This book is an insightful, intelligent view into the history of a people in continual state of exile. It transcends their history from before the American Revolution (and the Cuban contributions to it) to modern day tussles with Castro's regime. I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to broaden their knowledge of a culturally diverse and colorful people who have contributed much to the United States and the world. A "Must Read" in my opinion!

"Cubans in America" is a book detailing the history, culture, and character of the Cuban people and their contributions to American life in all aspects, from politics to entertainment. It's a book which inspired in me a great appreciation for the United States, how this land is truly a melting pot, with a detailed look at how this particular group of people have influenced and contributed to its culture. "Cubans in America" also chronicles the history of Cuba, the people who have had the most effect on her destiny, from colonial times to the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the modern day exile movements, including the Elián González saga. Most enjoyable in the book are also all of the photo captions and facts about famous Cuban Americans, such as actor Desi Arnaz and New York Yankees pitcher Orlando Hernández. A terrific book that shows one of the many origins of what is the fabric of the United States while providing an excellent history of our Caribbean neighbours.

In its tenth edition, this mammoth tome is rightly considered to be the "bible" of Cuban Studies. It both covers a wide breadth of political subjects and has an equally wide variety of contributors. Anyone wishing one-stop shopping for understanding the last 40 years in Cuba and Cuba-American relations will find this to be a beneficial purchase.

The author purports to update the previous (third) edition of his book. However, there are numerous places (see pp. 81, 176, 186, 193, and 197) in the book that suggest that there was no update other than Chapters 15-17 which are actually in a different type from the rest of the book. For example, the book stills discusses the Soviet Union in the present tense. With respect to the content of the book, the author spends all of 10 pages, 12 pages if one includes the map of Cuba, discussing the indigenous people of Cuba. The discussion of Castro's rule is tedious. The analysis of the future of Cuba after Castro is obvious and superficial. Save your money.

I found myself reading much of this book as I would a novel. I was interested in it primarily due to my own ties to Cuba, however, the style and in-sight into the history and mind set of the Cuban people is truly intriguing. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the earliest Cubans and the other indigenous people in the Carribean.

THIS IS THE BEST AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND WORK ABOUT CUBA RECENT HISTORY BASED IN THE ORIGINS OF CUBAS PEOPLE AND A MUST TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HISTORY DESERVES

This book is not scholarly in the least. It is written at what seems to be an 8th grade reading level, it is "concise" (i.e., it makes sweeping generalizations and it is extremely short for a 3,000 year history), it lacks continunuity, and the author makes odd assumptions (he writes as though speaking for the mexican people as a whole when it comes to matters of opinion). It works as strictly as elementary summary of Mexican history for the beginner. It's basically Cliff's Notes for people who want to have a minor understanding of what this fascinating country is about. Oh, and it's overpriced as well.

If you looking for an extremely brief and summarized account of Mexican History, this is a good book. I would recomend it for people who are looking for a quick read in order to have an idea of Mexican history (people visiting on vacation, for instance), for people who have taken history a long time ago and only need to refresh their memory (which was my case), or for people who like to start with easy things before plunging into the subject. For me, it served its purpose but I have to say that for the price I payed, I was expecting something more. Extremely overpriced!

The virtues first: this book manages to cover some one thousand years of complex history in a little over 200 pages. No mean task. Now, the problems: a wooden, occasionally opaque, prose style drives the narrative. Too often there is inattention to important details and, particularly in the closing chapters, the author reveals his ideological proclivities [right/center apparatchik and apologist for both Republican and PRI policies]. Beyond these interpretive biases, there is little sense that Suchlicki is moved by the drama or scope of Mexican history. Very little reliance on primary sources, very few quotations, very few telling anecdotes. In short, an uninspired and dreary read of an inspiring and dramatic subject. Too bad.