Ziff, John

By the time he stepped down as Cuba s president in 2008, Fidel Castro had been in power for half a century. During that time, for good or as his many critics insist for ill, Castro had completely transformed the country. Following the model of communism, he d brought Cuba s economy under the complete control of the state. Businesses were nationalized and private property eliminated. Citizens were prohibited from leaving the country without the government s permission. Castro also earned the enmity of the United States, which imposed a crippling trade embargo and worked to isolate Cuba diplomatically. The years since Castro s departure have seen significant changes. Cuban citizens are now permitted to own certain small businesses, and to buy and sell real estate. Cubans may now travel abroad. And in 2015, Cuba and the United States restored full diplomatic relations, which had been severed in 1961. Where will these and other recent changes lead? What s in store for the island nation and its people? What might the future hold for U.S.-Cuba relations? This book explores those questions. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in history, a speech, or an instructional video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

To truly understand a nation, one must know a bit about that nation s art. What kind of subjects do its leading novelists write about? Which themes preoccupy its major poets? Who are the most popular painters and sculptors, and what do their works depict? This book examines the major currents in Cuban art and literature, from colonial times to the present. The book also tells the stories of some of the country s most respected creative talents. These include the poet and patriot Jos Mart , who is beloved as the Apostle of Cuban Independence ; the novelist Alejo Carpentier, a major figure in Latin America s 20th-century literary boom ; the painter Amelia Pel ez del Casal, a leader of Cuba s avant-garde art movement; and Rita Longa, whose iconic sculptures adorn the capital city of Havana. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in history, a speech, or an instructional video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

For Cubans, it seems, music and dance are only slightly less essential to life than breathing and eating. On the Caribbean island, no one needs an excuse to dance to the rich and varied rhythms of Cuban music. This book traces the development of Cuban popular music and dance styles. It chronicles how the meeting and melding of different cultural traditions on the island particularly Spanish and West African created a distinctive new music called son. In turn, son would be the foundation for a host of other dance-music genres that developed in Cuba. And, as the book shows, Cuban music and dance have had a significant influence beyond the island s shores. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in history, a speech, or an instructional video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

To truly understand a nation, one must know a bit about that nation s art. What kind or subjects do its leading novelists write about? Which themes preoccupy its major poets? Who are the most popular painters and sculptors, and what do their works depict? This book examines the major currents in Cuban art and literature, from colonial times to the present. The book also tells the stories of some of the country s most respected creative talents. These include the poet and patriot Jos Mart , who is beloved as the Apostle of Cuban Independence ; the novelist Alejo Carpentier, a major figure in Latin America s 20th-century literary boom ; the painter Amelia Pel ez del Casal, a leader of Cuba s avant-garde art movement; and Rita Longa, whose iconic sculptures adorn the capital city of Havana. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in history, a speech, or an instructional video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

The United States Senate long enjoyed a reputation for high-minded debate and legislative achievement but the broader trend toward political polarization threatens its reputation.

Looks at Cuba under the control of Fidel Castro.

Examines the events that led up to the Korean War, discussing the political and military strategies that the American, UN, North Korean, and Chinese forces employed, and provides information about key people, battles, and events.

Examines the events that led up to the Cold War, discussing the political and military strategies that the world's two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, employed, and provides information about key people, battles, and events.

Examines the events that led up to World War I, discussing the political and military strategies that the Allies and the Central Powers employed, and provides information about key people, battles, and events.