Portraits of Cuba - by Daniel Duncan & Marcela Vásquez-León & Dereka Rushbrook (Hardcover)

About the Book

Through an abundance of dynamic photographs, this book captures daily life across Cuba, depicting the experiences of Cubans of different ages and walks of life who are navigating the challenges and changes transforming the island today.

Book Synopsis

Scenes from Havana to Santiago

Through an abundance of dynamic photographs, Portraits of Cuba depicts the experiences of Cubans of different ages and walks of life who are navigating the challenges and changes transforming the island today.

From the vintage colonial architecture and potholed streets of Havana to the farms and winding highways of the countryside, images by documentary photographer Daniel Duncan capture daily life across the nation. Expert commentary by Marcela Vásquez-León and Dereka Rushbrook describes the history of el bloqueo, the economic embargo imposed by the U.S. government in 1960. The book also features selections from interviews with Cubans who highlight how the island residents continue to invent, adapt, and persevere in the face of this and other complicated circumstances.

Duncan's photographs represent many aspects of the arts, religion, politics, public messaging, agriculture, and the economy in contemporary Cuba. Despite issues such as limited natural resources, dependence on imports, climate change and rising sea levels, and the departure of many of its young people, the island has emerged as an innovative player in addressing today's global problems. The authors note how the advances made by Cuba's sustainable farmers, scientists, medical teams, and literacy campaigns are models throughout the developing world.

Portraits of Cuba celebrates the ingenuity, solidarity, and deep-rooted resilience of the Cuban people, illustrating how they are creating their own form of democracy in the long shadow of the 1959 Cuban Revolution and the 60-year blockade.

Review Quotes

"This vibrant work explores everyday life in contemporary Cuba with photographs by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and photographer Duncan and insightful essays by University of Arizona professors Vasquez-Leon and Rushbrook. The contributors celebrate the vivacious Cuban culture ('After the triumph of the revolution, the leaders elevated artistic discipline, created an expression into the core values of the new Cuba, ' the authors note next to images of musicians playing on the streets and dancers performing in Cuba's national ballet), as well as the island's innovations in scientific fields ('Today, Cuba is recognized as one of the world's leaders in organic agriculture, ' the authors write alongside a series of photographs of farmland). Recognizing the distressing effects of the 1960 U.S. embargo, the authors don't shy from covering Cuba's poor road infrastructure and product scarcity ('Ration books are taken to the bodega to obtain a wide range of basic necessities, ' the caption reads next to a photo of a bodega). While the accessibly written entries are packed with information, some of the images lack captions that would provide readers with additional context. Nevertheless, those interested in Cuban culture, as well as armchair travelers, will find plenty to appreciate."--Publishers Weekly

"Duncan's photos take over the pages, and alongside the colorful visuals is an equally colorful narrative."--Miami New Times

About the Author

Daniel Duncan is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker who has produced more than 150 documentaries for PBS, including the series In the Americas with David Yetman and The Desert Speaks. Marcela Vásquez-León is associate professor of anthropology and director of the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Arizona. Dereka Rushbrook is associate professor of geography and director of the study abroad program Contemporary Cuba: Collective Visions at the University of Arizona.