About the book
For much of the nineteenth century and all of the twentieth, the per capita rate of suicide in Cuba was the highest in Latin America and among the highest in the world — a condition made all the more extraordinary in light of Cuba’s historic ties to the Catholic church. In this richly illustrated social and cultural history of suicide in Cuba, Louis A. Pérez Jr. explores the way suicide passed from the unthinkable to the unremarkable in Cuban society.
In a study that spans the experiences of enslaved Africans and indentured Chinese in the colony, nationalists of the twentieth-century republic, and emigrants from Cuba to Florida following the 1959 revolution, Pérez finds that the act of suicide was loaded with meanings that changed over time. Analyzing the social context of suicide, he argues that in addition to confirming despair, suicide sometimes served as a way to consecrate patriotism, affirm personal agency, or protest injustice. The act was often seen by suicidal persons and their contemporaries as an entirely reasonable response to circumstances of affliction, whether economic, political, or social.
Bringing an important historical perspective to the study of suicide, Pérez offers a valuable new understanding of the strategies with which vast numbers of people made their way through life — if only to choose to end it. To Die in Cuba ultimately tells as much about Cubans' lives, culture, and society as it does about their self-inflicted deaths.
Editions of To Die in Cuba
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807829370
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807858165
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469608747
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890875068
Read an Excerpt
For much of the nineteenth century and all of the twentieth, the per capita rate of suicide in Cuba was the highest in Latin America and among the highest in the world — a condition made all the more extraordinary in light of Cuba’s historic ties to the Catholic church. In this richly illustrated social and cultural history of suicide in Cuba, Louis A. Pérez Jr. explores the way suicide passed from the unthinkable to the unremarkable in Cuban society.
In a study that spans the experiences of enslaved Africans and indentured Chinese in the colony, nationalists of the twentieth-century republic, and emigrants from Cuba to Florida following the 1959 revolution, Pérez finds that the act of suicide was loaded with meanings that changed over time. Analyzing the social context of suicide, he argues that in addition to confirming despair, suicide sometimes served as a way to consecrate patriotism, affirm personal agency, or protest injustice. The act was often seen by suicidal persons and their contemporaries as an entirely reasonable response to circumstances of affliction, whether economic, political, or social.
Bringing an important historical perspective to the study of suicide, Pérez offers a valuable new understanding of the strategies with which vast numbers of people made their way through life — if only to choose to end it. To Die in Cuba ultimately tells as much about Cubans' lives, culture, and society as it does about their self-inflicted deaths.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is To Die in Cuba about?
For much of the nineteenth century and all of the twentieth, the per capita rate of suicide in Cuba was the highest in Latin America and among the highest in the world — a condition made all the more extraordinary in light of Cuba’s historic ties to the Catholic church. In this richly illustrated social and cultural history of suicide in Cuba, Louis A. Pérez Jr. explores the way suicide passed from the unthinkable to the unremarkable in Cuban society.
In a study that spans the experiences of enslaved Africans and indentured Chinese in the colony, nationalists of the twentieth-century republic, and emigrants from Cuba to Florida following the 1959 revolution, Pérez finds that the act of suicide was loaded with meanings that changed over time. Analyzing the social context of suicide, he argues that in addition to confirming despair, suicide sometimes served as a way to consecrate patriotism, affirm personal agency, or protest injustice. The act was often seen by suicidal persons and their contemporaries as an entirely reasonable response to circumstances of affliction, whether economic, political, or social.
Bringing an important historical perspective to the study of suicide, Pérez offers a valuable new understanding of the strategies with which vast numbers of people made their way through life — if only to choose to end it. To Die in Cuba ultimately tells as much about Cubans' lives, culture, and society as it does about their self-inflicted deaths.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in To Die in Cuba?
Society and Social Sciences > Psychology
Where can I read a sample of To Die in Cuba?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807829370
How long is To Die in Cuba and how many pages does it have?
To Die in Cuba has 480 page(s)
Is To Die in Cuba part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series H. Eugene and Lillian Youngs Lehman Series
Who is/are the Author/s of the book To Die in Cuba?
Louis A. Pérez
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
To Die in Cuba is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807829370) and paperback(ISBN 9780807858165) and ebook(ISBN 9781469608747) and pdf(ISBN 9798890875068)
Where can I buy To Die in Cuba online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy To Die in Cuba from below
Where can I buy To Die in Cuba?