Fidel Castro's Political Strategy from Moncada to Victory

by Marta Harnecker

Traces the political course along which Fidel Castro organized a revolutionary movement that culminated in the 1959 victory of workers and farmers over the U.S.-backed Batista dictatorship. Contains the full text of "History Will Absolve Me," Castro's reconstruction of his 1953 courtroom speech explaining the political and social goals of the revolution.

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Marta Harnecker (b. 1937) was a Chilean sociologist, political scientist, journalist and activist.

Reviews

[Hamuel Sunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book while looking for another of Harnecker's, Rebuilding the Left, at the VPL.

It's in two parts. The first half is introduced as an analytic summary of the steps Castro took to overthrowing the Batista regime. The summary is clear and, for someone who knew as little as I, edifying. The analysis is perfunctory and thus unsatisfying. The latter half of the book is Castro's defense-turned-rallying cry, "History Will Absolve Me." It's captivating and at many points possessed of a real literary beauty.

[Ramonita · Rating 3 out of 5]

The one thing that totally amazed me about this book was the letter in the end of the book that Fidel wrote with lemon, which could only be read by putting a flame to it.

It saddens me the Fidel Castro did a great thing by over throwing Batista to free his country, and then does the same things if not worse for over 40 years. He could have been a very respected leader.

[Rudi Hartono]

Menurut Fidel Castro, persatuan di kalangan kiri itu memang penting, tetapi kalaupun itu tidak terjadi, bukan berarti harus meninggalkan membangun persatuan luas.