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Cuba Libre!: Che, Fidel, and the Improbable Revolution That Changed World History Hardcover – Illustrated, January 22, 2019

by Tony Perrottet (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 187 ratings
See all formats and editions
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The surprising story of Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, and the scrappy band of rebel men and women who followed them.

Most people are familiar with the basics of the Cuban Revolution of 1956–1959: it was led by two of the twentieth century’s most charismatic figures, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara; it successfully overthrew the island nation’s US–backed dictator; and it quickly went awry under Fidel’s rule.
 
But less is remembered about the amateur nature of the movement or the lives of its players. In this wildly entertaining and meticulously researched account, historian and journalist Tony Perrottet unravels the human drama behind history’s most improbable revolution: a scruffy handful of self-taught revolutionaries—many of them kids just out of college, literature majors, and art students, and including a number of extraordinary women—who defeated 40,000 professional soldiers to overthrow the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. Cuba Libre!’s deep dive into the revolution reveals fascinating details: How did Fidel’s highly organized lover Celia Sánchez whip the male guerrillas into shape? Who were the two dozen American volunteers who joined the Cuban rebels? How do you make land mines from condensed milk cans—or, for that matter, cook chorizo à la guerrilla (sausage guerrilla-style)?
 
Cuba Libre! is an absorbing look back at a liberation movement that captured the world's imagination with its spectacular drama, foolhardy bravery, tragedy, and, sometimes, high comedy—and that set the stage for Cold War tensions that pushed the world to the brink of nuclear war.
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  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Publishing Group
  4. Publication date
    January 22, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    9.02 x 5.98 x 0.87 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0735218161
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0735218161
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A juicy jungle opera... Fascinating... [Perrottet's] lively, gossipy account steps back and allows the characters to speak for themselves... Humor abounds throughout the book too."
—Los Angeles Review of Books

“Perrottet does an excellent job capturing the absurdities that came with the revolution…Cuba Libre! brings history to life with thorough research and wildly addictive writing.” 
—Newsday

"With true storytelling verve, Tony Perrottet weaves the tale of Fidel Castro’s two year-long guerrilla war to oust Cuban dictator Batista. Cuba Libre is a welcome, highly readable romp through the opening scenes of Castro’s long turn on the world stage."
—Jon Lee Anderson, author of Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life

“An excellent chronology of Cuba’s liberation—dramatic, human, and illuminating.”
—Paul Theroux, author of The Great Railway Bazaar 

"An excellent new entry on the subject, with a memorable opening line and highly enjoyable chapters. If you read only one recent book on Cuba, have it be this delightful popular history."
—Library Journal (starred)

“Perrottet’s history excels in putting a human face on the fighters...the revolution’s real stars were the smart and strong women whoacted as spies, couriers, logistical experts, and ultimately as the bravest, fiercest, and most indispensible combatants.”
—Booklist

“Fast-paced and highly entertaining.”
—Book Page

"Tony Perrottet sure knows how to tell a story -- and what a story this is! With Cuba Libre!, Perrottet takes us far beyond the basic facts of the Cuban revolution to the juicy details that remind us that history is deeply human: Fidel's appearance on the Ed Sullivan show was followed by a poodle fashion parade; the rebels loved to read Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls between operations in the mountains; breaded snake cutlets were a favorite snack.... Perrottet gained access to private letters, diaries, and other documents no other historian has seen, and he has written a fabulous account of one of the most unlikely, romantic, astounding events of the 20th century."
—Chris Ryan, New York Times-bestselling author of Sex at Dawn and Civilized to Death
 
"Cuba cracked open its treasure chest of historical archives for Tony Perrottet and he uncovered so many long-lost secrets about the Revolution that even those who think they know all about Fidel’s improbable victory will end up shaking their heads in disbelief. Commanders who act like a Caribbean Rat Pack. Military maneuvers that resemble an Oceans Eleven escapade. And a series of long, long shots that, incredibly, paid off for the Castros. Perrottet tells this familiar story in an unforgettable way that is as raucous as it is revealing."         
—Anthony DePalma, author of The Man Who Invented Fidel

"Sexy, humorous, fast-moving and deeply-researched, Cuba Libre! overturns the mythology of the Cuban Revolution, while finding the genuinely epic dimensions of the island and its history. From the debauched present of Havana to the rebellious past of Santiago, the gimlet-eyed Tony Perrottet is a canny guide to all the dreams and miseries of Cuba. Should be banned by the Communist Party."
—Patrick Symmes, author of Chasing Che: A Motorcycle Journey in Search of the Che Legend and The Boys From Dolores: Fidel Castro's Schoolmates from Revolution to Exile

About the Author

Tony Perrottet is the author of six books: Cuba Libre!, Off the Deep End, Pagan Holiday, The Naked Olympics, Napoleon's Privates, and The Sinner's Grand Tour. His travel stories have been translated into a dozen languages and widely anthologized, having been selected six times for the Best American Travel Writing series. He is a regular television guest on the History Channel and a contributing writer at Smithsonian Magazine; his work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, T+L, Outside, Surface, and the London Sunday Times. He lives in New York.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Publishing Group; Illustrated edition (January 22, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0735218161
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0735218161
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.39 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.87 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 187 ratings

About the author

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Tony Perrottet

Tony Perrottet

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The need for perpetual motion has always been Tony Perrottet's most obvious personality disorder. While studying history at Sydney University, the Australian-born Perrottet regularly disappeared hitch-hiking through the Outback, sailing the coast of Sumatra or traveling through rural India (enjoying a brief and inglorious career as a film extra in Rajasthan). After graduation, he moved to South America to work as a "roving correspondent," where he covered the Shining Path war in Peru, drug running in Colombia and several military rebellions in Argentina. A brief visit to Manhattan fifteen years ago convinced him that New York was the ideal place for a rootless wanderer to be based. From his current home in the East Village of Manhattan, he has continued to commute to Iceland, Tierra del Fuego, Wyoming, Tasmania and Zanzibar, while contributing to international publications including the New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Wall St Journal, Slate, Esquire, Outside and the London Sunday Times.

Perrottet is the author of six books - a collection of travel stories, Off the Deep End: Travels in Forgotten Frontiers (1997); Pagan Holiday: On the Trail of Ancient Roman Tourists (2002); The Naked Olympics: The True Story of the Greek Games (2004); Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped (2008);The Sinner's Grand Tour: A Journey Through the Historical Underbelly of Europe (2011) and ¡Cuba Libre!: Che, Fidel and the Improbable Revolution That Changed World History (2019). His travel stories have been widely anthologized and have been selected seven times for the Best American Travel Writing series. He is also a regular television guest on the History Channel, where he has spoken about everything from the Crusades to the birth of disco.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
187 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book fascinating and engaging. They say it's well-written and highly readable.

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InformativeReadability
15 customers mention "Informative"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and interesting. They say it's engaging throughout and has many suggestions for further reading. Readers also describe the storytelling as riveting and enjoyable.

"...It's interesting and many suggestions for further reading are given at the end." Read more

"...Full of details and insight, the book is a fascinating view of both the spirit of humans to follow their convictions and their failings in the..." Read more

"...However, this thoroughly readable & enjoyable book lifted the veil on a really improbable revolution. Cuba libre!" Read more

"...Riveting storytelling. Fascinating characters. Unfathomable conclusion. It will change the way you view the revolution." Read more

12 customers mention "Readability"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, well-written, and interesting. They mention it reads like fiction but is informative and interesting and that it's well-done.

"...It was as the author intended, very readable and interesting...." Read more

"...However, this thoroughly readable & enjoyable book lifted the veil on a really improbable revolution. Cuba libre!" Read more

"...with all its successes and failures, you’ll enjoy this very well written history that focuses on the personalities and the relationships of Che..." Read more

"...This book is highly readable, offering many details that I either had forgotten or didn't know about the Cuban Revolution." Read more

A magnificent read!
5 out of 5 stars
A magnificent read!
I recently took my first trip to Cuba and picked up this book to bring along with me. I was a little paranoid, so I switched the dust jacket with another book as to not draw attention in Customs. It was the best companion I could have had. It was amazing to read this book at night and experience the locations during the day. Not that much has changed. I devoured this book and wanted more. Insightful, carefully researched, and loaded with adventure, humor, and historical/social significance. A magnificent read!
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Top reviews from the United States

S. Crawford
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
Even though I've read every biography and watched every documentary about Cuba that I could find in the past few years, I still learned quite a bit with this one. It was as the author intended, very readable and interesting. I also enjoyed the fact that it was just the facts without heavy bias tainting the pages like so many other books about Cuba.

I would highly recommend to anyone. And for those with only a passing interest in the island, I would suggest starting with this book. It's interesting and many suggestions for further reading are given at the end.
9 people found this helpful
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Michael Baxley
5.0 out of 5 stars An Improbable Long-shot, and Disappointing Outcome from Such a Noble Beginning
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2019
Verified Purchase
The Revolution lasted only 2 years, and though of noble intent. was plagued from the start, but successful nevertheless in capturing the attention of the world and the U.S. in its cause. From revolutionary thrill seekers to celebrities to the media, it moved a country and a cause. Yet in the wake of its victory came the unveiling or maybe disintegration into the same oppression, fear and loss of freedoms that is “cause celebre” sought to eradicate. Full of details and insight, the book is a fascinating view of both the spirit of humans to follow their convictions and their failings in the spoils of those victories.
5 people found this helpful
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rhkennerly
4.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening read.
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2020
Verified Purchase
I read CL on recommendation of Clay Jenkinson & the Thomas Jefferson Hour podcast. Clay had just returned from a cultural tour of Cuba. So much of Cuban history is shrouded by the US’s hatred of communism. However, this thoroughly readable & enjoyable book lifted the veil on a really improbable revolution. Cuba libre!
3 people found this helpful
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Bill B
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy read very enjoyable, not dry history
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
If you are intrigued by the Cuban phenomenon, with all its successes and failures, you’ll enjoy this very well written history that focuses on the personalities and the relationships of Che Fidel Raul and the women who really organized this thing
One person found this helpful
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Al Olson
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
If you want to read the ultimate David vs. Goliath epic, this book is for you. Riveting storytelling. Fascinating characters. Unfathomable conclusion. It will change the way you view the revolution.
One person found this helpful
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J. Lancaster
5.0 out of 5 stars great read
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2019
Verified Purchase
I studied Latin American history in college and had a particular interest in Cuba. This book is highly readable, offering many details that I either had forgotten or didn't know about the Cuban Revolution.
6 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book was really well done! It reads like a fiction but is so informative and interesting. You can tell the author did his research.
One person found this helpful
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Roxanne
5.0 out of 5 stars A different kind of Cuban history book
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2019
Verified Purchase
Good read if you'd like to know more details of the revolution in a moment-by-moment on-the-ground kind of way. Amusing and informative.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Gerson Azevedo
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Account of Latin American History
Reviewed in Brazil on February 28, 2021
Verified Purchase
The Granma changed Latin American history. Fidel and Che are still cultural icons in Brazil's left 60 years after the Cuban Revolution.

The author gives us a detailed account with a novel's pace about how did a clumsy and poorly planned insurgence managed to overcome an US-backed and 100x times larger army. It is a tale that reminds us of the power of ideals, creativity and persistence over a goal.

On a more subtler note, it also stands on the position that it was not really a socialist revolution, but a revolution that ended up on socialism due to many decisions made by both the M-26-7 and the US government.

Good read.
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Jonni
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
A well written and fascinating book. Very informative and entertaining on a subject that I previously thought I had some understanding of. Turned out that I didn't know the half of it.
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M Clark
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully readable history of Fidel Castro and the Cuban revolution
Reviewed in Germany on March 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
This is a wonderfully readable history of Fidel Castro and the Cuban revolution.
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