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.

Enjoying this book. First bought it in Audio but am enjoying a more detailed reading.

Ada Ferrer ably and eloquently ties together the histories of Cuba and the United States in this lengthy book which won the Pulitzer Prize. The relationship between the two countries is contentious and complicated and continuing as the news headlines report. Ferrer is fair and informed. The book has some fine photographs and a detailed map in the beginning.

Para quem acha que sabe tudo sobre Cuba e pensa que é o pior lugar do planeta, o livro desconstrói esta noção, localizando, historicamente, como os Estados Unidos fizeram com que a ilha remanescesse como umas das localidades na América Latina que, desde a chegada de Colombo, em 1492, até os dias atuais, a opressão colonialista/imperialista fosse a regra.

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.

Great book to know about Cuba