Customer Reviews

The Prison Letters of Fidel Castro

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First, let me warn you that this book was put together by people that absolutely hate Fidel Castro. The introduction talks about how he is at best a "movie star dictator" and at worst an "unforgiving tyrant." Even though it is a great book, many people will be turned off by how bad of a taste the introduction puts into your mouth. The man can't even get to tell his side of the story without interruption (in this book, at least).

That being said, this is a great look at Fidel Castro as he wanted to tell the story. This was originally published the year Fidel took power, 1959. It does a great job of showing Fidel's true range of emotions while in prison.

My favorite topics covered here include (this is by no means a complete list):

1. Getting Fidel's son a good education
2. Fidel showing that he is a God fearing man, and
3. His planning the seeds of the revolution

There is also a phenominal letter written to the father of one of the men who died in the attack that put Fidel in prison. I could never do justice to how beautifully written that letter is, but I will say it is worth the price of the book to see how deeply loving Fidel can be while in prison.

The letters only go from December of 1953 to May of 1955, so this isn't a biography of his life. For that, I recommend "Fidel Castro Handbook" by George Galloway.

But, this book is a great addition to anyone that wants to know what Fidel Castro is like without the intense hatred and bias from the so called "Liberal Media" in the United States.

The Prison Letters of Fidel Castro give an honest and in his own words look into the life of the person, lawyer and revolutionary, Fidel Castro, while imprisoned from 1953 until 1955.
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How to read this book: Castro has always been demonized by American Society... No different than how American Presidents have been demonized by Cuba. Recognizing all of this as nothing more than tribalistic nationalism, it is important to read this book without such prejudice and try to see what Castro was trying to obtain for his people and himself instead of how those pursuits might or might not be in America's interest.
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In his letters to friends and relatives Castro's unwavering resolve for the Cuban people is always evident. His goal seems to be an honest desire for Cuban's to have the best lives possible, meaning a revolution against Batista, and he seems willing to die in that pursuit. It is important to note, as Castro does often, that life under Batista was not pretty. Widespread corruption, illiteracy, casinos, brothels, U.S. companies buying up all the businesses, a 20% unemployment rate. When you realize how Castro saw life for Cubans under Batista, and when you add to that the support given to Batista by the United States, it is not easy to see why Castro had issues with both.
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The Castro of the 60's and beyond is a discussion for another book and maybe another review. But the case made by Castro in his Prison Letters shows a man with a justifiable concern for his countrymen and an unwavering desire for a justifiable revolution.