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Review
"Gott's invaluable [book] dispels many convenient myths." Adam Feinstein, Guardian "authoritative... a compelling account." Louis A. Perez, Times Literary Supplement "Written with verve and scholarship,... the best history [of Cuba] yet." Ian Thomson, Saturday Telegraph "Accessible and well researched." Richard Lapper, Financial Times "Gott is always an interesting, well-informed, and engaging writer." Foreign Affairs "for some time it has been clear that there is a need for a more up-to-date account of Cuba's extraordinary history. Richard Gott's new book fits the bill splendidly.... He writes with balance, penetration and an eye for detail. Perry Anderson, New Statesman "Told with simplicity and a fresh synthesis... A wonderful account." Eliseo Cardona, South Florida Sun-Sentinel"
Willesden and Kingston Times, 14th December 2005
'A comprehensive first-hand account of why Cuba continues to fascinate the world in the 21st century.'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book should be read by everyone interested in Cuba, in Fidel Castro, and in a nation whose history goes back far earlier than its modern manifestation. Richard Gott has brought a lifetime of expertise to the task, and writes, as in all his books, with wit and wisdom. He has an enviable eye for fascinating, and telling detail, and he unravels history's "granny knots" with unerring skill.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Cuba's history is vast and complex, and Gott does an admirable job in trying to make sense of it all. However, particularly in the first two and a half chapters, he struggles to maintain interest, and at times it can descend into what feels like a list of battles and names, with little overall coherence. Additionally, he constantly looks forward to the future, forseeing revolution 200 years before it happened. Such a teleological approach can be frustrating, and at times does lead to some inaccurate comparisons between historical figures and Raul, Fidel and Che.
However, in the more modern chapters, Gott does a fantastic job of providing a fair-minded review of Cuba's history. His analysis of the 20th century, and particularly the survey of Cuban-American relations, is detailed and wonderfully written. He makes sense of a complex subject, and provides an account which gives a strong sense of impartiality and intellectual analysis, free from moral critique of either side. For the later chapters, Gott really gets into his stride, and the book is very much worth reading for this analysis alone. Struggle through the first couple of dry chapters and you will discover a rich, well-written history.
However, in the more modern chapters, Gott does a fantastic job of providing a fair-minded review of Cuba's history. His analysis of the 20th century, and particularly the survey of Cuban-American relations, is detailed and wonderfully written. He makes sense of a complex subject, and provides an account which gives a strong sense of impartiality and intellectual analysis, free from moral critique of either side. For the later chapters, Gott really gets into his stride, and the book is very much worth reading for this analysis alone. Struggle through the first couple of dry chapters and you will discover a rich, well-written history.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
'Cuba: A New History' is an excellent account of Cuban history up until this books publication in 2004. Gott manages to write in a completely engaging way and draws you in to the rich and diverse history of this amazing Caribbean island. This is in no way a dry and uninspiring read, but one that helps you immerse yourself in the history and developments over the years. From Spanish colonial rule, US intervention and soviet support, Cuba has managed to retain some remnant of it's own identity and this book shows this side perfectly. The first 100 pages (looking at Spanish Colonial rule and the slave trades to Cuba) were the hardest to engage with for me, but as soon as the revolution occurred and the book focused on the Castro government and all that it entails, I became hooked to this masterly text. The author doesn't seem overly biased one way or the other, although you can tell he has respect for this tiny island nation. He doesn't seem to be too sensationalist either, for example when Che Guevara dies it is noted in quite an understated way and not overly hyped to have a greater impact. Two minor flaws with this book are the tiny font which by the end had given me serious eye strain, why academic texts insist on using this size font I'll never know. And the other flaw is a distinct lack of decent photography to add to the package. There are a few pages of grey photos in the middle, but not on good quality paper, or especially relevant to the overall text, i've come to expect better from history books these days. These are minor flaws in what is a brilliant account of Cuban history which leaves you with some indication of what the future may hold as well. If Cuba interests you in the slightest, I'd seriously recommend you take a look at this book.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great Book
Have done two University essays on Cuba and this book has been a solid basis for both. Highly recommended for anyone similarly fascinated by Cuba's history.
Published 3 months ago by Handles
An excellent summary of the history
I didn't read the first 100 pages as I'm really only interested in the Castro history, but I found this book very well researched, informative and well written. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Keith M
Great read
Still reading this book after visiting Cuba for the first time his year. Richard Gott's book is a very balanced view of Cuba's history, which is something that is not easy to find. Read more
Published 19 months ago by M. B. Layward
Good reference and readable
I read this book after being fascinated by Cuban history and politics during a holiday there. The book has great attention to detail and is very readable. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Downthedip2000
cuba
This excellent book must be considered as a definative history of Cuba.It covers the period 1511-2003 but does not include the reapproachment between Cuba and Americawhich appears... Read more
Published on 11 April 2009 by G. I. Forbes
Useful account of Cuba's long struggle for sovereignty
Richard Gott is a British journalist and historian with many years' experience of covering Latin America. Read more
Published on 19 Nov 2004 by William Podmore
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