Cuba: An American History

In thirty-three insightful and nuanced chapters, Ada Ferrer presents the history of Cuba spanning more than five centuries, beginning with the Spanish arrival on the island and concluding with President Obama’s visit in 2016. The author highlights the cultural, economic, and political ties between Cuba and the United States. As she shows, each country’s earliest history was strongly influenced by the weight of colonialism, and the lasting legacy of slavery as well. The Cuban government did not abolish slavery until 1881, and many Americans set up sugar plantations on the island to take advantage of this workforce even after it had ended in the US.

Ferrer, a Cuban American historian, has strong Cuban ties. Her parents fled Havana for show more Miami in 1963 when she was a baby, after Castro’s implementation of state run socialism. Throughout her professional career, she has focused her research on the island’s history. While all of the country’s eras are touched upon, the one that receives the most attention is the epoch surrounding the Fidel Castro led revolution and his leadership during the second half of the 20th century.

Two events are explored in depth: the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. While this book serves as an excellent introduction to the country’s history, just as well done is the exploration of the relationship between Cuba and the United States over five centuries. While Ferrer clearly has empathy with the Cuban people, as a historian she does not favor one country over the other, but lets the facts speak for themselves. show less

I knew little about Cuba before I read this book. I remember the Cuban missle crisis and the fear that permeated our lives, but I do not remember the Bay of Pigs fiasco. What surprised me most was how much the US and US businesses had their tentacles wrapped in, around, and through Cuba, even to the point that the Cuban government could do nothing without approval from the US. The US never having any imperialstic goals is shown clearly to be mythology.

I thought this was an incredibly well written book, an intriguing story to follow. Highly recommended, it certainly deserved the Pulitzer Prize.

I knew little about Cuba but always wanted to learn more, so I picked this up and it was so much better than I was expecting. Pulitzer Prize, no kidding. Intricate, carefully constructed history presented as neutral as possible. Excellent writing. Highly recommended. I'll have to read this again, it was that good

This is a book that needed to be written as it fills a gaping hole in the American History sorry. That is the never-ending relationship between the island and the United Staes from colonial times till the present. It includes well known episodes like the Spanish American War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. but there is so much more including the South's friendly relationship with Cuba during the Civil War period because they were still open to slavery. Another interesting theme is how gangsters descend on Cuba during prohibition as a profit maker as they are allowing alcohol and gambling. A great book.

It took me way too long to get through this book and through no fault of Ferrer’s. This history is written in a very accessible and captivating manner. It turns out there was a great deal of past events that affect today’s news of which I was unaware. Hopefully some of the details stick and if not, I will at least be more informed by the themes.

Good overview of the relations between US and Cuba. I wish that there was more about the recent years. Nicely highlights how badly we treat others!

Readable, engaging exploration of the entwined histories of the US and Cube. Recommended