nationalism. When the author says "Cuba" this means the Cuban government. When they praise the literacy program of Cuba they ignore how the totalitarian regime used this as a propaganda intiative. To not extend the same sense of skepticism toward the European Marxism of Cuba that the book has toward the American Democracy is very poor taste.
The author wanted to champion "the other side of the story" with the motive of being objective but really functioned as a mouthpiece for the Cuban government. To be objective means to acknowledge that the Cuban government views their citizens as a means to a political end rather than seeing the people as the end. Even if the Cuban government has permitted success in a few areas we should not praise the government for oppressing their people less. We should praise the people for learning how to succeed in oppressive circumstances.
Lastly, seeing European Marxism as the solution for minority uplift and diversity is hilarious to me. Marxism is the white man's religion. It's biggest champions, Marx and Lennin, are white dudes and Socialism has been detrimental to many Latino and Asian countries. By not seeing these blatant contradictions, the author looses credibility as a fair historian. Don't assume that democracy and capitalism are impure in their motives and that marxism and socialism are pure in their motives. Both systems can and do exploit people. Be honest and fair with how both systems can take advantage of people.
The author wanted to champion "the other side of the story" with the motive of being objective but really functioned as a mouthpiece for the Cuban government. To be objective means to acknowledge that the Cuban government views their citizens as a means to a political end rather than seeing the people as the end. Even if the Cuban government has permitted success in a few areas we should not praise the government for oppressing their people less. We should praise the people for learning how to succeed in oppressive circumstances.
Lastly, seeing European Marxism as the solution for minority uplift and diversity is hilarious to me. Marxism is the white man's religion. It's biggest champions, Marx and Lennin, are white dudes and Socialism has been detrimental to many Latino and Asian countries. By not seeing these blatant contradictions, the author looses credibility as a fair historian. Don't assume that democracy and capitalism are impure in their motives and that marxism and socialism are pure in their motives. Both systems can and do exploit people. Be honest and fair with how both systems can take advantage of people.
October 19, 2019
O livro oferece de fato “uma visão mais multifacetada da história revolucionária de Cuba”. Um estudo bem completo e intrigante desse país.
July 21, 2021
Short, nuanced account of Cuba's revolution since 1959. For all the many flaws - written about here with honesty - I will always find it impossible not to admire it.
November 7, 2021
escrita maravillosa, imparcial e muito rica de fontes
December 19, 2024
Read it to write an essay but it was super interesting and well written. Nothing too crazy though just a standard history book I guess
May 2, 2020
A great overview of the Cuban Revolution. A perfect book for Undergraduate history students like myself. As an American, I was shocked to learn about the ways the United States have treated Cuba in the fight against communism. I found it very interesting to read how Cuba associated capitalism with oppression rather than prosperity.
April 22, 2024
This is a great work about the Cuban Revolution that is somewhere between history and political science. The chapters are arranged thematically, but are more or less chronological. I say "more or less" because some of the chapters in the middle aren't at all chronologically specific, instead looking at different things like race and gender, or film and literature, or political culture.
In terms of accessibility, I'd call this just a step above widely accessible. It's not dry but it's not gripping either (since it's not a historical work it doesn't have a lot of story-telling, it's more analytical). It's not weighed down in jargon, but nor is it super light. It doesn't require a whole lot of knowledge about Cuba going in, but maybe watching a couple pop history videos or doing some light Wikipedia diving about the Cuban Revolution beforehand would help. I wouldn't recommend this to a regular person who neither know anything about Cuba nor doesn't normally read anything related to politics/history, but if you either do sometimes read about politics/history or know a bit about Cuba, you'll be fine. And if you both read about politics/history sometimes and know a little bit about Cuba, it'll be smooth sailing. This would also be an excellent book to use if teaching an undergrad course on Cuba.
In terms of her political slant, Chomsky is about where I am on the Cuban Revolution: generally supportive, but not without criticisms. I do happen to think the Cuban Revolution is one of the most profound and ambitious political projects in human history, but also that this is the real world, and every system has problems, mistakes, and contradictions. Especially when you're a small island nation being sabotaged by the big empire to your north that's mad you overthrew one of its puppet dictators. But anyway, I digress- there's definitely a slant to it. But even if you find yourself skeptical of that slant, you might as well read this book anyway, considering mainstream US sources are so slanted in the other direction that this is an important counter-weight to what you normally get.
With all that said, even as a Latin American historian for whom Cuba is a special area of interest, I still got a good amount out of this book. I learned a few new things, but more than that, the way the book was set up helped refresh a lot of my memory and even helped me make new connections by framing and connecting things the way it did. As I said above, this isn't for someone who knows nothing about Cuba and never reads about history/politics, but even if you're just one step above that level of reader I'd say this is a good one to check out.
In terms of accessibility, I'd call this just a step above widely accessible. It's not dry but it's not gripping either (since it's not a historical work it doesn't have a lot of story-telling, it's more analytical). It's not weighed down in jargon, but nor is it super light. It doesn't require a whole lot of knowledge about Cuba going in, but maybe watching a couple pop history videos or doing some light Wikipedia diving about the Cuban Revolution beforehand would help. I wouldn't recommend this to a regular person who neither know anything about Cuba nor doesn't normally read anything related to politics/history, but if you either do sometimes read about politics/history or know a bit about Cuba, you'll be fine. And if you both read about politics/history sometimes and know a little bit about Cuba, it'll be smooth sailing. This would also be an excellent book to use if teaching an undergrad course on Cuba.
In terms of her political slant, Chomsky is about where I am on the Cuban Revolution: generally supportive, but not without criticisms. I do happen to think the Cuban Revolution is one of the most profound and ambitious political projects in human history, but also that this is the real world, and every system has problems, mistakes, and contradictions. Especially when you're a small island nation being sabotaged by the big empire to your north that's mad you overthrew one of its puppet dictators. But anyway, I digress- there's definitely a slant to it. But even if you find yourself skeptical of that slant, you might as well read this book anyway, considering mainstream US sources are so slanted in the other direction that this is an important counter-weight to what you normally get.
With all that said, even as a Latin American historian for whom Cuba is a special area of interest, I still got a good amount out of this book. I learned a few new things, but more than that, the way the book was set up helped refresh a lot of my memory and even helped me make new connections by framing and connecting things the way it did. As I said above, this isn't for someone who knows nothing about Cuba and never reads about history/politics, but even if you're just one step above that level of reader I'd say this is a good one to check out.
January 4, 2025
Not a narrative history of Castro and Guevara, the 26th of July Movement, the Granma landing, etc., but a survey of the social, cultural and economic effects of the revolution.
Chomsky unpacks the many ways in which Cuba’s communist revolution has been successful (improvements to healthcare and education, reduced economic, sexual and racial inequality) whilst being realistic about the limitations, with resources becoming scarce and an increased loss of high skilled labour. Crucially, failings of the revolution are understood against a context of US embargo and hostility, and to have significantly worsened after loss of support from the Soviet Union, during the special period, where capitalist reforms were introduced to try and counteract this sudden lack of financial allies.
Chomsky also touches briefly on the rise of Latin socialism after Chavez; how that reversed the balance of American ideological warfare; i.e., Cuba was no longer an isolated communist state, the USA had become an isolated capitalist state. But in my opinion, this could have been explored much further.
Surprisingly easy to read for an academic history book.
Chomsky unpacks the many ways in which Cuba’s communist revolution has been successful (improvements to healthcare and education, reduced economic, sexual and racial inequality) whilst being realistic about the limitations, with resources becoming scarce and an increased loss of high skilled labour. Crucially, failings of the revolution are understood against a context of US embargo and hostility, and to have significantly worsened after loss of support from the Soviet Union, during the special period, where capitalist reforms were introduced to try and counteract this sudden lack of financial allies.
Chomsky also touches briefly on the rise of Latin socialism after Chavez; how that reversed the balance of American ideological warfare; i.e., Cuba was no longer an isolated communist state, the USA had become an isolated capitalist state. But in my opinion, this could have been explored much further.
Surprisingly easy to read for an academic history book.
July 20, 2023
A decent and balanced introduction to the Cuban Revolution.
More treatment of the transformation of the national revolution into a socialist one would be helpful. This is the most interesting aspect, demonstrating that for a country to gain national independence, independence from global capitalism and imperialism is essential. The theoretical issues could be better explored, such as the contradictions between nationalism and socialism, or Stalinism/Castro-ism/Guevara-ism on the one hand and Marxism/Leninism/Trotskyism on the other would enrich the narrative.
The chapters on art and culture are rather lengthy and dry, in one case providing a list of names of some writers or artists that made me tune out.
The reader is fluent in Spanish and English, which is appropriate for this work. Some correction of French pronunciation, like "bourgeois" vs. "bourgeoisie" would help.
It is worth a read/listen.
More treatment of the transformation of the national revolution into a socialist one would be helpful. This is the most interesting aspect, demonstrating that for a country to gain national independence, independence from global capitalism and imperialism is essential. The theoretical issues could be better explored, such as the contradictions between nationalism and socialism, or Stalinism/Castro-ism/Guevara-ism on the one hand and Marxism/Leninism/Trotskyism on the other would enrich the narrative.
The chapters on art and culture are rather lengthy and dry, in one case providing a list of names of some writers or artists that made me tune out.
The reader is fluent in Spanish and English, which is appropriate for this work. Some correction of French pronunciation, like "bourgeois" vs. "bourgeoisie" would help.
It is worth a read/listen.
Read
November 13, 2022Read for my course Socialism: History of an Idea
A really fascinating and insightful book that I am glad I finally got to read. I do recommend it to any American because I feel like it really challenges our preconceived notions about Cuba and its history. I really found the section on democracy interesting and worthwhile for anyone to read. That section really made me rethink what I believe democracy is, though I would not call Cuba a democracy, and the book doesn't assert that necessarily, it still challenges the idea of democracy as espoused by the US, and I think that is an interesting conversation to have.
I feel like Chomsky did a great job at detailing Cuban history through a lens that does not paint Cuba as perfect, but does not ignore the good Cuba has done. This was just a good book, and very accessible to someone with a limited knowledge on the history of Cuba.
A really fascinating and insightful book that I am glad I finally got to read. I do recommend it to any American because I feel like it really challenges our preconceived notions about Cuba and its history. I really found the section on democracy interesting and worthwhile for anyone to read. That section really made me rethink what I believe democracy is, though I would not call Cuba a democracy, and the book doesn't assert that necessarily, it still challenges the idea of democracy as espoused by the US, and I think that is an interesting conversation to have.
I feel like Chomsky did a great job at detailing Cuban history through a lens that does not paint Cuba as perfect, but does not ignore the good Cuba has done. This was just a good book, and very accessible to someone with a limited knowledge on the history of Cuba.
May 26, 2023
This is a book from the point of view of an American professor who finds the Cuban history intriguing but mostly sides (with some criticism) with the liberal propaganda.
It tries to analyze the Cuban revolutionary history up until 2014. It’s plagued with anti-communist opinions and repeatedly fails to connect the struggles with the constant harassment by the US government, chapter after chapter. Most of the times it looks at Cuba in a political vacuum and doesn’t fully connect their necessary struggles and shortcoming on the economic terrorism (and actual terrorism) imposed on them from the very start.
I’m sure there are better options on the market but if you don’t have anything else, read it knowing what side this is clearly on, however much the author tries and fails to balance it out.
It tries to analyze the Cuban revolutionary history up until 2014. It’s plagued with anti-communist opinions and repeatedly fails to connect the struggles with the constant harassment by the US government, chapter after chapter. Most of the times it looks at Cuba in a political vacuum and doesn’t fully connect their necessary struggles and shortcoming on the economic terrorism (and actual terrorism) imposed on them from the very start.
I’m sure there are better options on the market but if you don’t have anything else, read it knowing what side this is clearly on, however much the author tries and fails to balance it out.
December 26, 2024
A decent introductory history that tries to offer a balanced view of the revolution. My main criticism is that while Chomsky notes the innumerable accounts of U.S-sponsored sabotage and dissidence, she fails to connect these acts of aggression with Cuba’s shortcomings and regression in certain areas.
The embargo, primarily, cannot be overstated enough. I don’t think that Chomsky accurately entails just how devastating this unspoken declaration of war is on the Cuban people. Cuba’s internal problems cannot be properly explained without providing a larger context on the scale of limitations that the embargo inflicts.
The embargo, primarily, cannot be overstated enough. I don’t think that Chomsky accurately entails just how devastating this unspoken declaration of war is on the Cuban people. Cuba’s internal problems cannot be properly explained without providing a larger context on the scale of limitations that the embargo inflicts.
November 8, 2020
Gran introducción a la revolución cubana y a su desarrollo durante el siglo XX, narración amena pero concreta, con mucho contexto para entender las circunstancias materiales y culturales que llevaron al eventual triunfo de Castro, así como su posterior toma de decisiones. Explica de forma objetiva las bondades y limitaciones del modelo de desarrollo (o el socialismo) cubano, sin excluir el papel perjudicial de EUA en este
December 8, 2020
It was interesting to hear about the differences between the “Florida Cuban” and the Cubans who stayed behind after the revolution. It makes sense how each group contains a different understanding of their history.
I also liked the history around the “Fiasco” that was the bay of pigs. Interesting how the narrative is never questioned.
I also liked the history around the “Fiasco” that was the bay of pigs. Interesting how the narrative is never questioned.
March 31, 2022
This short book was great to have a summary of the Cuban history. It's well written and I there was something interesting in every chapter.
The author views the Cuban Revolution in a positive light, but she makes it clear from the beginning. Regardless if you agree with her or not, I think this is an useful book.
The author views the Cuban Revolution in a positive light, but she makes it clear from the beginning. Regardless if you agree with her or not, I think this is an useful book.
August 7, 2025
So readable and informative
Insane to see the progress Cuba made in the 60’s with the literacy campaigns, healthcare and education reforms
US involvement in Cuban destabilization didn’t shock me but nonetheless reshaped how I saw Cuba
Recently visited Miami and noticed how they praised Cubans who’d fought with the US during the Bay of Pigs invasion
Demystifies Cuba
Insane to see the progress Cuba made in the 60’s with the literacy campaigns, healthcare and education reforms
US involvement in Cuban destabilization didn’t shock me but nonetheless reshaped how I saw Cuba
Recently visited Miami and noticed how they praised Cubans who’d fought with the US during the Bay of Pigs invasion
Demystifies Cuba
June 20, 2018
Strong overview; swift but informative. Uses largely America's own sources to show the role they played, of which she is rightly critical, yet also is honest about the challenges the Cuban revolution has not overcome.
February 17, 2025
“If we want to imagine a better world for all of us, I can think of no better place to start than by studying the Cuban Revolution.”
Although not a perfect country, Cuba is living proof that you can look after your citizens’ health and social care needs and stand up to US global economic hegemony.
Although not a perfect country, Cuba is living proof that you can look after your citizens’ health and social care needs and stand up to US global economic hegemony.
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May 1, 2025Certainly exists more as a primer for further reading. Often more time is given to historiography and contemporary debates than providing substantive insight on key events e.g. the overthrow of Batista and the October Crisis being covered in a couple of paragraphs each.
May 4, 2025
Fantastic, captivating, and incredibly concise. Chomsky, you are a delight to read. I recommend this book to anyone seeking an accesible, interesting overview of The Cuban Revolution and its implications. My favorite book of my Cuban Revolution course this semester!
September 1, 2017
Good overall look at history or Cuban revolution - felt a little redundant at times.
December 19, 2019
Incredibly fun and informative, shows multiple perspectives
July 27, 2020
It was a very interesting book. I came into it not knowing anything about Cuba besides what I'd heard from others and left with an entirely changed perspective on Cuba as a whole.
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