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The Last Raft
This is an amazing book... the issues are thoroughly explained by characters who seem to live and breathe on every page."--Lisa Black, New York Times bestselling author of EVERY KIND OF WICKED
Five desperate people flee Cuba aboard a homemade raft following an exodus of a hundred thousand countrymen. Oblivious to escalating geopolitical hostilities; American senators who want to preserve the decades-old embargo and oppose the President's desire to embrace change; and the civil unrest brewing ahead, the rafters risk their lives to change their lives.
Juan initiates the journey, selling lies to convince the others to join him on the raft. Senator Spinelli manipulates the emotions of Cuban American dreamers for self-enrichment and power. With his strategy-savvy Chief of Staff Terri Turner, President Winslow risks the pinnacle of success to change the future. Fidel Castro is a double-dealing despot who will burn the house down around himself in revenge for the exodus. Their collective desperation is woven into a complicated yet beautiful imbroglio of faith, dreams, and desire that in the end will unite or destroy them all.
Five desperate people flee Cuba aboard a homemade raft following an exodus of a hundred thousand countrymen. Oblivious to escalating geopolitical hostilities; American senators who want to preserve the decades-old embargo and oppose the President's desire to embrace change; and the civil unrest brewing ahead, the rafters risk their lives to change their lives.
Juan initiates the journey, selling lies to convince the others to join him on the raft. Senator Spinelli manipulates the emotions of Cuban American dreamers for self-enrichment and power. With his strategy-savvy Chief of Staff Terri Turner, President Winslow risks the pinnacle of success to change the future. Fidel Castro is a double-dealing despot who will burn the house down around himself in revenge for the exodus. Their collective desperation is woven into a complicated yet beautiful imbroglio of faith, dreams, and desire that in the end will unite or destroy them all.
264 pages, Paperback
Published August 31, 2020
136 people are currently reading
1098 people want to read
About the author
John H. Cunningham
23 books258 followersJohn H. Cunningham, outdoorsman, world traveler, and aviation enthusiast, is a commercial real estate professional and former editor. He splits his time between Virginia, New York and Key West with his wife and two daughters. His books include RED RIGHT RETURN, GREEN TO GO, CRYSTAL BLUE, SECOND CHANCE GOLD, MAROON RISING, FREE FALL TO BLACK, SILVER GOODBYE, WHITE KNIGHT, and THE LAST RAFT.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 12, 2020
Cunningham in The Last Raft wrote the desperation and dreams of the Cuban people, the ruthless and cruelty of Castro, and the hostility and pride of the American leaders in this political hotbed, in his latest intriguing historical fiction novel.
Well written and well researched, Cunningham wrote from the heart building complex characters with authenticity and depth.
I highly recommend this historical fiction novel that I devoured in one sitting! Well done!
Well written and well researched, Cunningham wrote from the heart building complex characters with authenticity and depth.
I highly recommend this historical fiction novel that I devoured in one sitting! Well done!
October 1, 2020
John Cunningham looked at the way things were, and offered up what could have been. Cuba has been a political hot potato for so many successive administrations. John brings to life the desperation of the Cuban people, boarding rafts, many of which aren't seaworthy enough for a swimming pool, much less for ninety miles of some of the roughest water in the Americas.
Extremely well written! Congratulations on a fantastic read!
Extremely well written! Congratulations on a fantastic read!
October 21, 2020
Going into this book, I wasn’t quite sure what it was about. I thought it was a survival story about a group of people risking their lives to flee Cuba by a homemade raft. I also knew there’d be some political chapters interspersed.
It turned out to be more about an alternate historical fiction of Fidel Castro and a fictional American President and what could have happened to the Cuban people.
Interspersed with the political intrigue was the story of 5 Cuban people trying to escape their homeland and the Cuban Revolution to the safety of Florida and the U.S. where they could be free. Each of the 5 were from completely different walks of life and their story of crossing the ocean was heartbreaking at times.
By the middle of this story, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I was completely taken with both storylines and when the reason for the title of this book became apparent, I got major chills.
I was one of the those who didn’t know much about Cuba and the embargo. This book opened my eyes to this fascinating history and I have to say, I really enjoyed it.
*Thank you so much to John H Cunningham and GetRedPR for a copy of this book.*
It turned out to be more about an alternate historical fiction of Fidel Castro and a fictional American President and what could have happened to the Cuban people.
Interspersed with the political intrigue was the story of 5 Cuban people trying to escape their homeland and the Cuban Revolution to the safety of Florida and the U.S. where they could be free. Each of the 5 were from completely different walks of life and their story of crossing the ocean was heartbreaking at times.
By the middle of this story, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I was completely taken with both storylines and when the reason for the title of this book became apparent, I got major chills.
I was one of the those who didn’t know much about Cuba and the embargo. This book opened my eyes to this fascinating history and I have to say, I really enjoyed it.
*Thank you so much to John H Cunningham and GetRedPR for a copy of this book.*
January 16, 2021
If you have read any of the author's books in his Buck Reilly series you are in for a surprise. This is absolutely nothing like any of those books. A complete 180. Political fiction.
Without giving too much away, it deals with the political situation in the U.S. and Cuba. What went on in Cuba and what caused so many people to risk their lives to escape the tyranny that they endured for so long.
Without giving too much away, it deals with the political situation in the U.S. and Cuba. What went on in Cuba and what caused so many people to risk their lives to escape the tyranny that they endured for so long.
November 20, 2020
Last Raft is a poignant fictionalisation of events surrounding America's relationship with Cuba, the embargo, an exodus of Cuban people, and one presidents unique approach to the problem. The author tells the gripping story from the eyes of the policy decision makers, and the poor souls at the opposing end of the circumstances, aboard a hand built raft trying to make their way to American shores.
Clearly written after years of research, Last Raft is rich in historical and geographical detail, an emotional and deeply fascinating journey into what may have been, and what could still be. A thoroughly enjoyable and intensely thought provoking novel.
Clearly written after years of research, Last Raft is rich in historical and geographical detail, an emotional and deeply fascinating journey into what may have been, and what could still be. A thoroughly enjoyable and intensely thought provoking novel.
October 12, 2020
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑅𝑎𝑓𝑡
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐽𝑜ℎ𝑛 𝐽. 𝐶𝑢𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔ℎ𝑎𝑚
𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 248
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝐻𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 📕📕📕📕🔖(4.5 stars)
•
This is the first book I have read from this author. Thank you Get Red PR for my #gifted copy.
•
I thought this book was extremely entertaining. Cuba has always been a hot bed for discussions, and this book keeps the conversation at the forefront. We follow five desperate people who flee Cuba aboard a homemade raft following an exodus of 100,000 countrymen. I completely enjoyed the writing of this author. Cunningham definitely did a lot of research prior to writing this book, and it showed in how detailed he was. I definitely learned a lot while reading this book, and would definitely read more books by him. If you are a fan of historical fiction, you definitely need to read this one.
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑅𝑎𝑓𝑡
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐽𝑜ℎ𝑛 𝐽. 𝐶𝑢𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔ℎ𝑎𝑚
𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 248
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝐻𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 📕📕📕📕🔖(4.5 stars)
•
This is the first book I have read from this author. Thank you Get Red PR for my #gifted copy.
•
I thought this book was extremely entertaining. Cuba has always been a hot bed for discussions, and this book keeps the conversation at the forefront. We follow five desperate people who flee Cuba aboard a homemade raft following an exodus of 100,000 countrymen. I completely enjoyed the writing of this author. Cunningham definitely did a lot of research prior to writing this book, and it showed in how detailed he was. I definitely learned a lot while reading this book, and would definitely read more books by him. If you are a fan of historical fiction, you definitely need to read this one.
December 10, 2020
A great imagining by John Cunningham of what could be in the relationship between the USA and Cuba. Cunningham offers the bones of a formula that would end the US embargo as well as the antiquated foreign policy towards Cuba, that may have been somewhat relevant in the past, but is completely out-dated today. Although Castro is now gone, the premise of this story is still very relevant. I hope a copy of this book ends up on Joe Biden’s desk.
July 14, 2021
"THE LAST RAFT" HAS COME TO LIFE!
For months I struggled writing a review for this wonderful book. It was just too close to home. Having fled communist Cuba as a child and serving the National Guard as a medical officer I truly was moved by Cunninghams' insightful and thrilling story, but personally, it was painful. Reflecting now on the fact that it elicited such deep feelings is a tribute to the author. You must read this book.
For months I struggled writing a review for this wonderful book. It was just too close to home. Having fled communist Cuba as a child and serving the National Guard as a medical officer I truly was moved by Cunninghams' insightful and thrilling story, but personally, it was painful. Reflecting now on the fact that it elicited such deep feelings is a tribute to the author. You must read this book.
January 1, 2021
My 95th Book of 2020
A real l history lesson and political thriller. America's relations with Cuba set the stage for this tension filled tale. Rioting in the streets, a President's attempt to open up the border between the U.S. and Cuba and a home-made raft caring 6 people trying to escape to America make up the different stories that eventually culminate in a powerful ending.
A real l history lesson and political thriller. America's relations with Cuba set the stage for this tension filled tale. Rioting in the streets, a President's attempt to open up the border between the U.S. and Cuba and a home-made raft caring 6 people trying to escape to America make up the different stories that eventually culminate in a powerful ending.
February 11, 2022
Story brought about old memories
My memories are nothing compared to the Cuban people who were actually living it. I however was living in Miami at that time and well remember the political and public reactions and statements. It is great that the attitude towards Cuba and its people has improved.
My memories are nothing compared to the Cuban people who were actually living it. I however was living in Miami at that time and well remember the political and public reactions and statements. It is great that the attitude towards Cuba and its people has improved.
November 16, 2020
A Superb Book
While a work of fiction, this is so well-written, it makes the reader forget that fact while you are reading it! This is a rare attribute for any work of fiction, at least it is in my experience.
While a work of fiction, this is so well-written, it makes the reader forget that fact while you are reading it! This is a rare attribute for any work of fiction, at least it is in my experience.
November 24, 2020
Too political. I did not like his book
Read
March 26, 2021An excellent novel.
While a marked departure from his usual work, The Last Raft is now one of my
new John Cunningham favorites. I highly recommend it.
While a marked departure from his usual work, The Last Raft is now one of my
new John Cunningham favorites. I highly recommend it.
May 13, 2022
A little slow
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews