Cuba on the Verge: An Island in Transition

Bys: Terry McCoy, William Kennedy, Arthur Miller

Book Overview

This is a groundbreaking collection of original photos and essays that shed light on a fascinating country in transition. 75 photos.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0821228021
• ISBN13: 9780821228029
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Bulfinch Press
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 12.1" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

A MASTERPIECE

If you look at something from enough different angles, you begin to sense what it is truly like. That is the overarching strategy of this wondrous book. Multi-faceted Cuba is seen through the eyes of greatly gifted writers and photographers, each with his or her own unique relationship with and idiosyncratic take on the island. The strategy succeeds brilliantly. Paradoxes and trade-offs are subtly explored, for example, between the blessings of free education and health care versus constraints on the ability to pursue dreams. You get not only to understand but also to feel the sensuous physical beauty of the place and the strains of Cuba's love/hate relationship with the U.S.. After spending time with this book, I feel as if I had actually been there and am left with a longing to go.

Tribute to a culture

We were drawn to the title of this book simply because of our interest in Cuba and its history and hardships. Hoping to someday visit, we were intrigued by the visual and literary representation of the story. The photography is provocative with components of sadness and pride evident in the faces that are looking back at the camera. What is remarkable is the tragedy of a once beautiful country. The destruction of Cuba and the hopelessness of its people are vividly depicted. Yet the pride and strength that is intrinsic to Cuba's culture fosters growth and change.

A Book Of Captivating Beauty

Having visited the places in this book, such as the beautiful Old Havana, El Malecón and the captivating country side- I can truly say that this book, by it's wonderful photgraphy and powerful essays, has captured the tu essence of what is Cuba today. This book allows you to enjoy the breathtaking island caught in a past era distinguished by its architecture, granduer of vision and the vibrant sense of life. This book captures a great sense of life, optimism, spirit and pride of the wonderous country.

Thank you for this book

I'm a Cuban artist currently living in the US. This book is the most important book about Cuba today to come out in many years. The images are magnificent and the concept is orginal and very smart. The essays provide an additional layer of texture than the basic coffee table book with photos alone. Now, when people ask me what Cuba is like, I'm going to show them this book.