The History of Cuba in 50 Events

by Henry Freeman

☆ Cuban History in 50 Events ☆ Cuba is a nation with a long, rich history. The study of Cuban history is also the study of the development of the New World by Europe, and the first steps taken by New World countries to establish independent governments. Cuba played a significant role in the growth of the New World, and throughout its history has been a part of major world events that have taken place around it. This book is designed to familiarize readers with a broad overview of Cuban history and the context that made that development possible. Inside you will read about... ✓ First Settlement of Cuba ✓ Ten Years War Begins ✓ Cuba Gains Independence ✓ Cuba Enters World War I ✓ Creation of the Cuban Socialist Party ✓ Castro and Che Begin Invasion of Cuba ✓ Cuban Missile Crisis ✓ Former President Jimmy Carter Visits Cuba ✓ Diplomatic Relations with US Re-opened And much more! Broken down into fifty easy-to-read chapters that will allow readers to gain insight into Cuban history without being overwhelmed by its depth, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a better understanding of North America and its development.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Ebooks, Politics, Historical

62 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 27, 2016

About the author

Henry Freeman is an author and archaeologist. He has a passion for history and loves to travel the world exploring various historical sites.

Henry graduated from the University of Cambridge with a double major in History and Archaeology and shortly after that started his career as an archaeologist.

After traveling the world getting first-hand experience with history, Henry was determined to take up his dream of becoming a best-selling author.

He decided to partner up with the newly formed publishing company Hourly History writing short, concise and straightforward history books that never takes more than one hour to read.

Reviews

[Miltiadis Michalopoulos · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an easy to read but very biased account of the most important events in Cuban History. I have commented on the books a few examples of the author's anticommunist bias. Due to this, Mr. Freeman omitted crucial historical events, like the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale (1987–1988), which was a turning point in the war in Angola and one of the largest battles in Africa since World War II. Cuba's intervention in Angola was one of its most significant international military engagements, reflecting its commitment to international socialism and its willingness to confront apartheid and imperialism. The intervention solidified Fidel Castro's standing as a leader in the global south, particularly in Africa, where Cuba supported other independence movements. Of course, the author doesn't mention anything of the above, remarking only that the war did not gain Cuba any favor, as it failed to impress the other countries ! For those who know these events this is not true.

[Nev March · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick overview with broad strokes that summarizes the events in Cuba's long history. Billed as "read in under an hour" and yes it did indeed fit the bill. Don't look for details on any specific time period, but good for a neat little overview.

[Vincent]

This is an interesting book - short and concise - seems to cover 50 important events - it was useful as a supplemental reference as I read a history of the Bacardi family. It was a good tool. I recently visited Cuba and the government trained guide that we had to use had drunk the government Kool-Aid (for those who know the expression) an he could only say (and believe?) the party line.
Mr. Freeman, who I sort of checked out, writes books like this with 50 Events for several places or people or events and I will try to get to read the one on American History where I will have a better point of view to judge from.
If you are interested in a better understanding of Cuba this book is worth the time to read.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying that the first time I was aware of Cuba was after the April 16, 1961, launch of the disastrous Bay of Pigs Invasion; I was the ripe old age of ten, and just becoming aware of the world around me. I, like all of my contemporaries, experienced the turmoil during the Cuban Missile Crisis of the early 60’s. I still have tender knees from the “duck and cover” exercises we were forced to perform at school. I also remember that written clearly in my passport was a ban on travel to that tropical paradise a few miles south of the Florida Keys.
This brief history covers a long period of time and introduces the reader to the Arawak people that inhabited the island centuries before Columbus discovered it on his maiden voyage. I was appalled to read of the presumptuous papal attitude toward all of the indigenous people by introducing the encomienda system. Cuba and especially Havana, the largest and most important port in the Americas was the kingpin to trade. The import of slaves from Africa in 1526 began in Cuba and soon spread to other parts of North, Middle, and South America.
This is a very enlightening book that gives the reader a new perspective on a very special island and the people that live there. Cuba, although the largest island in the Caribbean Sea, owes its prominence in history more to its location than to its size. After more than a half-century under the yoke of a Communistic dictatorship is now on the verge of breaking free and resuming a pivotal role in the Americas. Now, that it is no longer listed as a no-no in my passport, I am seriously considering paying it a visit.

[Mark Laufenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was too young to remember when Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba and to remember some of the controversial events that occurred during his early tenure. I vaguely remembered hearing about them, but that was all. It was interesting to get filled in on the details.

After the early history of Cuba covered in the book, it seemed that it very rapidly approached and quickly covered the more recent events from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Upon thinking about it, you realize that, as the book states, under Castro's reign very little changed or progressed over the 49 years of his control.

I found the book interesting as far as covering the history of a neighboring country so close to us and yet so estranged.

[Frances Torres · Rating 3 out of 5]

◾For many Cubans the idea of communism seemed to present the only path to separation from the United States.
◾From 2002, the United States has used Guantanamo Bay (Gitmo) as a base for interrogating terrorists or those suspected of terrorism.
◾From 1959 through 2008, Fidel Castro ruled Cuba with undisputed authority. But even powerful men age; in 2008 Castro was 83 years old. By that time, he had suffered several major medical problems, including two heart attacks.
◾Actualmente (JULIO 2021) muchos cubanos han salido a las calles a protestar pq quieren su libertad, nuestros hermanos necesitan y merecen ser libres. En la unión está la fuerza, ojalá lo logren!
◾NO ES JUSTO TANTO SUFRIMIENTO, TANTO DOLOR Y NECESIDAD.

[Daniel Staats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for those nor familiar with Cuban history

This is a very short overview of the 50 events that Freeman feels defines Cuban history. The author fives enough for the average reader to want more. Many do not know the role Cuba played on the world's stage in events such as World War II or even the American Revolution. I recommend this quick read that will take you around an hour.

[Ed Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Perspective

Lying 90 miles off the southern tip of Florida, the history of Cuba and the United States are often intertwined. Going back thousands of years and focusing on the Colonial period to the present day, the book hits on a number of events that shape Cuba today. A good read.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Book

Yet another great book by Henry Freeman! I knew Cuba had a bit of a checkered past but, there was a lot in this book that they don't teach you in school. I love learning about the history of nations in a quick, interesting, and easy to read book.

I would recommend this book for anyone who likes to learn about history.

[Avilio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well presented

Well organized way to present the history of Cuba, which will help understand its culture. Must read for anyone who has ties with Cuban people in USA or anywhere in the world, great and easy read as well!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not really knowing a lot about Cuba's history, I found this book interesting ... makes you wonder why maybe our education is really laxing in a lot of things. It would have helped had there been pictures of the people and a map of Cuba than and now!

[Gian Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and quick read that summarizes in a few pages the most important events in the history of Cuba. Engaging and informative book, especially considering the importance the Cuban nation has had (and still does) in international politics. Highly recommended.

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preparing for a trip to Cuba, thought I'd read something about it. Good enough to follow up why it is what it is.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely recommend it. The book is precise and summarized in a very convenient way. The book is a very good introduction to anyone who’s interested in learning about the history of Cuba.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good, short introduction to the history, it gives a basic outline and makes for a quick understanding and timeline in any case, but especially if one is considering visiting Cuba.

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle copy -- great short read about the history of this county. Well done---

[Missypood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series of books. Great for preparing for travel to a country, for quick background before reading a novel set in that country, and for an overview of history to grasp current events.

[Antonio Erviti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuba 101

This is a pretty basic introduction to Cuban history. It's more of a survey of Cuban history. I recommend supplementing this text with more detailed accounts.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book.

I learned so many things with this book. It is the perfect balance of content. Right amount of volume. Must read

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information on this country

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuban history

For a small island country, this place is a hotbed of activity. Somehow, they were major players in majors events that they really weren't involved in. It's crazy.

[William Wright · Rating 2 out of 5]

Needs a proofreader.

[Keith Leggott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good read

A good concise overview of Cuban history. Worth a for for anyone interested in Cuba, it's early and Castro years.

[Thomas Alkaersig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great history lesson

This book is wonderful, compact, yet full of information. Obviously you can't go into great detail with such a shirt book, but this really does cover all major aspects of Cuban history without being too superficial.

[Rafael · Rating 4 out of 5]

All countries of the world have a huge own history, and it’s not easy to tell all of this in just 50 events, but Freeman did it very well. Each event is written in few paragraphes, wich makes it a very fluid reading, althoug it’s also very informative.
I really liked to get to know Cuba and I felt like it was very neutral, which is a good point for me because being written by an american (I’m pretty sure that Freeman is an american) I expected this book to be pretty agressive against Cuba and its communist regime, showing all of the leaders as monster (wich I’m not saying they aren’t, but impartiality is important in this kind of book).
With that said, there is one thing that bothered me a litte: the book starts in 3100 BCE and then jumps to 1492 in the next events. I don’t know if there’s not any informantion about these almost 4600 years, but if there is, I really missed more about the history of the native people, before Columbus. I know it’s really hard to find out about the history of countries BCE, but that feels just really importante to me and, as I said, I missed it.
Despite that, I liked this pretty much, and it was a really good reading.

(I'm not a native English speaker, but I read this book in english and so I wanted to write the review in this language, even though I'm still working on it)

[Phil Princey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read, and gets to the point. Gives great insight to Cuba's history, and the issues with America, Spain and Russia etc. Clear, precise and no bog along the way. A good start for those who want a short over view or an introduction to further reading and study. But for me, I got all I wanted in this read.

[Benjamin Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

This was a Very Good Book about Cuba. I enjoyed it immensely. Definitely would recommend to anyone who loves History!

[Yazir Paredes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some holes and inconsistencies but overall good recount. Some more information on pre-Columbian times, Spanish and independence are needed. But the Cold War is covered.