Boxing For Cuba: An Immigrant's Story of Despair, Endurance, & Redemption

by Guillermo Vincente Vidal

Cultural Writing. Biography and Memoir. Latino/Latina Studies. The whims of politics are at the fore of Guillermo Vincente Vidal's memoir, in which young boys become men in the shadow of revolution and personal turmoil. Vidal writes about his family's participation in events that forever altered U.S.-Cuban relations after an effort to free children from the threat of Communist rule sparked Operation Peter Pan. From chance encounters with Fidel Castro and Robert F. Kennedy to life in a dismal Catholic orphanage in Colorado, Vidal perseveres to embrace life as a proud and successful Cuban American. His account is a poignant story of struggle, forgiveness, and the joy of returning home. John Hickenlooper, the Mayor of Denver, writes: "This is the best book I have read in ages. Guillermo Vidal's is a remarkable life. I was heartbroken at the finish, not from the story, but because I had no more to read. A lyrical and magical book." and Senator Ken Salazar says, "This is an inspiring story about Guillermo Vidal and the heart wrenching challenges of a son of Cuba displaced from his homeland and family. Even though the emotional toll on his family is immense, Vidal realizes that the sacrifice that his parents endured to give their sons a better life proved to be the ultimate act of love. Vidal is an American success story through his exemplary leadership and service."

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2007

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author called into our book club to discuss the book, so it was great to get some more information and hear what has happened since the book.

[Bambi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd recommend this book to anyone who has visited Cuba, or is thinking of visiting Cuba. It's a fascinating story about life on the island before Fidel Castro started ruling and how it's changed in the years since. The descriptions of present-day Havana and of rural Cuba are so accurate, it'll take you back and allow you to revisit your own impressions of Cuba.

Additionally, this is an amazing story about life as a refugee in the United States and the tenuous bonds between family members.

No hay mal que por bien no venga (Out of the worst of it all, good things come)

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: because I know the author, I can't come to this book with an unbiased perspective. That said, I really enjoyed it, and based on prior experience reading books written by acquaintances and friends, I have to say that that isn't totally based on the fact that I know the author. Sometimes that just makes a book all the harder to read!

Bill has obviously brought a great deal of soul-searching and introspection to the writing of this book, and it shows. The book deals largely with Bill's experience being wrenched from his Cuban homeland after Castro's revolution and being sent to America as part of Operation Peter Pan, where his parents thought relatives who had already fled the island would assume responsibility for Bill and his two brothers. Instead of living with relatives in Florida, the U.S. government shipped them to an orphanage in Colorado, where they were eventually reunited with their parents several years later.

Some might find that a difficult enough situation to overcome, but Bill's family was not a happy and stable one to begin with, so the reunion proved difficult. He goes on to explain the assimilation process in great detail, and the effect that all this upheaval and emotional turmoil has had on his life to the present day.

In person, Bill is a charismatic guy and wonderful storyteller, and these characterstics translate well to the page. I gave it four stars only because there are definitely signs that the book could have benefitted from fimer editing to push it over the top. I'd recommend it for any reader who enjoys memoir or history, particularly if you're interested in Castro's lasting effects on Cuba (Bill did finally return to Cuba for a visit several years ago).

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this little gem on our lunchroom book cart a few months back. Sometimes, reading about historical events can be dry for me, so I really love personal history accounts. The autobiography narrative-tone really helps me hold on to the story and inspires me to read more about the event in more dry contexts. Today, the Cuban embassy opened up again here in Washington and I am definitely feeling moved to re-read my copy of "Boxing for Cuba". The story is well-written; there is family drama, humor, sorrow, terror, and everything else in between. Definitely worth your reading time.
As for our nations moving tenuously forward together, I think Vidal says it best in this older, relevant NY Times article (2014): "...Under current policy [it] is the common people who are suffering. I went back to Cuba and I saw two things. The embargo was cruel to people who are not responsible for the government in place. And, two, the minute you start getting Americans to travel to Cuba with their ideas and entrepreneurs with their business savvy, when you open the doors, it will spark people to do the things we have been doing for centuries and that will overrun the government.”

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many Cuban children were sent to Seattle as a result of Operation Peter Pan. Later when their parents arrived in the United States, I came to know many of these families. The majority of my Cuban friends never wanted to return to Cuba, so it was interesting to read Mr. Vidal's account of returning to his homeland. A few years ago my husband I went to this wonderful country......and had the opportunity to relish the beauty of what was a glorious country hit hard by the plight of communism. Some day, when all is said and done and the current regime steps down.....I hope this exotic, intoxicating country and it people will have the opportunity to flourish as they have before.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I published and edited this book so I guess I have read it quite a few times. This book is a finalist for the Colorado Book Award this year. Written by Denver's deputy mayor it is a moving read about three-brother's journey from Cuba to the United States. Touching on family, culture, politics, race, and what it is like to find and live the American Dream, Boxing for Cuba will leave you wanting to read it again.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is truly amazing that this is the author's first book! He has written an autobiographical book about his experiences as a child in Cuba, the victory of Castro, his separation from his parents and his homeland when he and his 2 brothers are sent to an orphanage in Colorado, reuniting with his parents, and finally returning to Castro's Cuba for a visit. The flavor of Cuba permeates the entire book. He is a wonderful writer!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The memoir of the current deputy mayor of Denver. It is the story of his immigration on Pedro Pan from Cuba to Pueblo. It is the amazing story of resiliency, well-told. The reader feels the pulse of Cuba and the growing up pains in an orphanage. The story is richly told and I love that he is just my age, our lives were quite different in those years, to say the least.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this autobiography of Denver's Deputy Mayor, Bill Vidal. Castro's rise to power in the early 60's, Vidal's parents' decision to leave Cuba which split up the family for a few years, how they each faced the challenges of immigration and prejudice, not to mention their own personal struggles, all very interesting.

[Noreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recocmmended by Kay from the train.
Excellent immigrant story. Has interesting points to make on several topics. This was a page turner I couldn't put down.
1. Male pride in accepting help.
2. How crazy mothers become crazy. It's not their kids fault.
3. Maybe fathers should not assume females are better parents.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very interesting story of immigration and family dysfunction. It's interesting to read a memoir by someone I know, and whose story I have heard partially. I think Guille's descriptions of racism and trying to live the American dream are very powerful.

[Marsha Crest]

Author is local public figure who emigrated from Cuba during the '60's after Castro came into power. I was interested because I went to high school with some Cuban refugees and this book give a real basic background about what was going on at that time.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't love it like so many people have. Hearing the author speak in a few weeks. Maybe that will shed some light on it.