Enduring Cuba (Lonely Planet Journeys): Amazon.co.uk: Zoe Bran: Books

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Trading with the Enemy, rev.: A Yankee Travels Through Castro's Cuba

by Tom Miller

5.0 out of 5 stars (1) �8.99

Cuba (Lonely Planet Country Guide)

by Brendan Sainsbury

4.2 out of 5 stars (5) �8.16

Dirty Havana Trilogy

by Pedro Juan Gutierrez

4.3 out of 5 stars (18) �5.06

Our Man in Havana (Vintage Classics)

by Graham Greene

4.7 out of 5 stars (18) �5.39

Waiting for Snow in Havana

by Carlos M.N. Eire

4.4 out of 5 stars (7) �6.99

› Explore similar items

Customers Viewing This Page May Be Interested in These Sponsored Links

(What is this?)

Lonely Planet Cuba

www.LonelyPlanet.com 30% off Lonely Planet guides Free delivery with minimum spend

Cuba Holidays

www.bestatcubaholidays.co.uk Specialists in discount holidays and hotel rooms in Cuba

Cuba

www.TripAdvisor.co.uk Know Before You Go. Read Reviews from Real Travelers.

Product Description

Review
...Lonely Planet, the intrepid traveler's bible...' --Los Angeles Times, April 2005

Product Description
Intrigued by Cuba, Zoe Bran visits this country of contradictions and interweaving history and current events, personal and wider viewpoints, she paints a revealing picture of contemporary Cuba.

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

(What's this?)

Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)

lonely planet

Customer Reviews

9 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

3.9 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well written and very interesting but not wholly accurate, 4 Aug 2004

By	S Thomas - See all my reviews

I read this book within a month of returning from a trip to Cuba (also as a solo female) and found that many of my experiences matched those of the author with one major difference, she chose to fear them rather than embrace them. She appears to have a negative mindset from the outset, which colours her view of things and,I fear, may unfairly influence those who haven't visited themselves.

By all means read the book for a good insight into Cuba but bear in mind its missing much of the positive experiences that can be gained from a visit to the country. It largely ignores two major factors, most importantly, the joy d'vivre of the Cubans despite, or maybe because of, their economic hardships; and secondly, the life enhancing experinece that can be found in embracing the country's lack of commercialism and focus on simple pleasures in life such as music, landscape and human interaction.

Comment Comment (1) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An hard look at a little known country, 21 Sep 2002

By A Customer

This is a really fascinating read. It was good to pick up a book that wasn't all salsa and rum. Cuba is one of the world's last dictatorships and Bran doesn't hesitate to get involved with the lives of ordinary Cuban's, questioning, digging and finally stripping away the layers of courtesy and smiles to reveal the private hell that many Cuban's live in today as a result of Castro's political ideology and US spite. There's blood and magic too, as the reader is taken through a private Santeria ceremony in the remote south east of the island. Bran's grasp of history is excellent; there's Mafia, Hemingway and conquistador's - this is a great way to get a grip on what came before Castro and Che Guevara. You feel you're seeing with Bran as she travels from one end of the island to the other meeting taxi drivers, nurses, artists, writers and ex pats. But this is not just a travel book, thought and skill have gone into the actual writing which is often quite beautiful and raises Enduring Cuba above the ordinary run of travel books. Highly recommended.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Enduring this book, 24 Nov 2004

By	C. Brophy (UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I visited Cuba before I read this. I was backpacking with a friend from Peru so I feel I have a certain knowledge of the country. I did not like this book. First of all I found it quite boring and it was a struggle at times to keep going. It improved towards the end and does provide some food for thought but overall the whole book is told in such a dull, dreary, depressing manner. Also I found the author a bit arrogant and aloof at times. Cuba is a unique country in the world and has many very good things going for it (especially comparing it to other Latin American countries) and very bad things e.g. the day-today struggle of the people but it is a fascinating place nonetheless. There is just no excuse for the book to be boring. It was as if her writing style had to mirror her perceived struggle of the people. Not a travel book, not a good analysis of the political situation - didn't achieve at any level. Some food for thought and that's it. I could do better myself.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 9 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars A miscellany of first impressions of Cuba
This Cuba travelogue contains a mix of historical notes, interviews, descriptions of towns and journeys, and anecdotes about chance meetings. Read more

Published 5 months ago by Geoff Parkes

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb mix of comment and description
While criticised by some readers for negativity, the preface to this book makes clear that, on the contrary, its author travelled to Cuba with an essentially positive view of the... Read more

Published 5 months ago by Mr. Andrew J. R. West

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just food for thought
I read this book while working in Key West - an island which generates a lot of currency from its proximity to Cuba. Read more

Published on 16 Feb 2007 by Jeremy Fenn-Smith

4.0 out of 5 stars tedious in parts
I sympathise with the reviewer who wrote 'enduring this book'! Yes it was a bit dry and serious. But it also had some really interesting observations, and I think it's worth... Read more

Published on 3 April 2005 by cuba fan

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read!
I found this book really interesting. Having been to Cuba I felt this book conveyed a side of life that I was unable to see or join in with as a tourist, but that I got glimpses... Read more

Published on 1 Dec 2004

3.0 out of 5 stars Introducing a little known country
I expected a more pleasant book than this, I thought it would be 'light reading'. This book is about a country though, not an all-inclusive holiday destination. Read more

Published on 19 Aug 2002

› See all 9 customer reviews...

Listmania!

Stuff I like: A list by "harold_pinter"
Books Everyone should have read atleast once..: A list by Red "Red"
Books I've read... while being 16/17 years old: A list by Mr. Mojo Risin'

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Books > History > Countries & Regions > Central America & Caribbean
Books > Travel & Holiday > Countries & Regions > Caribbean > Cuba
Books > Travel & Holiday > Countries & Regions > Central & South America
Books > Travel & Holiday > Guidebook Series > Lonely Planet
Books > Travel & Holiday > Travel Writing

Feedback

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.

The Body Shop

Protect and boost your glow with The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost.

›Shop The Body Shop

Let Olay Amaze You

Amazon.co.uk sells all your favourite ranges from Olay, including Regenerist and Total Effects.

›Discover Olay at Amazon.co.uk

We've Got Converse

Stock up on your favourite styles with great deals on Converse shoes.

›Shop Converse

Treat Someone

With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

	41% buy the item featured on this page: Enduring Cuba (Lonely Planet Journeys) 3.9 out of 5 stars (9)
	25% buy Cuba (Lonely Planet Country Guide) 4.2 out of 5 stars (5) �8.16
	15% buy Trading with the Enemy, rev.: A Yankee Travels Through Castro's Cuba 5.0 out of 5 stars (1) �8.99
	10% buy Dirty Havana Trilogy 4.3 out of 5 stars (18) �5.06


Amazon Home

International Sites: United States \| Germany \| France \| Japan \| Canada \| China

Business Programs: Sell on Amazon \| Fulfilment by Amazon \| Join Associates \| Join Advantage

Customer Service \| Help \| View Basket \| Your Account

About Amazon.co.uk \| Careers at Amazon

Enduring Cuba (Lonely Planet Journeys) (Paperback)

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Product details

Customers Viewing This Page May Be Interested in These Sponsored Links

Product Description

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Customer Reviews

Customer Discussions

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Start a new discussion

Listmania!

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

The Body Shop

Let Olay Amaze You

We've Got Converse

Treat Someone

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History