Cuba: An American History

The real History of Cuba. I enjoy reading this book very much and I got to know many facts of the Cuban History they don't teach you in schools. Congratulations to the author for the Pulitzer prize. Very well deserved.

"Cuba: An American History" provides quite a detailed history of Cuba from colonial to modern times. The book also focused on its relationship to the US. While I was familiar with figures from Cuban history like Josie Martie, Antonio Maceo, and Fidel Castro and some aspects of the island's fight for independence and the start of US control at the end of the nineteenth century, this book highlights much about the country and its notable figures over the past centuries. Ada Ferrer provided an extensive history of Cuba, over five hundred pages long, with comprehensive notes, references for further reading, and some photographs. Overall, it was a very engaging read for me.

This book was very big on detail of Cuba, perhaps too much for some !

Beautifully written, consistently illuminating and a must read not only for US citizens but also for all readers who wish to really understand the effects of imperialism.Yes, this is about the impact of US regional power on the history of Cuba and the intimate connection between these societies but it has wider implications not just for the Caribbean and Latin America. I have learned much about the history of Cuba which I previously missed through the common misunderstanding caused by only knowing it in fragments. Seeing history from Cuba is not only essential for the US but also for the rest of us.

Well written and captures everything you want to learn about Cuba.

Read this book before my trip to Cuba. It paints a very interesting picture of Cuba’s relationship with the world around it. Would recommend to anyone looking to understand more about this fascinating country.

I have always been fascinated with Cuba and when I got the chance to read this one which is a finalist for the Cundill History Prize I was excited. It is a decent size book that you can really get your teeth stuck into. I always enjoy it when books travel back in time and have pictures that help the reader understand more about what they are reading. It provided me with a fascinating insight into what Cuba was like back in the day to what it is like now. All the troubles they have had too. I found I learnt so much more to Cuba after reading this powerful and insightful book. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more or is intrigued about Cuba.

A powerful and eye-opening history lesson As a lifelong history buff, I was stunned by how much I didn’t know. This book opened my eyes to the deep and often disturbing connections between Cuba and the United States. The chapter on Christopher Columbus was particularly revealing, but what truly shocked me was learning how high-level American politicians and wealthy businessmen played a central role in the transatlantic slave trade—long after it was outlawed. It’s a shameful legacy that made me feel embarrassed as an American, especially given how blatantly these actions betrayed the very ideals laid out in the Declaration of Independence. What I appreciated most is how this book helped me see things from a Latin American perspective—something I hadn’t fully grasped before. While I believe the U.S. acted more nobly in the 20th century during the World Wars and the Cold War, the 1800s reveal a predatory, imperialist power that often acted in complete contradiction to its stated values. The writing is superb, and the narrator’s voice (if you’re listening to the audiobook) makes it a pleasure to follow. This book gave me a whole new level of understanding—both of Cuba’s history and of my own country’s role in it.

Wow. Everyone who wants to know the whole story behind how Cuba arrived where it is today should read this.

Great book to know about Cuba

excellent insight and very informative. easy to read. a must read book for every individual

This is a serious book about Cuba. It is not an easy read and you'd have to be seriously interested in Cuba to find it worthwhile. That said, it;s by far the best book on Cuba and the United States I have ever read--the author's approach is to emphasize the interconnections between the US and Cuba, which are deeper than most people think. Tampa's cigar industry dates to Cuban exiles in the 1880s and 1890s, and in the Tampa area, Cuban coffee and the Cuban sandwich are common and on many menus. The author's writing is clear and flows very well. Her knowledge of both Cuban and American history is deep and the book is extremely informative. I think progressives will like the book more than conservatives, because she sees villains on both sides of the narrow waters that separate the island from the U.S.