As spiritual home of Che Guevara and archenemy of the United States for more than forty years, Cuba exerts a powerful hold over people's imaginations. This book is the first in-depth study of Cuba to examine its history and transformation through the evolution of ideology and myth.Challenging preconceptions and conventional wisdom about Cuba and its leadership, this book presents a remarkable portrait of the distinctive history of the island's culture. The interplay of history, revolutionary action, and ideology through myth and collective experience make it essential reading for Cuban scholars. Latin American and US historians, political analysts, and those generally interested in the history and future of Cuban political culture.