A Contemporary Cuba Reader
Reinventing the Revolution
Published on 4. October 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-0-7425-5507-5 (ISBN)
Description
A second edition of this book is now available. This anthology brings together the best recent scholarship and writing on Cuban politics, economics, foreign relations, society, and culture in the post-Soviet era, which Cubans call the "Special Period." Ideally suited for students and general readers seeking to understand contemporary Cuba, the book includes a substantive introduction setting the historical context, as well as part introductions and a chronology.
Reviews / Votes
[An] excellent anthology... These articles by various scholars examine the role of the Communist Party and the armed forces, agricultural transformation, the emergence of class divisions in the 'dollar economy,' cultural changes and various aspects of Cuban foreign policy. For readers who hope to understand contemporary Cuba and our relationship with her government and people, these essays will be highly informative. Booklist This comprehensive and impressive anthology traces the extraordinary transition process that took place during what Fidel Castro dubbed Cuba's 'Special Period.' ... The stated goal of the editors is to provide undergraduates with a resource that brings together the best of Cuban scholarship, and they have certainly done that... There remains so much in this book that is relevant, worthwhile, and informative that it may be recommended to all students of contemporary Cuba and as an excellent core reader for any course on the same topic. Journal of Latin American Studies This amalgamation of Cuban politics, economics, foreign policy, social issues and culture leaves even the experienced cubanologist feeling that she or he has been on an essential crash course to understand contemporary Cuba... I congratulate the editors and contributors for producing an informative, well-organized and timely book. International Journal Of Cuban Studies The 49 contributions to this outstanding anthology trace continuity and change during Cuba's 'special period' (1986-2006) in the country's foreign policy, domestic economics and politics, social values, culture, and media. Foreign Affairs This is a wonderful resource for the study, discussion, and understanding of the contemporary history of Cuba. Delving into often-ignored areas of daily and institutional experience, and opening with an admirably lucid introduction, this text will become an indispensable tool for the teaching of contemporary Cuba in the English-speaking world. -- James Dunkerley, University of London This book is outstanding in both the breadth and depth of its coverage of Cuba today. The forty-nine contributions span the gamut of Cuban politics, economics, foreign policy, social transformation, and culture. The coeditors are to be applauded for an engaging volume that will stand the test of time. -- Cynthia McClintock, George Washington University With chapters written by an international who's who of specialists in contemporary Cuban politics, international relations, economics, culture, and society-all framed by an uncommonly useful introduction-A Contemporary Cuba Reader is among those few edited volumes that should be on every Latin Americanist's bookshelf. Highly recommended. -- Lars Schoultz, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill [This] is an absolute must for anyone interested in exploring another dimension of Cuban culture. Bulletin of Latin American ResearchMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 256 mm
Width: 180 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
898 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7425-5507-5 (9780742555075)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Philip Brenner is professor of international relations and director of the Inter-Disciplinary Council on Latin America at American University. Marguerite Rose Jimenez is a graduate student in the School of International Service at American University. John M. Kirk is professor of Latin American studies at Dalhousie University. William M. LeoGrande is dean of the School of Public Affairs and professor of government at American University.
Content
Introduction: History as Prologue: Cuba before the Special Period Part I: Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution Chapter 1: The Revolutionary and Political Content of Fidel Castro's Charismatic Authority Chapter 2: July 26. History Absolved Him. Now What? Part II: Politics Chapter 3: "The Cuban Nation's Single Party": The Communist Party of Cuba Faces the Future Chapter 4: Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces: Last Bulwark of the State! Last Bulwark of the Revolution? Chapter 5: On Cuban Democracy: Cuba and the Democratic Culture Chapter 6: Successes and Failures of a Decentralizing Experience: Cuba's Local Governments Chapter 7: Society, Civil Society, and the State: An Uneasy Three-Way Affair Chapter 8: Miami Herald Cuba Poll: The Findings and How Cubans Responded to Questions Chapter 9: Cuba's Catholic Dissident: The Saga of Oswaldo Paya Part III: Economics Chapter 10: Development as an Unfinished Affair: Cuba after the "Great Adjustment" of the 1990s Chapter 11: The Cuban Economy: Amid Economic Stagnation and Reversal of Reforms Chapter 12: Cutting Losses: Cuba Downsizes Its Sugar Industry Chapter 13: The Political Economy of Leisure Chapter 14: Going against the Grain: Agricultural Crisis and Transformation Chapter 15: Vale Todo: In Cuba's Paladares, Everything Is Prohibited but Anything Goes Chapter 16: Dollarization and Its Discontents: Remittances and Cuba's Remaking in the Post-Soviet Era Part IV: Foreign Policy Chapter 17: Neoliberalism, Global Inequality, and Irreparable Destruction of Our Natural Habitat: Message to the 11th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Chapter 18: Cuba and the Pax Americana Chapter 19: Cuba's Counter-Hegemonic Strategy Chapter 20: Like Sisyphus' Stone: U.S.-Cuban Relations in the Aftermath of September 11, 2001 Chapter 21: Advancing the Day When Cuba Will Be Free Chapter 22: Fidel's Final Victory Chapter 23: Wanted: A Logical Cuba Policy Chapter 24: The Cuban Five and the U.S. War against Terror Chapter 25: The European Union's Perception of Cuba: From Frustration to Irritation Chapter 26: Sleeping with an Elephant Chapter 27: Cuban Americans and Their Transnational Ties Part V: Society Chapter 28: In the Shadow of Plenty, Cuba Copes with a Crippled Health Care System Chapter 29: Social Impact of the Economic Measures Chapter 30: Cuban Youth: Aspirations, Social Perceptions, and Identity Chapter 31: The Cuban Education System: Lessons and Dilemmas Chapter 32: Early Childhood Education in Revolutionary Cuba during the Special Period Chapter 33: Heroines of the Special Period Chapter 34: The Status of Cuban Women: From Economically Dependent to Independent Chapter 35: Recreating Racism: Race and Discrimination in Cuba's Special Period Chapter 36: The Status of Gays in Cuba: Myth and Reality Chapter 37: Civil Society and Religion in Cuba: Past, Present, and Future Chapter 38: There Is No Homeland without Virtue Part VI: Culture Chapter 39: A Black Woman from Cuba, That's All: An Interview with Nancy Morejon Chapter 40: Living and Creating in Cuba: Risks and Challenges Chapter 41: Visions of Dollars Dance before Cuban Artists' Eyes Chapter 42: Ballet: Split with Cuba Still Brings Pain Chapter 43: Cuban Cinema Chapter 44: Two Songs Chapter 45: From the Heart of Cuba, a Love Song for the Crescent City Chapter 46: Rap and Revolution: Hip-Hop Comes to Cuba Chapter 47: Home-Grown Virtuosos Chapter 48: The Dual Role of Sports Chapter 49: The Cuban Media