"Hal Klepak's most recent book is an excellent primer for understanding Cuba in the last five years. It is obviously a helpful study of the character of President Raul Castro, and by extension, of the extremely important role of the armed forces (which he commands) in Cuba, but it also helps to explain the fundamental dynamics in place since Fidel Castro ceded power to his brother in 2006. During this time, Cuba has changed more than in the past quarter-century, and it continues to do so. Absolutely essential reading for anybody interested in the approach implemented by the Cuban government in recent years." - John Kirk, Dalhousie University, Canada