Why read Revolution within the Revolution?

Book cover of Revolution within the Revolution: Women and Gender Politics in Cuba, 1952-1962

Book description

A handful of celebrated photographs show armed, fatigues-clad female Cuban insurgents alongside their companeros in Cuba's remote mountains during the revolutionary struggle. However, the story of women's part in the struggle's success only now receives comprehensive consideration in Michelle Chase's history of women and gender politics in revolutionary Cuba. Restoring…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Revolution within the Revolution as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Rachel Hynson

Author

Chase illuminates for readers the central role played by women in the Revolution, from the urban insurrection and political activism of the 1950s to mobilization for women’s rights in the early 1960s. This book rejects assertations made by leaders, such as Fidel Castro, that men initiated women into activism and that the Revolution rescued women from oppression. The book instead emphasizes how women organized to make public demands and even sometimes convinced reticent leadership to accede to their proposals. Most exciting to me is the final chapter on dueling efforts to fortify the family, as Chase demonstrates how revolutionary supporters…

From Rachel's list on The best books that defy the tired narrative of early revolutionary Cuba.