Cuba: An American History
by Ada Ferrer
Why read it
This Pulitzer Prize-winning chronicle offers a masterclass in narrative history, unraveling more than five centuries of Cuban evolution while examining its deeply tangled, often fraught relationship with the United States. Rather than framing the island merely through Cold War clichés or geopolitical rivalry, it weaves together rigorous archival research and intimate personal connections to explore questions of race, imperialism, sovereignty, and migration.
Where to get it
To listen in the Netherlands, the English unabridged audiobook—expertly narrated by stage and screen actress Alma Cuervo, with an introduction by the author—is readily accessible on major streaming and digital retailers like Storytel, Nextory, Audible, Apple Books, and Google Play Audiobooks. Digital audio downloads and ebooks can also be checked out through the Dutch Online Library (onlinebibliotheek.nl via the OverDrive/Libby catalog with an English subscription). For physical copies in paperback or hardcover, look to national book chains such as bol.com, Libris.nl, and Donner, or English-focused shops like the American Book Center (ABC) and Waterstones in Amsterdam.
What to expect
Engaging, fluid, and remarkably accessible despite its scholarly weight, the book balances broad geopolitical sweeps with vivid individual portraits. The pace remains steady across five centuries, moving seamlessly from the pre-colonial era and Spanish rule through the revolution and modern day. Content notes: contains historical discussions of colonial violence, slavery, warfare, political repression, poverty, and state persecution.
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