Rating: 
Summary: A well rounded look at Cuba
Review: All those whose interest in Cuba has been caught by the plight of little Elian Gonzales would do well to read Catherine Moses' evenhanded and compassionate take on Cuba. Ms. Moses, a diplomat assigned to the U.S. Interests Section in Havana for 20 months, writes with the painterly eye of a fiction writer yet also with the precision of a scholar, which she is. With no exploitative interests in Cuba, hers is a unique position from which to view this society. Her book is rich in details about the daily life and work of the people, the history of the revolution and the American relationship to Cuba in recent years. Those who need a refresher course on the Migration Accords or the Fifth Party Pelenum can learn the details here. What is most powerful about the book however, is not its delineation of politics and policy, but its deep appreciation of the spiritual vibrancy and love of life of the Cuban people. If you are interested in Cuba, I can't think of a better place to start.
Rating: 
Summary: More Than a Passing Glance
Review: Catherine Moses has written a very readable synopsis of her experiences in Cuba and her impressions of Cuban life based on the people she met. The chapter divisons on health care, migrations, news and information, education, etc. are helpfully organized. I found the chapters on religions and the Cuban spirit particularly interesting.Having lived in East Berlin before the wall came down, it was easy for me to note parallels between the totalitarian societies. No where does she claim to be an expert, and I know I certainly wasn't. So I would have liked to have read more about her own personal experiences, seeing Cuba through her eyes, as it were. Of course that would have been subjective, incomplete, and unscientific, but ever so fascinating in the glimpses and questions raised. I'm looking forward to her next book!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent overview of Cuban sentiment and experience.
Review: Catherine Moses's Real Life In Castro's Cuba provides an excellent overview of Cuban sentiment and daily experiences. First-person insights gather the realities of life and perceptions in Cuba adding a healthy dose of historical background and details on relationships between the two countries as perceived by the common man.
Rating: 
Summary: What's the Message?
Review: Dry and poorly organized, this book is little more than a series of disjointed ramblings loosely divided into chapters. Ms. Moses apparently wrote down her remembrances as they randomly popped into her head, but she never went back and edited them to put them into any semblance of order. Back and forth she goes, in one sentence telling how the Cubans are oppressed, in the next telling how they are resourceful and able to make do with the very little they have, how they see no hope, then that they see the light at the end of the tunnel. What she relates is so generalized that one could easily substitute the name of any oppressed group of people for "Cuba" and be telling their story with equal (in)articulation. Especially irritating is the fact that she mentions numerous individuals, and whether a revered patriot or her kindly next-door neighbor, she describes each in terms as mundane and pointless as skin tone and intelligence level, attributes some blasé word or phrase to him or her meant to be clever or all-knowing, then rarely mentions that person again. Worse, her final statement about that person is often something to the effect of, "I'm not sure whatever became of him." Referring again to the book's generalities, most readers will already know that the Cubans are an oppressed people; that they live in a police state that (like every police state) follows their every move and metes out punishment to those who do not toe the line; that they (like all oppressed peoples) are conflicted by a love for their homeland and the idea of chucking it all for another place and a better existence. Again, in my estimation these are commonsensical, everyday notions. It is not necessary to have lived in Cuba to understand them. And although there has to be a wealth of knowledge available from someone who has lived there, it is to be found in some other book. This one does nothing to impart the Cubans' unique plight, and after reading it, the reader will know little more about Cuba than he or she probably already does.
Rating:
Summary: What's the Message?
Review: Dry and poorly organized, this book is little more than a series of disjointed ramblings loosely divided into chapters. Ms. Moses apparently wrote down her remembrances as they randomly popped into her head, but she never went back and edited them to put them into any semblance of order. Back and forth she goes, in one sentence telling how the Cubans are oppressed, in the next telling how they are resourceful and able to make do with the very little they have, how they see no hope, then that they see the light at the end of the tunnel. What she relates is so generalized that one could easily substitute the name of any oppressed group of people for "Cuba" and be telling their story with equal (in)articulation. Especially irritating is the fact that she mentions numerous individuals, and whether a revered patriot or her kindly next-door neighbor, she describes each in terms as mundane and pointless as skin tone and intelligence level, attributes some blasé word or phrase to him or her meant to be clever or all-knowing, then rarely mentions that person again. Worse, her final statement about that person is often something to the effect of, "I'm not sure whatever became of him." Referring again to the book's generalities, most readers will already know that the Cubans are an oppressed people; that they live in a police state that (like every police state) follows their every move and metes out punishment to those who do not toe the line; that they (like all oppressed peoples) are conflicted by a love for their homeland and the idea of chucking it all for another place and a better existence. Again, in my estimation these are commonsensical, everyday notions. It is not necessary to have lived in Cuba to understand them. And although there has to be a wealth of knowledge available from someone who has lived there, it is to be found in some other book. This one does nothing to impart the Cubans' unique plight, and after reading it, the reader will know little more about Cuba than he or she probably already does.
Rating: 
Summary: AN OPPORTUNITY MISSED
Review: Following on an intensive two-week coach tour of Cuba, I was looking for a book to give me more information about the life of ordinary people than I had already obtained by taking every opportunity to leave my hotel and walk the streets. This need was not really met. There are certainly chapters in the early part of the book which give some insight into life in the home, the school, the hospital, the field, the factory the public square, and the ice cream park. But this goes no further than the intelligent tourist can observe, and in some areas not as far. However, the author does convey extremely well the resiliance and good humour with which Cubans bear their economic adversity, and the wit with which they joke about both their economic and political situation. Thus it is a pity that such a readable author did not devote more of the book to more depth about real life. One wonders whether the book was more of an afterthought back in the USA, rather than careful research in Cuba? In the first chapter is the statement 'the regime blames all of Cuba's economic ills on the embargo, even though most are the result of socialist mismanagement'. Similar judgements appear throughout the book without substantiation. There are so many political commentaries on Cuba, it is a pity that the temptation was not avoided on this occasion.
Rating:
Summary: Bordering on propaganda - not a good factual read
Review: Having read portions of this book while on a recent visit to Havana, I was a bit disappointed by the difference between Moses' words and my own daily experience. This may be a helpful book to read for anyone looking for a general sense of Cuban culture, but it can't be read as an accurate documentation of Cuban reality, and Moses' perspective and motivations must be kept in mind at all times. For all of her denouncing of the Cuban "party line," Moses doesn't stray far from the U.S. government's policy, which is to be expected - she worked at the U.S. Interests Section during 1995 and 1996. One thing worth remembering of that period compared to the current day is that the Cuban economic situation has somewhat improved since Moses' experience - though the "Special Period" instituted at the fall of the U.S.S.R. has not officially ended, the worst has passed for the moment. Of course, there's no denying that Cuba is economically depressed, and extremely so - but Moses' portrayal of Cuban life is a bit exaggerated for Cuba in 2001. Moses may favor ending the embargo, but only as a means of encouraging free exchange of U.S. anti-Castro publications and the market-dominating manufactured goods of consumerism. She consistently downplays the severe economic effects of the U.S. embargo (rightly called a "blockade" by Cubans - it's more international than bilateral), instead blaming the ever-popular failure of socialism. She should notice that this "failure" has produced systems of health care and education that the U.S. has yet failed to imitate. Never does she acknowledge that perhaps the U.S. could learn something from Cuba, only seeing the great wisdoms of capitalism that tourists and U.S. propaganda might distribute. To be sure, Moses' perspective of Cuban life is not fully wrong, nor direct U.S. propaganda - but just because she has the freedom to separate her opinion from U.S. policy doesn't mean she does. She's right that the Castro regime is fundamentally flawed and denies many liberties, but she would do well to put these elements of Cuban life into perspective - instances of the U.S. government cracking down on dissent and violating human rights may be less publicized, but no less significant. While Moses certainly learned a great deal in her time in Cuba and tells her experience honestly, she never fully escapes the paternalistic condescension so common to U.S. "Imperialists." Perhaps an accompanying "Real Life in Bush's United States" would put some perspective on this book, but failing that, a reader would do well to find a more genuinely Cuban perspective - my tourism guide was more balanced than this, and even Cuban government propaganda would make a decent counter-point to Moses' limited thinking. Do not expect an objective opinion from an agent of the "Empire," and you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Bordering on propaganda - not a good factual read
Review: Having read portions of this book while on a recent visit to Havana, I was a bit disappointed by the difference between Moses' words and my own daily experience. This may be a helpful book to read for anyone looking for a general sense of Cuban culture, but it can't be read as an accurate documentation of Cuban reality, and Moses' perspective and motivations must be kept in mind at all times. For all of her denouncing of the Cuban "party line," Moses doesn't stray far from the U.S. government's policy, which is to be expected - she worked at the U.S. Interests Section during 1995 and 1996. One thing worth remembering of that period compared to the current day is that the Cuban economic situation has somewhat improved since Moses' experience - though the "Special Period" instituted at the fall of the U.S.S.R. has not officially ended, the worst has passed for the moment. Of course, there's no denying that Cuba is economically depressed, and extremely so - but Moses' portrayal of Cuban life is a bit exaggerated for Cuba in 2001. Moses may favor ending the embargo, but only as a means of encouraging free exchange of U.S. anti-Castro publications and the market-dominating manufactured goods of consumerism. She consistently downplays the severe economic effects of the U.S. embargo (rightly called a "blockade" by Cubans - it's more international than bilateral), instead blaming the ever-popular failure of socialism. She should notice that this "failure" has produced systems of health care and education that the U.S. has yet failed to imitate. Never does she acknowledge that perhaps the U.S. could learn something from Cuba, only seeing the great wisdoms of capitalism that tourists and U.S. propaganda might distribute. To be sure, Moses' perspective of Cuban life is not fully wrong, nor direct U.S. propaganda - but just because she has the freedom to separate her opinion from U.S. policy doesn't mean she does. She's right that the Castro regime is fundamentally flawed and denies many liberties, but she would do well to put these elements of Cuban life into perspective - instances of the U.S. government cracking down on dissent and violating human rights may be less publicized, but no less significant. While Moses certainly learned a great deal in her time in Cuba and tells her experience honestly, she never fully escapes the paternalistic condescension so common to U.S. "Imperialists." Perhaps an accompanying "Real Life in Bush's United States" would put some perspective on this book, but failing that, a reader would do well to find a more genuinely Cuban perspective - my tourism guide was more balanced than this, and even Cuban government propaganda would make a decent counter-point to Moses' limited thinking. Do not expect an objective opinion from an agent of the "Empire," and you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Ms Abbey's review misses the point
Review: Reading the long-time review-of-the-day by Ms. Abbey, I find myself wondering if she read the same book I did. In each instance, her criticism is diametrically opposed to my perception of the book's intent and content. I did not see Ms. Moses showing "naïve judgment of the successes of the revolution." Rather, I read a deeply personal description of "los Cubanos." This is not a political work. Ms. Moses has chosen to not condemn governments, but to depict with crystal clarity the day-to-day struggles faced by those who would continue to live in Cuba. I certainly did not find her comparisons between life in Cuba and in the USA chauvinistic. Furthermore, I consider Ms. Abbey's suggestion of comparing Cuba to other Caribbean or Latin American countries intellectual snobbery. If one is trying to bring home to a lay readership the realities of Cuban life, one doesn't compare it to an equally foreign standard. For example, if I want to convey to American readers how much an item costs a German, I convert the price to US currency, not that of neighboring EU-mate Austria. This is not an example of American economic egocentrism. It is merely ensuring that the reader understands the writer. Ms. Moses compares Cuba to America because that is the standard Americans know. Regarding the embargo, again I do not believe Ms. Moses discounted its impact. She did not blame the deprivation of Cubans on the embargo, but neither did she blame it on Cuban governmental mismanagement. She described conditions with a minimum of editorializing, either pro- or anti-Castro. (While I can only speculate, rather than a defense of US policy, I read opposition to the embargo "between the lines" of her writing.) I was not surprised by her reaction to the Cuban government's treatment of gifts of books and printed materials from the US Interests Section. Once I recognized the obvious affection Ms. Moses holds for Cubans (which Ms. Abbey acknowledges), I saw hurt in her reaction to their rejection. Whether Ms. Moses is old enough to remember Red Scare days is not important since her reaction is not revulsion to a political ideology. It is the hurt felt by a friend when a gift is rejected. Yes, that may be a trifle naïve given her official position, but it is nonetheless admirable. Would that all US diplomats felt so toward their assigned countries. Ms. Abbey's review seems to come from a belief that a book on Cuba that fails to condemn US policy thereby defends it. Wrong! Ms. Moses' descriptions of the Cuban people transcend policy and politics. This is as it should be since the subjects of her description have no opportunity to affect either. They are "los olvidados" [the Forgotten Ones] and Ms. Moses has spoken eloquently on their behalf. What is this book NOT? It is not a travelogue, although the beauty of the island is described in detail. It is not a political screed against the Castro regime or US policy, although their grass-roots effects are the basis of the book. It is not a detailed analysis of the history of US-Cuban relations, even though the lingering connection between our two countries is described with sensitivity, almost suggesting a feeling of love lost. Finally, to use Ms. Abbey's phrase, It is certainly not a "myopic view of 'the world according to Uncle Sam.'" "Real Life in Castro's Cuba" is a well-written, deeply personal description of the Cuban people. I defy anyone to read Ms. Moses' account of meeting a Cuban army veteran wounded in the war in Angola and not be moved. The picture on the cover of the paperback edition captures the essence of the entire book. The children are next to a well-paved road, but three are sharing a horse with a blanket for a saddle and a rope for a bridle. The fourth girl is on a man's bike far too large for her, and they all lack shoes. Yet, they are smiling warmly. This book was definitely not written by a US State Department apologist, but by one who obviously has "el alma de una Cubana" [the soul of a Cuban].
Rating:
Summary: A fair first glance
Review: Some of the other reviewers for this book have forgotten that no book exists independently of its author's experience. Unless one has preconceived notions about how life in Cuba "should be" rather than how it is, the mere fact that Ms. Moses lived in Cuba as a U.S. government employee is neither to her credit nor her discredit. Much more significant is the fact that Ms. Moses provides a perspective few Americans are able to have. It is ridiculously cynical (and even sensational) to suggest that Ms. Moses is simply spouting a "party line" - certainly she hoped for more cogent, astute readers. It is much more reasonable to assume that her book is a reflection of her honest experience, rather than an homage to her "bias." It is worth noting that this book is a useful first glance, yet hardly sufficient pre-trip reading for anyone planning a trip to Cuba. As a university Spanish professor who leads student trips to Cuba on a fairly regular basis, I do recommend it to student participants as pre-trip reading, but balanced with some other types of analysis, such as Jane Franklin's "Cuba and the United States: A Chronological History," which is decidedly more "pro-Cuban" (sold freely in Cuba, incidentally). Only by taking a balanced approach to Cuban issues can anyone hope to unravel the intricacies of Cuban society and U.S.-Cuban relations. Does any one book give a complete and accurate picture? Of course not. Does Moses' book capture the honest experience of an American living in Havana at an interesting time in history? Most definitely.
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