Operation Pedro Pan: The Untold Exodus of 14,048 Cuban Children

by Yvonne Conde

First published in 2000. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Genres: Nonfiction

248 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

Reviews

[Belen (f.k.a. La Mala ✌)]

No sé desde que punto de vista estará escrito este libro (aunque las palabras "dictadura" y "éxodo" me hacen sospechar) pero acabo de ver el documental Operación Peter Pan de Estela Bravo y no he parado de llorar.

Esta parte de la historia, debe ser de las atrocidades más siniestras cometidas por los yanquis. Todo lo que temían esos pobres padres que iba a hacer la revolución cubana, fue al final lo que precisamente les hicieron los estadounidenses a ellos.

Que historia tan triste.

Les recomiendo el documental, que está acá. Pero les advierto que es para llorar.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A shocking story about parents in Cuba sending their children alone to the US in hopes of reuniting with them in the US, or sending for them after Fidel Castro loses power, and we all know how well that went. The author, who is a Pedro Pan child, becomes aware of it by reading about it in an article by Joan Didion. She does a good job telling the stories of individuals, some who were very fortunate and some who were very unfortunate, but all agreed that they were affected by the separation from their parents, calling it a loss of innocence. Some went to relatives, some into foster homes, some in Catholic group homes, and some in government operated group facilities. There were 14,048 children and the author locates about 1,000 of them and 442 return her survey. She also interviews many of the now adults. The book was written in 1995, and the exodus of children, mostly by plane, occurred in 1960-62. This exodus is not to be confused with the later boat lifts or refugees on small boats, although there are some powerful stories there, too. She begins her book with the history of Fidel Castro and his journey to power and communism, which did not reveal itself until he was already in power. For Cuba which was overwhelmingly Catholic, it was devastating. He planned to send children to Russia to learn their culture, politics and ways. Parents were frantic about what to do. And unknown to me, these parents were aware of the Spanish civil war in the 1930s where children were sent by their parents abroad for safety, plus WWII where British families sent their children to America for safety. It was a very cruel world in the 1930, 40, 60, and of course, today, we watch the Syrian refugees now, whose stories we will read in 20 years. I was compelled to read this book after meeting a Pedro Pan, called Peter Pan when they arrived in the US, who was one of the fortunate ones who was claimed by an Uncle in Miami. He initially was separated from his sister, though, which had to be traumatic. Luckily, he is a terrific family man with a prosperous business. The author does a great job displaying the data she collected.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gold standard for information and narratives of Pedro Pan participants. Yvonne Conde has done a tremendous job researching and compiling a compelling body of work. As a 2nd generation Cuban American and a child of a Pedro Pan participant, I found myself getting incredibly emotional as she described what happened in Cuba in 1960-1961. And, had to physically put the book several times to get through stories of separation and orphanages like the one my father was placed in. Thank you for writing this!

[Lourdes Meneses · Rating 4 out of 5]

Describe los eventos que dieron lugar a la Operación Pedro Pan y cómo impactó a todos aquellos que afectó. Bien documentado y con un alto grado de objetividad.
Muy recomendable para aquellos que quieran ahondar en el "holocausto" cubano.

[Robin Fichtelberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading The Red Umbrella, I wanted to learn more about the Cuban children who came to the US in the early 1960s. The Red Umbrella told a much happier story than what was described in this book. Some horrible things happened to some of these kids. Nonfiction, not the best written, but interesting for a historical perspective. Gave more background on Cuba, the rise of Castro, and the early part of his rule.

[Ashton Morlote · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not the best in terms of presenting the material/writing.

However, my dad is Cuban. I am half Cuban half Dominican. I was born in America but have grown up hearing about these other countries (and visiting DR; never Cuba) I love America but always want to find out more about the countries that are in my blood.

This book brought up a lot of questions in myself and brought to light a lot of things I want go after.

Thanks.