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Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba: The Biography of a Cause | 
 enlarge | Author: Tom Gjelten
Publisher: Viking Adult
Category: Book
List Price: $27.95
Buy New: $15.45
You Save: $12.50 (45%)
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Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 2419
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 480
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.6
ISBN: 067001978X
Dewey Decimal Number: 338.766359097491
EAN: 9780670019786
ASIN: 067001978X
Publication Date: September 4, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
A unique history of Cuba, captured in the life and times of the famous rum dynasty
The Bacardis of Cuba, builders of a rum distillery and a worldwide brand, came of age with their nation and helped define what it meant to be Cuban. Across five generations, the Bacardi family has held fast to its Cuban identity, even in exile from the country for whose freedom they once fought. Now National Public Radio correspondent Tom Gjelten tells the dramatic story of one family, its business, and its nation, a 150-year tale with the sweep and power of an epic.
The Bacardi clan--patriots and bon vivants, entrepreneurs and intellectuals--provided an example of business and civic leadership in its homeland for nearly a century. From the fight for Cuban independence from Spain in the 1860s to the rise of Fidel Castro and beyond, there is no chapter in Cuban history in which the Bacardis have not played a role. In chronicling the saga of this remarkable family and the company that bears its name, Tom Gjelten describes the intersection of business and power, family and politics, community and exile.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
A Fine Document November 23, 2008
Jose Sotolongo (Kingston, NY United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Tom Gjelten is a reporter for National Public Radio, with extensive background in foreign affairs. He shows is skill in understanding international relations with this masterful history of Cuba, from colonial days to the present. This is a beautifully documented history, with footnotes, a detailed list of sources, and a comprehensive index.
The history of the Cuban nation is interwoven with the history of the Bacardi family, from the first Catalan immigrant, Facundo Bacardi, to the present diaspora living in exile (except for Gilda and Gustavin, who I happened to know as a child, and who were and are sympathizers of the Castro regime and are still in Cuba). He dutifully relates the sequence of presidents and dictators of the island, with the social and political background of each regime. This may sound dull and perhaps too academic, but the struggle of the family throughout the history of the island gives it a personal and involving dimension.
In the last chapter, Gjelten speaks to the dynamics of the present political situation of Cuba, both from the point of view of the exile community, as well as from the needs of the post-Castro Cuban nation. This makes the book an important resource for anyone interested in being involved, either emotionally or in a practical, active way, in the future Cuba.
Really interesting story October 20, 2008
C. viader Soler
this way of knowing the history of a country by knowing the history of a "Saga" or family, is really amazing. It's a ways you can understand a lot, about feelings, emotions and so. I think that the author could know something else about the history of CAtalonia to understand Facundo, Emilio...
Excellent piece of history ... October 15, 2008
Charlie Stella (Brooklyn, New York)
This is a wonderful study of a family and its country. The Barcardi family proves out to be extra special and the author provides a great snapshot of the various stages of Cuban misfortune through Spanish and American imperlialism. The cause and effect insurrections within (all, but especially from Batista's coup to Castro's) are understandable and sad ... and it was wonderful to learn how the name Bacardi means so much more than Rum. Very interesting reading ... and a fine history lesson.
 Rum, Dictators and how Bacardi survived October 15, 2008
Joseph D. Policano (New York, USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is a terrific book. It tells the tale of 150 years of Cuban and Bacardi history without burdening you with more facts, personalities , and anecdotes than you need to understand the company. In addition to the story of th Bacardi family it is a fast overview of how and why Cuba got to where it is today. Like most good
journalists,the author can compress a story yet give you the feeling that you know all the important stuff that needs to be known. The Bacardi family and company (it is still privately owned)certainly ranks as one of the most interesting and liberal I have ever come across reading about big businesses. They were not Johnnies come lately in the battle for Cuban freedom both from Spain and the native born dictators who followed after the American invaders left the island. They supported and financed the
Castro revolution and then had to flee the country when he turned into a communist dictator. They then fought him from the Bay of Pigs to this day.
At a time when Cuban workers were exploited under Spain and then under Cuban dictators, Bacardi seems to have been an enlightened employer providing its workers with benefits and security far beyond others.When one remembers that the company prospered under a series of ruthless and corrupt dictators who turned Havanna into a mafia controlled enclave, they seem all the more incredible that they could remain clean while they had so much mud around them In fact, with the exception of the rare philanderer or less than bright family member, the Bacardi family over this 150 year time span seems extraordinary for their compassion, accomplishments, and sense of duty and honor. Perhaps too extraordinary. Reading through the book I had to marvel how so many people could be so good over so many years. They make the Rockefellers seem like heartless aristocrats. The author received, by his own acknowledgement, priceless assistance from various family members who gave him unique access to their history and records and, understandably, this may have tilted him in their favor. But even with its flaws it still remains a very important book.
Exceptional Book September 28, 2008
Brunilda N. Baeza (Miami, Florida United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I am Cuban-born, and have throughly enjoyed this book and am buying copies to send to all my children, one of which is NPR's Baghdad Bureau Chief. It is historically accurate, very well written, and portrays Cuba and the Bacardi family with knowledge and understanding. It is truly a brilliant achievement and recommend anyone who is interested in Cuba to read it.
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