Customer Reviews

The Bay of Pigs: The Leaders' Story of Brigade 2506

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While I've never read any of his other works, Haynes Johnson did a wonderful job with this one. By writing this not too long after the Bay of Pigs invasion, he was able to talk to those involved while it was still reasonably fresh in their memories. The fact that it is told from their point of view makes this a powerful and moving account. I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in either Cuban history or Cold War history. It may not be a very comprehensive view of the situation since its told mainly from one view point, but it's an interesting starting point.

Fifty years ago, the United States embarassed themselves and wrote a shameful page in its history. Haynes Johnson does a fine job in relating the stories of the participants. He goes on to effectively communicate their drive and patriotism turning later into despair and hopelessness because of the indecisiveness and cowardice of the Kennedy administration.

This is an accurate account of the training, landing at Bay of Pigs, and two-year imprisonment of nearly fifteen hundred Cuban exiles. Their deeds in the battlefield are courageous, but the short three-day battle was lost due to poor planning (whether underestimation of Castro's resources, logistics re-supply, and landing site change from Trinidad to an Everglades like swamp) and miscommunications between the CIA and the Kennedy cabinet on utilization of air support. Poor sanitary and nutrition conditions in Castro's prisons are told. Efforts for collecting Castro's ransom to release the prisoners are also narrated. By writing this not too long after the Bay of Pigs invasion, Haynes was able to talk to the Cuban exiles involved while memories were still fresh in their minds. I recommend this book to those interested in either the Cuban Revolution or in Cold War history.

I am glad I had the opportunity to read this book. It tells it from the standpoint of those who participated directly in the invasion. The participants share their thoughts and emotions. They describe their many months in prison.

I found the book particularly valuable as a look back at the political situation in the U.S. House and Senate. Senators and Representatives are quoted during the negotiations to free the hostage Brigade members.

I think it pays to read several sources when trying to get to the "truth" of a political situation.

I'm glad I could hear the voices of the Brigade members.