Frank Pais: Architect of Cuba's Betrayed Revolution [Paperback]

Jose Alvarez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2009

Even though Fidel Castro founded the "26 of July" movement, this book shows that the organizing throughout Cuba fell on the shoulders of an underground leader named Frank Pais, who was also responsible for the survival of the incipient guerrilla force led by Castro in the Sierra Maestra. Pais became not only the National Chief of Action-as portrayed in the official publications-but the top leader of the M-26-7's National Directorate. The antagonism between Castro and Pais may have been the reason for his mysterious death when he was only 22 years of age. This is the true story of his life and legacy. At this crucial time, when historians are trying to arrive at the revolution's final balance, a book like this is essential to read before reaching an impartial verdict.

Product Details

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: Universal Publishers (April 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599429179
• ISBN-13: 978-1599429175
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,073,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

José Alvarez was born in Antilla, Cuba, in 1940. He came to the United States in 1969. After graduating with a Ph.D. in Food and Resource Economics at the University of Florida, he remained in its faculty until his retirement in 2004, where he was appointed Professor Emeritus. During his academic career, he was a prolific writer, and some of his books are shown in this Author Central.
Dr. Alvarez started a research project more than twenty years ago, calling it "Rethinking the Cuban Rebellion of 1952-1959" with the purpose of examining closely the events that brought Fidel Castro to absolute power in Cuba in 1959. He played an active role in the rebellion at an early age. More information can be obtained at http://josepepinalvarez.com. The three books resulting from that project have already won five book awards, and are also shown herein.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Frank Pais, February 23, 2010

By 

Francis Argote Freyre - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Frank Pais: Architect of Cuba's Betrayed Revolution (Paperback)

Frank Pais was one of the most important revolutionary leaders in the struggle against Batista. Unfortunately, he has been largely forgotten by scholars and journalists. Jose Alvarez makes an important contribution to Cuban historiography by bringing Pais to life. This work is long overdue.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing look into Cuban politics, July 18, 2009

By 

Sabrina "sabrinasumsion dot com" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Frank Pais: Architect of Cuba's Betrayed Revolution (Paperback)

When most people think of Cuba, they think of one man -Fidel Castro. This controversial dictator stole the country and the attention of the world. His infamy has overshadowed the contributions of other great men who had part in the Cuban revolution in the 50s.

Frank Pais was one man whose contribution is mostly forgotten. Frank Pais was a part of the "26 of July" movement that resisted the government and planned its overthrow. He is theorized to be the true power behind the success of the revolution and a dangerous threat to Castro's ability to take power. Pais' charisma held groups together, buoyed the spirits of the rebel forces. His quick mind organized effective forces and sabotages. His incredible contribution was cut short at the age of 22 under questionable circumstances.

Written by Jose Alvarez, Ph.D., a fellow militant and "26 of July" member, Frank Pais: Architect of Cuba's Betrayed Revolution is a well researched and enlightening look at a public figure who has been hidden from the world's eye for over 50 years. The fact that the author was there and witnessed first hand and participated in many events brings strength to the story that a mere historian cannot write.

A must for college courses on Cuba's revolution and for anyone who wants to understand the evolution of modern politics in Cuba, Frank Pais is enlightening and educational.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fank Pais, May 22, 2009

By 

Jose A. Gonzalez (Baton Rouge, LA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Frank Pais: Architect of Cuba's Betrayed Revolution (Paperback)

Once I started reading it I was not able to let it go until finishing it! A great historic book for those of us that have followed the Cuban Revolution of Fidel Castro, although seldom mentioned there had been three additional revolutions in Cuba 1868, 1898 and the one against Machado. Frank was a young man with an idealistic future, full of life, full of hope, but naive as to what he seeked in a country loaded with mental dictators just waiting for an opportunity to become the Caudillo (President) of our republic and continue the killings and theft that Cuban governments had become known for in essence, how we learned to rule from our former colonial oppressors, Spain.

His death brought upon Cuba the death of a real martyr. His death moved the masses and thus added more fire to a poltical inferno that was going on in Santiago de Cuba, his city, in the mid to late 50s, the cradle of Castro's revolution.

Although outlined as the "real brain" of the "revolutionary movement" I would tend to disagree with that statement as there were many involved, although Castro, as per usual, took all of the credit. But he was the mover and shaker, one that was sacrificed and taken advantage of as has been the fate of many others that were involved with Castro. His ideals were exploited, but in a different way from what he really promulgated.