FIDEL: IN HIS OWN WORDS

Fidel Castro is one of the world’s most influential leaders, and perhaps its most enduring. Having ruled Cuba for almost 50 years, despite numerous attempts to remove him from power by the United States and others, Castro’s charismatic leadership has fascinated both liberals and conservatives for decades.

This book will offer a précis/timeline of his life and accomplishments, the people and places affected by his politics, interspersed with quotes from him during those years. Lessons will include: MEET YOUR ENEMIES WHEN THEY’RE AT THEIR WEAKEST – Fidel regularly met with foreign diplomats at 3 or 4 in the morning, when he was wide awake but they were tired, so he could gain advantage. PASSION IS POWER – Fidel faced many larger, wealthier enemies (including the U.S. government), but stood fast in his beliefs about what was best for Cuba and the world. He may have been crazy, but he won. EMOTION TRUMPS LOGIC – Castro kept the Cuban people enthralled (and prevented an uprising) by virtue of his passionate oration and committed sense of purpose, even when his decisions kept them living in poverty. BEND WHEN PRACTICAL – an athiest who viewed religion as backward and anti-capitalist, Fidel nonetheless invited the Pope to visit Cuba in 1998, which ultimately strengthened both the Church in Cuba and his government. The author is an experienced editor of numerous biographies of historical figures and celebrities, and has written dozens of books on famous people of all kinds, from Hollywood celebrities to notable public figures. Her work has been published by many major publishing houses, including Rizzoli, Barnes & Noble Publishing, Scholastic, and Macmillan.