Cuba (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize)

An American History

De: Ada Ferrer

Narrado por: Alma Cuervo, Ada Ferrer - prologue

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE IN HISTORY

WINNER OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE IN HISTORY

“Full of…lively insights and lucid prose” (The Wall Street Journal) an epic, sweeping history of Cuba and its complex ties to the United States—from before the arrival of Columbus to the present day—written by one of the world’s leading historians of Cuba.

In 1961, at the height of the Cold War, the United States severed diplomatic relations with Cuba, where a momentous revolution had taken power three years earlier. For more than half a century, the stand-off continued—through the tenure of ten American presidents and the fifty-year rule of Fidel Castro. His death in 2016, and the retirement of his brother and successor Raúl Castro in 2021, have spurred questions about the country’s future. Meanwhile, politics in Washington—Barack Obama’s opening to the island, Donald Trump’s reversal of that policy, and the election of Joe Biden—have made the relationship between the two nations a subject of debate once more.

Now, award-winning historian Ada Ferrer delivers an “important” (The Guardian) and moving chronicle that demands a new reckoning with both the island’s past and its relationship with the United States. Spanning more than five centuries, Cuba: An American History provides us with a front-row seat as we witness the evolution of the modern nation, with its dramatic record of conquest and colonization, of slavery and freedom, of independence and revolutions made and unmade.

Along the way, Ferrer explores the sometimes surprising, often troubled intimacy between the two countries, documenting not only the influence of the United States on Cuba but also the many ways the island has been a recurring presence in US affairs. This is a story that will give Americans unexpected insights into the history of their own nation and, in so doing, help them imagine a new relationship with Cuba; “readers will close [this] fascinating book with a sense of hope” (The Economist).

Filled with rousing stories and characters, and drawing on more than thirty years of research in Cuba, Spain, and the United States—as well as the author’s own extensive travel to the island over the same period—this is a stunning and monumental account like no other.

©2021 Ada Ferrer. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"[Alma Cuervo]'s a highly empathetic interpreter of Ferrer's narrative. The story is fascinating, enlightening, and often deeply moving as Cuervo recounts Cuba's sorry history of racial division, enslavement, and exploitation - most vividly, the crushing labor of its sugar plantations." (AudioFile Magazine)

revealing Truth

The book was well done chronicly
and Brings about an understanding of Cuba in the pass to present Day relations with the United States and leaves Room for stimulating independent thinking for a honest assessment of a truthful and fair solution ,To a 100 year plus problem with the United States.

Incredible Synthesis of Complex Materials

The text covers a wide range of time and topics, providing perspective of how intertwined the Cuban and United States are politically and economically. (Largely due to colonization and neocolonialism).

Easy to follow, informative, exceptionally important to understand in an era of significant change. ¡Viva Cuba Libre!

Highly recommend. Fantastic research, well organized text, and a strong performance of narration.

Anarchist-friendly critical socialist perspective

Could have used way more attention on people’s movements and organizations, very sweeping overview, sometimes far too sparse

A superb scholarly narrative of Cuban history!

Seldom one comes across a historical work that flows with the ease of an epic tale, the depth of an encyclopedic treatise, and the passion of a romantic novel. As a life-long student of Cuba, I can encapsulate the author’s labor with one word-superb!

Wonderful!

As a Cuban-American myself, this book is precious to me. The parts in the book of Cuban history I lived through in the island are very accurate, and I suspect so is the rest of the book. It has much detail I had not been exposed to before, such as Fidel’s political development and early affinity for Marx’s work, or Marti’s complex relationship with the USA. The book is very much worth a second and third read. It’s written by a fellow Cuban-American, but professor Ferrer is interested in scholarship and not settling scores.

So much I didn’t understand about Cuba

An interesting perspective: Cuba through the lens of the United States—people, politics, peace and revolution.

Thorough History

I love the voice of the reader and how it was presented, authentic and sincere.

Excellent book

Lots of facts, good story & reading. I understand the politics of Cuba much better now,

well written, gripping historical narrative based on many excellent scholarly studies framed by a compelling personal story.

well written, gripping historical narrative based on many excellent scholarly studies framed by a compelling personal story. nothing to critique.

A truly engaging Cuban history

This beautifully written and read book about Cuba through the lens of US-Cuban relations is a pure delight. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in history, geopolitics, Cuba, or the Caribbean. One if the best audiobooks I’ve listened to.