Cuba--Going Back

Rating:
Summary: Truth, first hand
Review: An excellent behind the scenes look at Cuba today. No better example of a failed yet still forced socialist state. This is not some itellectual dissection of the situation but a "person on the street" documentary. Must read for those who take democracy and free enterprise for granted and for those who even think Cuba is better now than in pre-revolution time.
As a Cuban born US citizen I applaude this book.

Rating:
Summary: Truth, first hand
Review: An excellent behind the scenes look at Cuba today. No better example of a failed yet still forced socialist state. This is not some itellectual dissection of the situation but a "person on the street" documentary. Must read for those who take democracy and free enterprise for granted and for those who even think Cuba is better now than in pre-revolution time.
As a Cuban born US citizen I applaude this book.

Rating:
Summary: Tony Mendoza is great
Review: I must admit I am a student of Tony Mendoza at Ohio State, so I am a little biased, but I think he's wonderful in general-his unique perspective in photographs and ability to capture spirit is a true inarguable talent. His writing lets you see his true feelings as well.

Rating:
Summary: Wanting to Go Back
Review: Like Tony I am a cuban american who left Cuba in the early 60s for political freedom to study in the States. I came from a successful middle class family and a history of political successes and upheaval. I have always wanted to go back to re-live my youth in Havana, Tarara y Santa Maria del Mar (like Tony in Varadero) where I spent the happiest time of my youth. I have known of the misery of our people because I kept in touch, however Tony has been able to portray that misery in his wonderful black and white pictures. His writtings and dialogues are very easy to read but with a real message for everyone to understand. This is a great book for those who will like an honest and unbias portray of the cuban situation today. Tony has let these people speak out their feelings (pro and against) for the world to judge. I envy Tony for having the opportunity to return. His book has made me very sad because we are limited in our ability to help them. I cried for the younger generation unable to better themselves. Only the beauty of our land and sea remains untouched. Someday our people will be free again to make their choices and Cuba will be a wonderful place to visit. I promised myself to be in the first plane to help rebuild it.

Rating:
Summary: Born- Again Cuban
Review: The images captured by my born-again cuban cousin Tony Mendoza will endure.Through his magically sensitive photographic lens and engaging story telling prose. Those that do not know Cuba and read his book, will learn by sharing the daily rhythms of its people in the midst of their aimless sub-existence. Those that know, and particularly those that are cuban -american, may wish to prudently consider a box of tissue. I agree with the author. His father Miguel would have been proud of this book.

Rating:
Summary: Tony Mendoza's Cuba-Going Back
Review: The narrative flows smoothly from this consumate storyteller, both wise and candid, with a gimlet eye for the telling detail as well as vision for the panorama. He also has the ear to perceive and apprehend meaning and nuance, sound and music. The photography is so good that one would like to see the whole from which he culled this select offering. But above and beyond all of this he gives us a significant human experience, distinctly his own and yet meaningful for all.

Rating:
Summary: CUBA WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK AND SEE.
Review: This book is amazing! Tony came and spoke to a class I was in at Ohio State University before this book was published. His story of returning to Cuba is unforgetable. The photographs in this book really capture the feelings Mr. Mendoza had I felt. The ability he has to capture the feelings of the Cubans and his own feelings in this book were wonderful. I highly recogmend it.

Rating:
Summary: "Going Back" with Tony Mendoza
Review: This is a wonderful book--a visual and literary treat for all readers. The author returned to his native Cuba after a 30+ year absence, and the result is this fascinating book which perfectly balances photography, memoir, and political/social observation. I was previously familiar with Mendoza's acclaimed photography, which is stunning here, and happily discovered he's also a terrific writer. The text comprises a significant part of the book, and it could certainly stand on its own. Mendoza's voice is enormously engaging and appealing--he's astutely observant of small, telling details, and his stories are often hilarious, lusty, and always insightful. The country's complicated political situation is presented with remarkable restraint--he allows Castro to speak for himself, literally, with segments of his speeches interspersed throughout the narrative; fascinating even to readers with a passing knowledge of/interest in world politics. All in all the book triumphs the great spirit of the Cuban people--the author's included.

Rating:
Summary: "Going Back" with Tony Mendoza
Review: Tony Mendoza takes us on a three week Photojourney of Cuba today.A tour de force captured by his unique combination as Photo-Artist and Writer. As you flip through the pages of Cuba (Going Back) you will explore Cuba's countryside and will visit Havana's neighborhoods.Just as the images of Tony Mendoza's pictures speak volumes about the subject so to will he conjure a picture of what is Cuba today in his writing. You will find intresting his pictures of the Cuban people and also of the beautiful Cuban landscape. His interviews with acquaintances as well as strangers he meets on his journey will give you a feeling for what life must be like for some typical and not so typical Cubans.You will also enjoy the sense of humor that Cuban's retain in spite of their everyday dificulties. This is a book for Cubans and non-Cubans alike, a worthy addition to your home library.

Rating:
Summary: The People of Cuba Speak
Review: Tony Mendoza's journey through Cuba takes you into the world of the average Cuban. He does an excellent job of reflecting on his childhood memories of Cuba while combining present day Cuba. This book contains true actual feelings and impressions of Cuba instead of the naive happy-go lucky attitude expressed in most touristic journals typical of many other photographers.