Customer Reviews

Culture Shock! Cuba: A Guide to Customs & Etiquette

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I bought this book after I fell in love with the Buena Vista Social Club series and thus Cuba. It is difficult to find unbiased reporting on life in Cuba because most people have very strong feelings about this island. Cramer carefully considers all opinions but actually talks to the people who live there. He doesn't just interview those who love Castro -- in fact, most think Castro should step down. He interviews people who feel that Cuba is racist and those who feel that the "social experiment" has eliminated racism. The book is very intellectually honest which is rare any work but especially one on Cuba. Cramer demonstrates why he is horserace betting's most effective writer. He can teach while he tells amazing stories.

Cramer has written a fascinating look at an amazing island.

Culture Shock Cuba really did it for me. Any imaginable situation you get yourself in while visiting Cuba is mentioned. Coming from a Northern European culture there was just a lot for me to understand, if I didn't want to behave like a total weirdo. It is an easy and fun to read book I absolutely recommend.

I must say I agree with Cramer when it comes to the wealth of Cuban culture. However I have a few concerns about this book. A most shocking part of this book is what is not in it. While it is true that Cuban citizens have no right to bear arms since all weapons were confiscated at the start of the revolution, gun violence is still a factor to consider in Cuba. Consider the case of Joachim Løvschall a Danish student learning Spanish in Cuba who was shot in the back and killed by Cuban state security with an AK-47... In addition, I did not care to hear about how JoAnne Chesimard aka "Asaka Shakur" a fugitive from justice, convicted of killing a NJ state trooper, had learned to adapt to life in Cuba. By sharing the story of Ms. Chesimard Cramer lends credence to her "story" of persecuted victim. In addition, Cramer says he will be balanced but by mentioning the story of Ms. Chesimard an allegedly former political prisoner in the US and not mentioning the plight of dissidents in Cuba (such as Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet... his commitment falls through. The US Department of State has suggestions not mentioned in Culture Shock for those wanting to visit Cuban schools and universities...