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bergamee's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
I have no particular interest in Cuba or in history books in general and yet, here I am with a rare 5-star rating. This was a page-turner just as much as {insert your favorite thriller here}. I did not want to see this not-short book end. It ends with Biden’s ascent to presidency; I would welcome a sequel in a few years.
Although a complete and thorough history of Cuba, Dr Ferrer’s book taught me almost as much about the US. Can’t think of many reader subsets who would not find something of value in this book. A well-deserved Pulitzer.
Although a complete and thorough history of Cuba, Dr Ferrer’s book taught me almost as much about the US. Can’t think of many reader subsets who would not find something of value in this book. A well-deserved Pulitzer.
annadsinger's review against another edition
i was just not in the right headspace for this. also like i don't think i like history enough to read this long of a book abt it
reflectiverambling_nalana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.25
What I was taught in school about Cuba to the best of my memory was something along the sum total lines of: communist island somewhere off Florida that once was used by Russia to almost launch nuclear weapons at us but crisis was adverted."And from the lingering media of the time that a lot of Cubans went to Florida. What I had collected about it from my own reading was as an extension of conditions in other parts of the Caribbean or in passing about the broader reaches of Central and South America. I was well aware that looking into this gap was long over due.
I was pleasantly surprised to find such a concise, accessible, and engaging read. Ferrer clearly has a lot of passion for the past and is both proud and honest. She highlights heroes, villains, greed, and collective generosity. She doesn't shy from the atrocities or underplay the substantial gray areas, the messy sections of life and politics, and the importance of hindsight given to historians and future generations.
More so than that, she was able to share down right impressive and inspiring facts that left me even more flabbergasted and frustrated that we hadn't learned more about this complex area. In particular how very connected very significant events and movements in the United States were effected or influenced by witnessing events in Cuba or the fears and speculation that drove us to trying to use this particular country as our own chess piece.
Absolutely enlightening.
I was pleasantly surprised to find such a concise, accessible, and engaging read. Ferrer clearly has a lot of passion for the past and is both proud and honest. She highlights heroes, villains, greed, and collective generosity. She doesn't shy from the atrocities or underplay the substantial gray areas, the messy sections of life and politics, and the importance of hindsight given to historians and future generations.
More so than that, she was able to share down right impressive and inspiring facts that left me even more flabbergasted and frustrated that we hadn't learned more about this complex area. In particular how very connected very significant events and movements in the United States were effected or influenced by witnessing events in Cuba or the fears and speculation that drove us to trying to use this particular country as our own chess piece.
Absolutely enlightening.
lisaxdf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0