Book review
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.13169/intejcubastud.5.2.0207 |
| Published date | 01 October 2013 |
| Date | 01 October 2013 |
| Pages | 207364-209 |
| Author | Joanna Allan |
BOOKREVIEWS 207
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bureaucracy, the members of which, despite being themselves impoverished, are
perhaps against change because they are fearful of losing their jobs and/or their
power and control.
The true danger for Cuba, therefore, lies not in the economy but in the politics.
Managing the transformation has fallen on the shoulders of Raúl Castro, who,
capable and fit as he evidently is, is still an octogenarian. These books amply
illustrate the magnitude of his task but they also provide a path forward. It is
Gabriele’s conclusion that a Cuban version of the Vietnamese/Chinese ‘market
socialism’ without their disadvantages and seamier consequences is possible, and
it is Campbell’s harder and more detailed historical evidence that provides the
basis for believing it.
Stephen Wilkinson, International Institute for the Study of Cuba
Vilma Espín, Asela de los Santos and Yolanda Ferrer, Women in Cuba.
The Making of a Revolution within the Revolution, Ed. Mary Alice Waters
(New York: Pathfinder Press, 2012) pb 364pp. ISBN 9781604880366
Reviewed by Joanna Allan
Far too often, for a variety of reasons that have their roots in patriarchy, women
are written out of history. Women in Cuba: the making of a revolution within
the revolution tells the story of the Cuban revolution through the words and
memories of three of the women that led it.
Mary Alice Waters, President of Pathfinder Press, introduces the women whose
testimonies are presented and outlines the book’s aims and arguments. The
book’s thesis, as stated by Waters, is that the Cuban revolution brought about
changes in women’s social, economic and political position. This revolution in
women’s condition, Waters argues, was organic and unplanned. It came about as
a natural product of the wider national revolution led by Fidel Castro, emerging
from the grassroots and not imposed from above.
The testimonies are opened by that of Asela de los Santos, who in 1956 left
her job as a teacher to join the July 26 Movement against the Batista regime.
First acting as a Courier for the Movement, transporting weapons, ammunition,
money and messages, de los Santos later headed up the Rebel Army’s Department
of Education as well as playing important roles in other areas of health and
social infrastructure. After the Movement’s victory in 1959, de los Santos
held various important posts, including Minister for Education from 1979
to 1981. Her testimony leaves the reader with an understanding of how the
Movement worked to eliminate illiteracy as well as greatly improving health
IJCS5_2 207 27/11/2013 09:02
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