Capitalism, God, and a Good Cigar

Capitalism, God, and a Good Cigar - Cuba Enters the Twenty-First Century
edited by Lydia Chavez

Consisting of about a dozen essays, this book gives a great look at life and opinion of Cuba from all angles. It talks about the culture, the arts, the economy, politics and just the daily life of Cubans living in Cuba and abroad. Because its written by various people, each has a style, but they all are intriguing even if not on a subject you'd think would be your top interest. Its probably not something to read if you don't know a good bit about the history of the Cuban Revolution. For me, it helped to understand on a more day to day level, the effects of the embargo, the Special Period after the Soviet Unions collapse, and the emerging US dollar market. It also talks about the opinons of Cubans living abroad, giving a better sense of their complexities (i.e. the different views of Cubans who left immediately after Castro came into power, versus those who left later). Its about 200 pages but I finished it in less than a week - its full of information yet still its quick and very readable.

Prospero's Daughter

Prospero's Daughter by Elizabeth Nunez

Elizabeth Nunez is a faculty member at CUNY and had a book reading a couple weeks ago. Partly as an effort to kiss up to some senior folks at work *lol* I picked up the book to read before the event. And COULD NOT put it down. Only afterwards did I realize I have three other book by her, but just never got around to reading them.

Its based on the love story The Tempest, but her spin is set in Trinidad in the 60s. Side note, I've never read The Tempest and this book is still very enjoyable. Anyway, its a story of an English girl and her Dad who are living in Trinidad and the love that develops between her and Carlos, a native of the island. As can be expected, this relationship doesn't sit well with her father, and he goes to an extreme length to attempt to keep them apart. Within the story, it looks at the effects of colonialism, racism and class. I definitely need to go back to my collection and read her other books.

Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution

Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution by Richard Gott

Only about 300 pages, this book is a great introduction to Chavez, his ideological views and the politics of Venezuela. While it talks a lot about the events leading up to Chavez being elected President and the past goverments, it also touches on the social environment and economics of Venezuela.

The author is a former correspondent for the Guardian and is a specialist in Latin American affairs, so its written pretty objectively. Reading the history of a country can get boring but Gott does a good job to give details to understand the current conditions but not too much detail to put you to sleep.