Havana beyond the Ruins: Cultural Mappings after 1989

“[E]specially timely…. These essays by architects, historians, cultural critics, sociologists, photographers, and writers from the island and beyond yield a variety of perspectives, reflecting competing visions for Havana’s present and future.” – Rachel Price, Literature and Arts of the Americas

“All in all, this book should be considered an exploratory account that will hopefully incite more anthropologists to investigate the current transformations of Havana, arguably the Latin American capital of the 20th century.” – MARIAN VIOREL ANASTASOAIE, Social Anthropology

“A superb collection of provocative, wide-ranging essays on what used to be, and soon will be again, America’s favorite foreign city. The distinguished contributors—the Havana All-Stars—explore the body and soul of the Cuban capital with passion and insight.”—Gustavo Pérez Firmat, author of The Havana Habit

“An eloquent, urgent, and riveting account of Havana today and where it might be tomorrow. This anthology brings together an incredible range of thoughtful observers, all of whom adore this gorgeous tropical metropolis, ravished by the sea and by history. Congratulations to Anke Birkenmaier and Esther Whitfield for the gift of this book, which is certain to become a classic.”—Ruth Behar, author of An Island Called Home: Returning to Jewish Cuba

“[An] interesting addition to work on the city of Havana.” — Guy Baron ― Bulletin of Spanish Studies

“[E]specially timely…. These essays by architects, historians, cultural critics, sociologists, photographers, and writers from the island and beyond yield a variety of perspectives, reflecting competing visions for Havana’s present and future.” — Rachel Price ― Literature and Arts of the Americas