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  • Cuba Libre!

  • Che, Fidel, and the Improbable Revolution That Changed World History
  • Written by: Tony Perrottet
  • Narrated by: Robertson Dean
  • Length: 12 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (7 ratings)

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Cuba Libre!

Written by: Tony Perrottet
Narrated by: Robertson Dean
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Publisher's Summary

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 20th 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 lethal 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.

©2019 Tony Perrottet (P)2019 Penguin Audio
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What the critics say

“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 who acted as spies, couriers, logistical experts, and ultimately as the bravest, fiercest, and most indispensable combatants.” (Booklist)

"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)

What listeners say about Cuba Libre!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating details of the Cuban Revolution

Interesting story and fascinating to listen to looking back in history.
Good narration though at times, easy to zone out and realize I’m not listening. The soothing baritone voice can be mesmerizing!

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informative captivating

narration was great with a good choice, spot on with history and the story of Cuban liberation.

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