edit 7 Feb. 06 -- I hadn't originally put a journal entry here for sake of speedily registering a PILE of books. Now that I see Lobodyke has made this into a bookray... This book was originally bought for a Latin American politics class with Prof. Edward Drachman at SUNY Geneseo, spring '03. I think he'd be tickled to see it travelling so far and wide. =)

sending via bookrelay to Lobodyke, Bardstown, KY

Ooooh, this is really embarrassing! Evidently, I put this book in a pile of other books when I received it from dospescados, then it got buried and I never logged it in. Anyway, I'm so sorry, and thanks for sending it to me anyway; I've started reading it now and am thoroughly enjoying it!

I just finished reading this book, and enjoyed it very much. Even though published in 2000, it was very informative, and the only reason I gave it an 8 is that there were several parts of the book where I felt the author really should have expanded on what she wrote. I want more! The essence of the book is best captured by a review from the back:

"An unusually, insightful, brutally candid book. Moses offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at a very interesting turning point in the history of Cuba. Her intellectual honesty, her engaging humor, and her deep love for Cuba and the Cubans ooze from every page. It is a bittersweet account that captures graphically the haunting surrealism of the Cuban existence." Reviewed by Franklin Knight, Professor of History, Johns Hopkins University.

RELEASE NOTES:

I'm starting a bookray for this book, partly because I enjoyed it so much and partly because it fits well into Sheepseeker's 5-5-5 challenge. People who are part of that challenge will get priority in receiving the book. The preliminary order listed below is subject to change:

1. morsecode, NY, USA
2. buffra, WV, USA
3. mericat, Canada
4. Yet-so-tiny, Finland
5. Drusillamac, Scotland
6. RikkiDD, Germany
7. ekaterin4luv, Germany
8. lmn60, Australia
9. RainDrop162004, CT, USA
10. Hellie, Tyne and Wear, UK

It will be going out to morsecode first. Note to all recipients:Please log the book in ASAP after you receive it, and take no longer than 30 days to read and release to the next person. Check my bookshelf notes to see who the next person on the list is, and PM them to get their address. If you have a problem getting a response, please let me know. Thanks for joining!

This book arrived safe and sound in Buffalo today.

Here's the mailing order of recipients for this ray, effective 3-28-06:
1. morsecode, NY, USA
2. buffra, WV, USA
3. Thursday5, OH, USA
4. mericat, Canada *received 5-19*
5. Yet-so-tiny, Finland
6. Drusillamac, Scotland
7. RikkiDD, Germany
8. saguna, Germany
9. ekaterin4luv, Germany
10. lmn60, Australia
11. RainDrop162004, CT, USA
12. YowlYY, Nottinghamshire, UK
13. Hellie, Tyne and Wear, UK

Note to all recipients:Please log the book in ASAP after you receive it, and take no longer than 25 days to read and release to the next person. Check my most recent journal entry on the book to see who the next person on the list is, and PM them to get their address. If you have a problem getting a response, please let me know. Thanks for joining!

This was a really interesting book. As I was reading it, I realized that really didn't know all that much about Cuba.
The author is repetitive at times and doesn't flesh things out at others, but she definitely gives a good perspective on the nation and its people.
All in all this was a good book (and a quick read). I definitely know more about Cuba now than I did before I read it.

I'm sending this on to buffra today.

Lobodyke, thanks again for starting this ring and for inviting those of us who are working on the 5-5-5 challenge.

arrived! yippee!!

There are so many things I want to say. I find that they are not directly in connection with the book, however.

I was lucky enough to spend time in Cuba, some years after Moses's time there. I found that things were a bit different than the Cuba described by Moses. Perhaps the years that passed between her visit and mine had been a time of not-insignificant change.

I’ve found – not just with this book, but with everything regarding Cuba – that there are two schools of thought. Castro as hero (“Papa Fidel”) and Castro as evil. Unfortunately, I think the truth lies between those two poles. True, under his rule, Cuba has received acclaim from the UN (UNESCO) for one of the highest literacy rates in the world. But they have also suffered terribly.

One of the things that I found interesting was that Moses didn’t delve into the effects of US policy on Cuba. The “Special Period” is the time that Cuba is (still) in – the time of the US-enforced trade embargo with Cuba. Supposedly because of their Communist politics (and because of Cuban-Americans in Miami, our still unresolved feelings over the Bay of Pigs, and the fact that Castro overthrew *our* chosen leader), but we enforce no such trade embargo on, oh, say China? Many of Cuba’s struggles are not simply due to Castro’s policies – in fact, some of his policies are quite sensible – but are due to the fact that their nearest neighbor (US) will not export goods, medical supplies, or other necessary items to them.

Having also spent time in South America, I will add that my impression of Cuba was not one of such extreme poverty and...disparity as Peru and Bolivia displayed. Havana is beautiful – and clean. Children are clothed. In worn clothing, yes, but clothed. There were no beggars; no children picking through garbage; no bare feet. It was a surprise to me to see how un-impoverished the people were. Not to say that they live lives of luxury, certainly not. But some of the ideas of what is “required” for the good life are relative, of course.

Anyway, I’m off on a tangent and not even talking about the book. It was a quick read, a good introduction, though I found it a bit limited in its perspective. I would have liked a bit more background and history (how were things for the average person under Batista?) but I know that wasn’t within the scope of this book.

Thanks for sharing it.

The book arrived safe and sound today. I'm looking forward to reading it!

I'm glad I had a chance to read this book-thank you Lobodyke for organizing the bookring.
It is so important to be aware of how others in the world live. Understanding of the political situation in Cuba was what I thought I would get out of the book, and I did, but I was reminded once again of how political persectution can not crush the human spirit or the love and hope expressed in family, community, and faith. One of the saddest lines in the book was, "there are thousands of educated thinkers held prisoner in their own minds", referring to the lack of freedom of expression. The blurb on the back of the book that best expresses my assessment of the book gives this review: "A heartfelt account of the daunting trials that confront the Cuban people, written with passion and affection."
I will send the book off to Mericat as soon as I get an answer my PM requesting an address.

After having some PMing problems I finally got mericat's address today and sent the book to Canada via airmail. The postmaster did warn me that mail to Canada has been very slow lately. Hope you get it soon Maricat :->

Recieved May 19, 2006.

Thursday5: Mail to Canada has indeed been slow. I haven't even been getting some of my mail so I'm happy the book arrived.

This book was interesting to read. I'm skeptical as to how accurate a portrayal it is because it was written by an America ambassador in Cuba who actively undermined local laws. It seemed biased to me, though I don't coubt her passion for the people she writes about.

I'm waiting for Yet_so_tiny's address so I can pass it on.