Overview

""A haunting coming of age story that reads like a Dickensian novel, though . . . all true.""-Helen Thorpe, journalist Never before released in Spanish, Boxeando por Cuba memorializes Guillermo Vicente Vidal's emigration to America at the behest of his parents, fearful of Fidel Castro's regime. This is his story of overcoming incredible odds.

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9781555919160

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I really enjoyed it. &#8212President Bill Clinton The book is lovely, beautifully written and so evocative of a time and place. &#8212Anna Quindlen Growing up in a wealthy, privileged family in Havana in the 1950s, Guillermo seemed to lead an idyllic life, but, in fact, he and his brothers lay awake for hours as their parents raged at each other long into the night. Then Castro came to power, and, in 1961, Guillermo's parents sent the boys to the U.S. with more than 14,000 other Cuban children on Operation Peter Pan. When relatives in Miami failed to meet the Vidal brothers, they found themselves in an orphanage in Denver, where they suffered brutal abuse. After many years, their parents joined them; Vidal grew up to be mayor of Denver, and today he is a Hispanic business leader. Cuban Americans will certainly take pride in the successful immigrant story here, but the candor of the personal drama at home gives the book added depth and resonance. Paralleling the broader context of political uproar in Cuba and the missile crisis are the raging battles between the parents, from which there wasno escape. -- Booklist

I really enjoyed it. &#8212President Bill Clinton<br><br> The book is lovely, beautifully written and so evocative of a time and place. &#8212Anna Quindlen <br><br> Growing up in a wealthy, privileged family in Havana in the 1950s, Guillermo seemed to lead an idyllic life, but, in fact, he and his brothers lay awake for hours as their parents raged at each other long into the night. Then Castro came to power, and, in 1961, Guillermo's parents sent the boys to the U.S. with more than 14,000 other Cuban children on Operation Peter Pan. When relatives in Miami failed to meet the Vidal brothers, they found themselves in an orphanage in Denver, where they suffered brutal abuse. After many years, their parents joined them; Vidal grew up to be mayor of Denver, and today he is a Hispanic business leader. Cuban Americans will certainly take pride in the successful immigrant story here, but the candor of the personal drama at home gives the book added depth and resonance. Paralleling the broader context of political uproar in Cuba and the missile crisis are the raging battles between the parents, from which there wasno escape. -- Booklist <br>

"""I really enjoyed it."" --President Bill Clinton ""The book is lovely, beautifully written and so evocative of a time and place."" --Anna Quindlen ""Growing up in a wealthy, privileged family in Havana in the 1950s, Guillermo seemed to lead an idyllic life, but, in fact, he and his brothers lay awake for hours as their parents raged at each other long into the night. Then Castro came to power, and, in 1961, Guillermo's parents sent the boys to the U.S. with more than 14,000 other Cuban children on Operation Peter Pan. When relatives in Miami failed to meet the Vidal brothers, they found themselves in an orphanage in Denver, where they suffered brutal abuse. After many years, their parents joined them; Vidal grew up to be mayor of Denver, and today he is a Hispanic business leader. Cuban Americans will certainly take pride in the successful immigrant story here, but the candor of the personal drama at home gives the book added depth and resonance. Paralleling the broader context of political uproar in Cuba and the missile crisis are the raging battles between the parents, from which there wasno escape."" --Booklist ""Una historia que inspira."" --Ken Salazar, Secretario del Interior de Estados Unidos ""Un libro lirico y magico."" --John Hickenlooper, gobernador de Colorado ""Una historia inquietante sobre la transicion a la adultez, que recuerda una novela 'dickensiana', aunque...totalmente veridica."" --Helen Thorpe, periodista"

Author Information

Nativo de Camaguey, Cuba, Guillermo Vicente Vidal fue criado en Colorado. Despues de graduarse de la Universidad de Colorado, obtuvo varios puestos gubernamentales y sirvio como Vice-Alcalde de Denver y Director de Funciones Publicas antes de convertirse en Alcalde de Denver. Hoy, Vidal es Presidente y Director Ejecutivo de la Camara de Comercio Hispana de Metro Denver, y reside en Denver con su familia. Guillermo Vicente Vidal is a native of Cuba, and grew up in Colorado. After graduating from the University of Colorado, he held various government positions, including Mayor of Denver. Vidal is president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Denver, and he lives with his family in Denver. For more information, please visit the author's website: www.boxingforcuba@wordpress.org.

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