Cuba is a rare and fascinating place. In a world where revolutionary socialism seems an almost quaint reminder of the Cold War, the island remains one of the few nations on the planet guided by a Communist party, still committed to fighting imperialism, opposed to the injustices of globalization and wedded to the dream of one day building a classless society, albeit in a distant future. But Cuba is more than a struggling socialist country: it is a nation with a complex and turbulent history and a rich and varied culture. This book is neither simply a timeline narrative of Cuban history nor a traditional history of Cuban culture. Instead, it invites the reader to enter Cuban history from the perspective of the island's uniquely creative cultural forms. As it does so, it traces that restless island as it ebbs and flows with the power, beauty and longings of its culture and history. All those who have visited this captivating place, or been inspired by its history and culture, should read this fascinating account.