The complex domain of US - Cuban relations is changing every day, with new developments on both sides in terms of policy, which in turn affect the Cuban economy, society in Cuba, perspectives for future change, etc. Nevertheless, this book already back in 1997, managed to set an excellent framework on the theme of US - Cuban relations on the long term. Contrary to what one might expect, the fact that five years have now elapsed, has not made this book outdated. On the contrary, we can see indeed that some of the author's predictions became reality. Altogether, even today this remains a great book as a starting point to approach and study this fascinating and ever-changing topic. For sure, a new edition could add some interesting information to this study. Yet, for the purposes it sets itself, this book is still very very up-to-date and topical, and will likely remain so even after Castro is gone. While being an academic book in the field of political sciences and international relations more specifically, this is also a book about history, and as such will be invaluable for scholars of Cuban history at any time.

In such a short book, with indeed only three chapters besides the introduction and conclusions, the author has managed to put together, in a concise and excellently presented way, the facts and data of which the reader must be made aware, the various possible interpretations of these facts, as well as the author's own interpretations and analysis. The book is an excellent review of existing material on the subject (a great amount of research and critique has obviously gone into it), as well as a wonderful analysis of this material, with the addition of original material from the Cuban media and interviews, and the author's own points of view, which are always presented against any possible counter-arguments. All in all, a great start for anyone who would like to explore the exciting subject of US
- Cuban relations.

In this brief yet dense academic study, the author manages not only to expose data and propose his views on the issue, but also to capture the reader's analysis in a way that few very academic books can. While it tells of the intricate relation between the US embargo against Cuba and what happens in the island, the book also tells a lot on the repression of Castro's regime over. With crystal clarity and even some razor-sharp sarcasm, the author manages to identify some crucial features which make Cuban society unique, which can in fact be traced back to the horrible effects of US policy on the Cuban people, ensued by Castro's manipulation of this. All in all, Cuban policy can often be regarded as a big farce. While we condemn Castro's dictatorship or / and the US embargo, and in either case we share the suffering of the Cuban people, this book helps us see all this in a thrilling new light, filled with some witty humour and a good deal of sarcasm, making the book wonderful reading altogether.

Despite attempts to keep an open mind, I grew increasingly annoyed at the omissions, exaggerations and half-truths passed off as researched facts in this book. The author calls Cuba - a country under a dictator which holds no elections - a "democracy" and extols the virtues of the revolution without ever presenting the views and the injustices perpetrated against those who opposed the revolution. It is a shame that a work which could have been an objective scholarly book instead is little better than a propaganda pamphlet.

This book provides an excellent background to social dynamics in Cuba before, during and after the Cuban Revolution, and does a good job analyzing its causes and consequences. It is indeed a must for anyone trying to understand the Revolution. The right wing exile community in Florida will not like this book because it is one of the few that consciously tries to be objective, but that should not dissuade other readers from purchasing this book. It is a bit too crammed with charts and statistics in places, which makes it cumbersome, but those sections are skimmable. I will certainly use it in my undergraduate classes.

Perez-Stable traces magnificantly the origins and failures of the Cuban revolution to underlying currents in Cuban history. This multifaceted work places an emphasis on the impact of a monocultural sugar economy, and the Imperialist legacy of the United States in the formation of a revolutionary atmosphere in Cuba. She incorporates numerous statistics and raw data to justify her claims. Though impeccably researched, the "Cuban Revolution" is at times difficult to read. The sheer thoroughness of the work at certain points overwhelms the reader, and clouds the lucidity of the work. Nevertheless, the excellent research outshines its periodic unintelligibility, especially in its institutional analysis of Castro's regime's. The book offers a new insight into the functions and paralysis of Cuban political institutions under Castro. In addition, the "Cuban Revolution" makes an important contribution to understanding of womens' role in Castro's consolidation of power. This is a must read for any serious student of Cuban History or Latin American Studies.