Leadership in the Cuban Revolution The Unseen Story

Much of the literature on the Cuban Revolution seem to be mesmerised by the personality and role of Fidel Castro, an interpretation which has often prevented a deeper political understanding of the Revolution's underlying structures.

Here Anthony Kapcia offers a much-needed corrective to 'Fidel-centric' histories of the Cuban revolution, focusing instead on a wider cast of characters unknown to casual observers. Besides the more obvious contributions from Che Guevara and Raúl Castro, each decade since has seen several key players involved in the processes of decision-making, often making a significant difference to the outcome of debates, decisions and definitions. As well as analysing their influence, Kapcia interprets their various roles within a wider process of nation-building, demonstrating that Cuba has undergone an unusual, if not unique, process of revolutionary corporatism.

Essential reading for anyone interested in Cuba's history and its future.

Antoni Kapcia is Professor of Latin American History at the University of Nottingham, UK, where he also directs the Centre for Research on Cuba. Since 1975, he has published extensively on aspects of modern and contemporary Cuban history, focusing especially on political and cultural history and on the questions of ideology and national identity. His books include Cuba: Island of Dreams (2000), Havana: the Making of Cuban Culture (2005), Cuba in Revolution (2008) and (in conjunction with Par Kumaraswami) Literary Culture in Cuba: Revolution, Nation-Building and the Book (2012).

Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms
Glossary of Spanish Terms Used
Stylistic Notes
Introduction: The Problem with 'Fidel-centrism'
1. The Core Leadership: the Familiar Triumvirate
2. The Formation of 'the vanguard', 1953-58
3. Taking Stock and Finding Direction, 1959-62
4. The Years of 'revolutionary' flux, 1963-75
5. The Stable Years: Systems, Institutions and Bureaucrats, 1975-1986
6. The Return of Fluidity: Rectification, Crisis, Disintegration and the Reformulation of the State, 1986-the Present
7. Inclusion and Exclusion: 'Within' and 'Against' the Revolution
8. Inclusion and Collectivity in the Context of Nation-building: a Revolutionary Corporatism?
Bibliography