As a pilot and a college student majoring in Spanish and International Affairs, this book hit home for me especially. It is the touching tale of a fighter pilot raised under Communist Cuba who learns nothing but to love Fidel Castro. As he grows older and travels to the USSR, he begins to recognize the flaws in this stiffling government -- and the injustice everywhere. At last, he turns against not only his country, but also his family and friends, and defects to the United States. From there the book discusses his heroic attempts to be reunited with his family -- until he at last successfully flies into Cuba, picks up his family, and leaves -- all without being detected by authorities. The suspenseful account will touch your heart and hopefully make you realize that liberty and freedom are things we should NEVER take for granted!

This is an incredible book, basically an autobiography, about how Lorenzo escaped from everything he worked so hard for and left people he loved in order to find freedom--the freedom to love, think, and be whoever one wants to be. He always knew there was something wrong with sacrificing and suffering so much in order to put the Revolution first. He realized that without putting one's family first, nothing is worthwhile. This true story is a perfect example of how love wins over darkness. It really was Lorenzo's love for his family that helped him to do the daring and dangerous things he did. I think I learned more about Cuba and its people than I ever did in any history class and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the island that seems to mystify the average US citizen (or, at least, me).

This is a tremendous book - the best I have read in a long, long time. I highly recommend it. It is gripping, moving and inspiring. It is at once a biography, an adventure and a moving love story of a man, for his wife and family. Lorenzo was a Major in the Cuban Air Force, who became so disillusioned with Communism and the Castros, that he had to leave Cuba. He defected to the United States but had to leave his family behind. This is the story of how he accepted Raul Castro's challenge (dare) and went back to Cuba to rescue his family. I could not put this book down. LED