Reprinted from http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2009/octubre/mier7/Reflections-6OCT.html:

Reflections of Fidel
History cannot be ignored

(Taken from CubaDebate)

THE 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China was commemorated this past October 1.

On that historic day in 1949, Mao Zedong, as leader of the Communist Party of China, presided over the first parade of the People’s Army and the people of China in Tiananmen Square. The victorious soldiers bore the arms seized in combat from invaders, oligarchies and traitors to their homeland.

Reprinted from the Cuba Solidarity website:

Fidel Castro's 'My Life: A Spoken Autobiography' Released

by Steve Eckardt
16 January 2008

The book variously known as '100 Hours with Fidel' or 'Fidel Castro: Biografía a dos voces' is now out in English in the United States. Re-titled "My Life: A Spoken Autobiograpy," it's actually a much more up-to-date new edition based on many additional hours of editing (and new material) by Fidel undertaken during his initial convalescence from his July 2006 medicial crisis –essentially the project that he devoted himself to (with characteristic intensity) following his stepping down from his official positions.

The entire volume runs 724 pages, is extensively footnoted, and includes photos and a highly detailed chronology of both Fidel's life and world political events (31 small-type pages beginning in August 1928 and ending in July 2007). The interviewer is Ignacio Ramonet, editor of Le Monde Diplomatique.

Sweeping in its scope, the author [Fidel Castro] reportedly labored extensively to achieve political clarity and historical accuracy –editing and re-editing the text, and consulting with other actors in the events described.

In short, this is a seminal work which deserves the widest possible circulation –purchases both by individuals and libraries, adoption by book clubs, reviews in whatever media that might be available to you, and gifting/lending to friends, relatives, or contacts.

Though it carries a list price of $40, it is available from Amazon for $26.40. If you click here to purchase Fidel Castro: My Life: A Spoken Autobiography, the National Network on Cuba will receive a small percentage from Amazon at zero additional cost to you.

Fidel Castro: My Life: A Spoken Autobiography
by Fidel Castro and Ignacio Ramonet
Published by Scribner, official date February 2008
ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-5328-1

From the New York Times:

Batista and Regime Flee Cuba; Castro Moving to Take Power; Mobs Riot and Loot in Havana

ARMY HALTS FIRE Rebels Seize Santiago and Santa Clara-- March on Capital

By R. HART PHILLIPS

Havana, Friday, Jan. 2 -- Fulgencio Batista resigned as President of rebellion-torn Cuba yesterday and fled to exile in the Dominican Republic. The rebel forces of Fidel Castro moved swiftly to seize power throughout the island.

Dr. Manuel Urrutia, Senor Castro's own choice, appeared likely early this morning to become the provisional President. Col. Ramon Barquin, who had been imprisoned for conspiring against the Batista Government, was brought here by military plane from the Isle Pines penitentiary and named chief of the joint staffs.

Colonel Barquin immediately sent out a call to Senor Castro to come to the capital with Dr. Urrutia and set up a new Government. The rebel leader and his forces had entered Santiago de Cuba late yesterday and had taken over the Moncado army post without firing a shot. About 5,000 soldiers here surrendered. Click here to continue reading...