The Cuban Way: Capitalism, Communism and Confrontation [Paperback]

Ana Julia Jatar-Hausmann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1999

* Named "Outstanding Academic Title" by CHOICE Magazine
* Uses first-hand accounts to provide a balanced report of the socialist Cuban reality
* For anyone seriously debating the US policy toward Cuba

Relating the experiences of contemporary Cuban people, this book is an original analysis of the economic policies and trends in socialist Cuba. Based on Jatar-Hausmann’s personally-collected data, it surveys more than two-hundred self-employed individuals, and includes interviews with government officials, academics, and average citizens. Vignettes depicting citizen’s daily struggles illustrate dilemmas and complexities of a socialist nation transitioning to a more open economy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

For an eminently readable and engaging overview of life in Cuba, there is no better volume one could choose. Skillfully weaving personal vignettes and scholarly research, Jatar-Hausmann provides a balanced perspective on the contradictions of an economy and society torn between two worlds. The level of presentation is so skillfully done that those knowing little about Cuba society as well as experts will come away with new insights. -- Choice, March, 2000

Get to know the Cubans! Combining professional and personal journeys, author Ana Julia Jatar-Hausman returns to the island of her birth- specifically to the hotel her grandfather operated until the government appropriated it for housing. The author deftly explores the complex, chaotic and appealing culture of the Cubans. She provides descriptive portraits of the newly self-employed, from meat vendors to owners of small restaurants (paladars). This book, subtitled "Capitalism, Communism and Confrontation," is as much about people as it is about policy. Surveys and illustrations document the changing roles of sugar and tourism in the economy as well as a profile of the rise and fall of the fiscal deficit. Excellent! -- Planeta.com, June 1999 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Named 'Outstanding Academic Title'by CHOICE Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Kumarian Press (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565490886
• ISBN-13: 978-1565490888
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,737,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise, Readable, Excellent, August 6, 2000

By 

Brian Alexander - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cuban Way: Capitalism, Communism and Confrontation (Paperback)

"The Cuban Way" is perhaps the best resource for easily understanding the confusing state of the Cuban economy (and politics and society, for that matter). I have studied the Cuban situation for many years, have read many books and articles on the subject, and authored a few publications of my own, and nothing I have come across on the subject is better. I also run a consulting company about trade with Cuba, Giraldilla.com, and I am constantly referring clients who want an accessible, thorough overview to this book. Through an excellent combination of clear explanation, helpful charts and graphs, and personal anecdotes, the author paints a broad, a comprehensive picture that is full of detail, but not overwhealming or too technical. Jatar-Hausman performs a great service to the Cuba expert and the Cuba curious alike.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars serious read, well-written, October 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cuban Way: Capitalism, Communism and Confrontation (Paperback)

The Cuban Way (by Ana Julia Jatar-Hausman, Kumarian Press) is an essential read for anyone going to the island for more than just a few hours of sun. Most contemporary books tackling current events in Cuba have been either so rabidly anti-Castro or so hopelessly fawning, that few have captured the current mood of Cuba. Jatar-Hausman captures the feelings of everyday Cubans in her analysis of their island's political direction. It's heavy reading - but vital if you want to fully understand today's Cuba.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good overview of Cuba toward the end of the Special Period, February 17, 2002

By 

T. J. Fyke (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Cuban Way: Capitalism, Communism and Confrontation (Paperback)

This book mixes little snapshots of individuals' lives in Cuba after the bottom fell out of the Cuban economy in 93-94 with statistical data to provide a good mix of hard facts and real-life experiences. This post 1994 look is important in that it realizes that the Cuban economy is not going to simply collapse any time soon and that Castro and the rest of the Cuban government figures will likely be around for a while.

The book gives equal weight to the history of Cuba and today's Cuba while managing to show that the country is not simply a product of its history. The different anecdotes about moonlighting psychiatrists and frustrated economists bring the points to a more visceral level.

The mix of statistics in the form of charts and graphs and real world experience blends together into a readable, cohesive look at the Cuba of today. I definitely recommend this book to whoever wishes to learn a little more about the Cuba of today.