Cuba: A History

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

'An astonishing feat . . . the author does more to explain the phenomenon of Fidel's rise to power than anybody else has done so far' SPECTATOR Hugh Thomas's acclaimed book explores the whole sweep of Cuban history from the British capture of Havana in 1762 through the years of Spanish and United States domination, down to the twentieth century and the extraordinary revolution of Fidel Castro. Throughout this period of over two hundred yeras, Thomas covers subjects ranging from sugar, tobacco and education to slavery, war and occupation. Cuba is the essential work for understanding one of the most fascinating and controversial countries in the world. 'Immensely readable. Thomas's notion of history's scope is generous, for he has not limited himself to telling old political and military events; he describes Cuban culture at all stages . . . not merely accessible but absorbing. His language is witty but never mocking, crisp but never harsh' NEW YORKER 'Thomas seems to have talked to everybody not dead or in jail, and read everything. He is scrupulously fair' TIME

Author Bio

Date- 2003-12-08 Hugh Thomas studied History at Cambridge and Paris. His career encompassed both America and Europe, and history and politics, as a professor at New York and Boston Universities and as Chairman of the Centre for Policy Studies in London. He was awarded a peerage in 1981. Hugh Thomas is the author of, among other books, The Spanish Civil War, which won him the Somerset Maugham Prize; Cuba- The Pursuit of Freedom; An Unfinished History of the World, which won the National Book Award for History; Armed Truce- The Beginnings of the Cold War; The Conquest of Mexico; The Slave Trade; and Rivers of Gold- The Rise of the Spanish Empire. In 2008 Hugh Thomas was made a Commandeur de L'Ordre des Arts et Lettres in France and in 2009 received the Calvo Serer Prize, The Boccacio Prize, and Nonino Prize in Italy. He is the author of, among other books, The Spanish Civil War, which won the Somerset Maugham Award, The Suez Affair, Cuba- The Pursuit of Freedom, An Unfinished History of the World, Conquest- Montezuma, Corts and the Fall of Old Mexico, The Slave Trade and the first volume of his Spanish Empire trilogy, Rivers of Gold, which was reissued to coincide with publication of the second volume.