Revolution within the Revolution

By Michelle Chase,

Book cover of Revolution within the Revolution: Women and Gender Politics in Cuba, 1952-1962

Book description

A handful of celebrated photographs show armed, fatigues-clad female Cuban insurgents alongside their companeros in Cuba's remote mountains during the revolutionary struggle. However, the story of women's part in the struggle's success only now receives comprehensive consideration in Michelle Chase's history of women and gender politics in revolutionary Cuba. Restoring…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Revolution within the Revolution as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Chase illuminates for readers the central role played by women in the Revolution, from the urban insurrection and political activism of the 1950s to mobilization for women’s rights in the early 1960s. This book rejects assertations made by leaders, such as Fidel Castro, that men initiated women into activism and that the Revolution rescued women from oppression. The book instead emphasizes how women organized to make public demands and even sometimes convinced reticent leadership to accede to their proposals. Most exciting to me is the final chapter on dueling efforts to fortify the family, as Chase demonstrates how revolutionary supporters…

Want books like Revolution within the Revolution?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Revolution within the Revolution.

Browse books like Revolution within the Revolution

Book cover of Visions of Power in Cuba: Revolution, Redemption, and Resistance, 1959-1971
Book cover of The Revolution Is for the Children: The Politics of Childhood in Havana and Miami, 1959-1962
Book cover of Antiracism in Cuba: The Unfinished Revolution

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,355

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in the Cuban Revolution, women's rights, and Cuba?

Women's Rights 68 books
Cuba 90 books