The Cuban Revolution was one of the defining moments of the 20th century, reaching far beyond the shores of the tiny Caribbean island. This new Reader documents the past four decades of Cuban history and its tumultuous revolution. It presents a comprehensive overview of key events in Cuba, the revolution's impact in Latin America, Central America and Africa, and relations with the United States.

Introductory notes by the editor present the background and context of each document, article and speech included in this Reader, which is introduced with a reflective essay: "Cuba: Remnant of the Cold War or Herald of the Third Millennium?"

This Reader includes documents and commentaries on events from the early years of the revolution such as the land reform, the literacy campaign, the Bay of Pigs and the Missile Crisis and the declaration of socialism as well as Fidel Castro's various speeches at the United Nations, Cuba's involvement in Africa, the Pope's visit to the island in 1998, Cuba's relations with the Soviet Union and the 1990s economic crisis following the collapse of the socialist bloc.

Many of these materials are published in English for the first time, making this Reader an outstanding resource for both scholars and general readers.