Overview

"Fidel Castro is one of the most interesting and controversial personalities of our time - he has become a myth and an icon. He was the first Cuban Caudillo - the man who freed his country from dependence on the USA and who lead his people to rediscover their national identity and pride. Castro has outlived generations of American presidents and Soviet leaders. He has survived countless assassination attempts by the CIA, the Mafia, and Cubans living in exile. He has become one of the greatest politicians of the 20th Century. His biography, and the history of his country exemplify the tensions between East and West, North and South, rich and poor. In this up-to-date reconstruction of Castro's life story, Volker Skierka provides an account of the economic, social and political history of Cuba since Castro's childhood. It draws on a number of little known sources, including material from archives of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) which were until recently inaccessible. The author succeeds in creating an exciting, painstakingly researched account of the contradictions in the life and work of Castro. Skierka does not indulge in revolutionary romanticism, avoiding the usual cliches about Cuba's devotion to the Soviet Union. As Castro's life draws to a close, the question as to what will become of Cuba is more important that ever. Will Castro open Cuba to economic reform and democratization, or stick to his old slogan ""socialism or death""?"

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9780745630069

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A comprehensive and highly readable biography written in a remarkably even-handed tone. The Guardian Volker Skierka has written the book that those wanting to understand the present-day politics of Cuba and its ruler have been awaiting for a long time. He has done so with a freshness, simplicity and elegance that makes it a pleasure to read ... accessible and fascinating to the casual reader and the specialist alike. BBC History Magazine Afascinatingly good read and a treasure trove of information. Morning Star Volker Skierkas study of Castro stands out for its admirable clarity and accessibility. Synthesizing a wealth of literature, and casting a cool eye on the official pieties of both Havana and Washington, Skierka has drawn a critical but far from unsympathetic portrait of this extraordinary figure of the Cold War world whose personal tenacity ensured that Cuban Communism survived with him into the new millennium. James Dunkerley, Queen Mary University

A comprehensive and highly readable biography written in a remarkably even--handed tone. The Guardian Volker Skierka has written the book that those wanting to understand the present--day politics of Cuba and its ruler have been awaiting for a long time. He has done so with a freshness, simplicity and elegance that makes it a pleasure to read ... accessible and fascinating to the casual reader and the specialist alike. BBC History Magazine An exceptional, evenhanded portrait of an undeniably strong leadera s strengths and weaknesses. Midwest Book Review A fascinatingly good read and a treasure trove of information. Morning Star Volker Skierkaa s study of Castro stands out for its admirable clarity and accessibility. Synthesizing a wealth of literature, and casting a cool eye on the official pieties of both Havana and Washington, Skierka has drawn a critical but far from unsympathetic portrait of this extraordinary figure of the Cold War world whose personal tenacity ensured that Cuban Communism survived with him into the new millennium. James Dunkerley, Queen Mary University

Author Information

Volker Skierka is a journalist and author based in Germany.

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