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Jose Marti Reader : Writings on the Americas

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"A sincere man am I
From the land where palm trees grow,
And I want before I die
My soul's verses to bestow".

You may recognize these words. They are the English translation of the first verse of "Guantanamera", a beautiful and very popular Cuban song. This was orignally a poem written by Jose Marti which you will find in it's entirety among his other eloquent and inspiring works in the "Jose Marti Reader...Writings On The Americas".

If you have never read the words of Marti before, this is an excellent book to start with. Jose Marti, was the brillant and outspoken leader of Cuba's War of Independence against Spain. But he was so much more than that. He was a compassionate humanitarian, a spokesman for Latin America,a highly respected jouranlist, an inspiring teacher, and an eloquent poet.

His words and most important works, translated beautifully, are compiled in this wonderful book through his essays, speeches, newspaper articles, Verses and his personal letters,which are especially touching. He lived from 1853(born in Havana) and died while practically single handedly leading the fight against Spain in 1895.

The book is sectioned into three chronogical parts.Most of these works were written during his exile, while living in New York. He was the eyes and voice for most Cubans and Latin Americans. His "Writings On The Americas", "Letters" and "Verse". He writes in 1885 about the unfair treament of "Indians in the United States", he was there for the "Dedication of the Statue of Liberty" and reminds us of the freedoms we here in America take so much for granted, and what it's like not to know these freedoms. He writes of great men like San Martin, Simon Bolivar, and counts Harriet Beecher Stowe among the people he most admired. His letters, most especially those to his family, tell us what a caring and loving man he was. And his verses so beautifully refelct his views on life, you can just get lost
in them.

This is not what I would call a light read,admitedly, there were
occassions where I had to reread some thoughts to truly understand what he was saying, but I found it to be absolutely inspiring and thought provoking.

Marti was a man who said,,"There are no races: there are only the various
modifictions of man in details of form and habits....." In every word he
writes his passion for his country and the human race is evident.

enjoy this wonderful book.....Laurie

For a somewhat lighter look at the beautiful people and country side of Cuba check out:
Honey for Oshun (Miel Para Oshun)

Jose Marti is a popular figure and it is beneficial to have various translations of his work available. This reader is useful but has some errors in the introduction and in the translations. The Selected Writings by Penguin in a better way to get acquainted with Marti's work.

Schnookal, Deborah and Mirta Muniz (editors) 2007 Jose Marti Reader: Writings on the Americas. Ocean Press. Melbourne, New York, London ISBN-10 1920888748 ISBN-13 978-1920888749 The first thing to remember is that Jose Marti (accent on the last syllable) was not a Marxist, since although he believed in physical battle for freedom, he advocated remedial humane change. Thus, Marti never should be confused with radical mad murders who, saying they are revolutionaries, wish and act to exterminate all their enemies. Marti was the intellectual behind the last Cuban war of independence and died in battle leading it.


I repeat Marti was a revolutionary but not a Marxist. Martí defined this well in 1883 when he said (see page 47 of this volume), in Spanish of course: "Look at this large hall, Karl Marx is dead. He deserves to be honored for declaring himself on the side of the weak. But the virtuous man is not the one who points out the damage and burns with generous anxiety to put it right; he is the one who teaches a gentle amendment to the injury. The task of setting men in opposition against men is frightening. The compulsory brutalization of men for the profit of others stirs anger. But an outlet must be found for this anger before it overflows and terrifies. " Martí died, leading in battle twelve years later; worldwide in the next century perhaps a hundred million have died because this warning went unheeded.

Larry Daley

This is a hit-or-miss collection. Some of the essays are towering achievements concerning mankind and revolution. Others are less powerful and veer into ramblings about specific social systems or situations.