Review

General Books

I would like to think that any literature on the subject of Cuba is a welcome addition to a field that is sorely lacking. The problem, however, is that so much of what is presented on Cuba is so shaped by politics that it loses its ability to serve as truth. That is not the case with Robert M. Levine's Secret Missions to Cuba. This work acts not merely as a breath of fresh air, but as oxygen in the struggle to bring life to serious and practical relations between the United States and Cuba. The political venom that has stood in the way of diplomacy has also affected our ability to develop a base of knowledge in the academic world, and it comes from both sides. In the minds of many Cubans, to negotiate with Washington is to succumb to imperialism, and to many Americans, to negotiate with Havana is to succumb to communism. In this work, Levine details one man's story which exemplifies this paradox. It is the story of Bernardo Benes, a Cuban-American lawyer who sacrificed much to improve the lives of people who were deeply affected by developments following Fidel Castro's revolution. In the process, he was ostracized by the Miami community, and often threatened by members of extremist anti-Castro organizations.	1
Benes arrived in the United States in November of 1960, securing a job in banking and immediately becoming involved in community activities. Combining pragmatism and idealism, he worked to see new Cuban arrivals participate in business and philanthropic organizations, refusing to allow anger to stand in the way of progress. By the 1970's Benes' track record as both idealist and pragmatist drew the attention of the Cuban government, which envisioned him playing a role in improving relations between the two countries. As a result, Benes became largely responsible for changes in policy that would allow Cuban and Cuban American family members to visit one another, and for Castro's agreement in 1978 to release some 3,600 political prisoners. These two accomplishments proved invaluable to individuals and to diplomatic relations in general. However, they did not come without a price. Benes was attacked repeatedly for working with Castro in the process, and in telling this story, Levine sheds some much needed light on the workings of the anti-Castro Miami community. In addition, Levine describes how Benes was at times embraced by Washington, and sometimes cast aside. The treatment of Benes and his work by Washington shifted with the various administrations. It was one policy under Jimmy Carter but different after the campaign and election of Ronald Regan. Cuban-American relations took on a new dimension under the Clinton administration, and the world's attention was drawn to Miami during the Elian Gonzalez affair, all of which Levine recognizes and addresses in his portrayal of Benes.	2
Levine demonstrates a keen understanding of the Benes story within the larger story, effectively placing it in the historical context of the revolution, mass exile, and establishment of a Cuban Miami continually resentful and actively opposed to Castro through the decades. In doing so, he presents a work that can easily be used in a number of courses. It would serve best in upper level courses in U.S./Latin American relations or political history, but it might even be used in more general U.S. history or immigration courses. Once into the book, students will find it a fascinating story of clandestine operations and intrigue, one they won't see in many other history books.	3
Purdue University Calumet Kathleen A. Tobin

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