Matthew Langdon Cost

I have not read much about Cuba, and this was an interesting historical fiction novel about a few characters who helped Fidel Castro with various attacks and revolutions. This in turn then caused Batista to run for his life, albeit it took quite a few years for the infiltration and attacks to actually make waves as to what he was trying to accomplish.

This novel is told, mainly through the character of Vicente who is with Fidel from the very first botched infiltration at Santiago, until the very end and Batista fleeing. Fidel really was not going to quit until he accomplished getting Batista out of office, and it took years but he did it. In a way, he reminds me of Hitler who would not stop until he had all the power.

I did not realize how much Fidel and his guerrillas went through to obtain what they did. He started out with hardly much of an army but slowly over time it grew as people started to believe in what he was preaching. What he was claiming he wanted to accomplish. How they deserved better. It was interesting to read, about how he had a plan, but he also did not and that it seems as luck often played a role in them not all being taken into custody or massacred.

I also liked that the author incorporated maps, and tidbits of correspondence that was potentially happening between the US government and US Cuban Ambassador. I did not realize that the US had come and infiltrated the island like they did with casino's and whatnot. It was a very interesting piece of history that was not all that long ago.

Thank you to the author, Matthew and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for the free book to review, and invite to the tour. I suggest this novel for anyone interested in Cuban history, and how Fidel did come into power and what it took.… (altro)