The book was published in both English and Spanish on the 40th anniversary of revolutionary Cuba's crushing defeat of the April 17-19, 1961, U.S.-organized invasion by 1,500 Cuban-born counterrevolutionaries at the Bay of Pigs on the island's southern coast. It was presented at a joint Cuba-U.S. conference, "Girón: 40 Years Later," held in Havana last March, and conference organizers gave copies to all participants in that event. Fernández, who commanded the main column of the victorious Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) at Playa Girón, was the chair of the conference's organizing committee.

Also on the platform at the meeting was Div. Gen. Samuel Rodiles, a member of the general staff of the FAR. In April 1961 Rodiles was second in command of the Revolutionary National Police and of the police battalion that fought in the Bay of Pigs battle.

Iraida Aguirrechu, who organized editorial collaboration on the book in Cuba, introduced the speakers and Gen. Rodiles at the event, which drew 60 people. She highlighted the contents of the book, which contains major excerpts of speeches given immediately before and after the Bay of Pigs battle by commander-in-chief Fidel Castro.

It also features the testimony given by Fernández in 1999 before a Havana court during a hearing on a suit by Cuba's mass organizations demanding that Washington pay damages for the consequences of its four-decade-long campaign to overthrow the Cuban Revolution. Aguirrechu also drew attention to the "more than 70 beautiful photos, maps, and charts that make the book very accessible to the reader."

Among those attending the meeting were brigadier generals Rafael Moracén Limonta, Gustavo Chui Beltrán, who were also representing the Association of Combatants of the Cuban Revolution, Pedro Franco Hidalgo, Rogelio Milián, and José Alberto Morfa; Col. Alberto Fernández, one of the ace combat pilots at Playa Girón; Col. Juan Carlos Rodríguez, author of The Inevitable Battle and director of the Capitán San Luis publishing house; Col. Raúl Izquierdo Canosa, president of the Cuban History Institute and of the Association of Cuban Historians; and numerous other combatants from Playa Girón or other revolutionary battles.

Among those singled out for a special welcome by Fernández was Carlos Lechuga, who as Cuba's ambassador to the United Nations denounced Washington's role in the mercenary invasion as it was unfolding.

At the conclusion of the event, dozens crowded around the sales area to purchase copies of the book and then lined up to have them autographed by Fernández and Rodiles.
 

Militant readers are encouraged to contribute to the Books for Cuba Fund, which helps make it possible for Pathfinder books to reach working people and youth in Cuba.

Like their brothers and sisters around the world, Cuban working people find the titles published by Pathfinder to be effective revolutionary political weapons, including in the defense of the Cuban Revolution.

Through the fund, Pathfinder is able to send books and pamphlets to Cuban organizations and institutions that request them. During book fairs, the titles are made available to Cubans in pesos, at prices they can afford.

Among other initiatives, the fund also makes it possible to respond to the political interest in the books in Cuba with special donations to libraries and other cultural institutions.

Contributions, large or small, are welcome. Please send checks or money orders made out to the Militant and earmarked "Books for Cuba Fund" to the Militant, 410 West Street, New York, NY 10014.
 
 
Related articles:
'They fear ideas, they fear Cuba's example'
'Truths that must be told today'  
 
 
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