This is an excellent addition to the landscape of Churchill volumes. It is an easy read with a coherent and well organized narrative and uncovers much which has not been known about Churchill's first foray into combat in 1895 Cuba.
My interest was piqued when I heard the author speak at a Churchill conference in England last summer. He is a bi-lingual Canadian historian who focuses on Latin American and especially Cuban history. Being Canadian instead of American, he has been able to make a number of visits to Cuba over the years, has professional relationships there and is extremely well versed in Cuban history. As his prologue details, he is just the historian to write the first in depth examination of the details of the young Churchill's 1895 visit to Cuba along with his friend and fellow cavalry officer Reginald "Reggie" Barnes.
A recently commissioned cavalry officer, the young (on the cusp of turning 21) Churchill wanted to experience combat in order to test himself. The only war zone at the time was the Cuban insurgency against Spanish colonial rule. Some of the same insurgents had participated in an earlier insurrection which occurred roughly 20 years previously. This second attempt had considerably more support from the local populace. With considerable leave available Churchill and Barnes made their way through New York to Havana and then deep into the Cuban interior in the company of Spanish troops on a dangerous patrol seeking to engage the Cuban rebels. They found what Churchill was looking for in the form of ambushes and several heavy firefights.
Churchill also secured a paid assignment as a war correspondent for the Graphic and sent "letters" back describing and analyzing the conflict and the action he witnessed. These letters and personal correspondence to his mother and others have been pretty much all we have had available about the details of this trip until now. The author is able to add substantial additional information, both detailed information and analytical perspective, much of it from Cuban and Spanish sources. The photographs are also excellent.
While some of the detail regarding the insurrection and the Cuban and Spanish figures involved may be more than will interest some readers, it is presented clearly and is entirely relevant to painting an accurate picture of the conflict into which Churchill and Barnes ventured. I especially appreciated the additional information regarding Barnes. Barnes surfaces repeatedly in the history of Churchill's early years on active duty but it is hard to find out much about him beyond the fact that he was on this trip, was a housemate and 4th Hussars polo teammate with Churchill in Bangalore, India later and was badly wounded during the Boer War. I was especially delighted to discover a high quality picture of Barnes at this time--something for which I have searched in vain for years.
The author does an excellent job of detailing how many hurdles Churchill had to clear to pull off the approvals needed for his proposed trip--from both British and Spanish authorities--as well the reasons the various parties had for being favorably inclined. He further provides detailed analysis of the quality of Churchill's military and political assessments of the situation--not 100% on the money but exceptional for such a young and inexperienced junior officer.
I found quite interesting the author's assessment of the impact of his Cuban experience on Churchill's career. The quality of his writing and reporting raised his profile as a reporter and analyst. Not only was his publisher highly impressed but Churchill was asked to write a series of more sophisticated and analytical articles for the prestigious Saturday Review upon his return and became sought after for his opinions on the conflict. This was quite valuable in separating him from the pack of other young aristocrats and launched his lifelong career as a journalist, columnist and historian.
This is a historically significant and very well done book. I highly recommend it.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Limited-Time Offer
3 Months FREE of Audible Premium Plus. Get this deal
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
A VERY WELL DONE AND HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT ADDITION TO CHURCHILL'S LIFE STORY--HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 21, 2016
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 29, 2017
Top reviews from other countries
Captain Keith
Great Read, of a lesser know Part off Churchill's Life
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 2, 2019alan dennis berridge
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 21, 2015
