“An engagingly written book that offers new insights into the war. . . .This thought provoking book should be on many bookshelves.” — The Past in Review
“Tone’s cogent and elegantly written book does not turn patriotic history on its head, but it does dismember the subject. . . . John Tone portrays Cuba as Spain’s Vietnam, and his skill at narrating the frightening realities of these 'unconventional' guerilla wars makes it hard to avoid reflecting on tragic events in the world today.” — Times Literary Supplement
“A nuanced perspective. . . . Tone writes well and his work will be accessible to experts and undergraduates alike. . . . A valuable addition to both Cuban and Spanish history and its publication is yet another indication of the high quality of scholarship that has emerged in recent years.” — American Historical Review
“This pathbreaking military history sheds new light on Spanish America’s last colonial war and the multitudes that died on its 'ever faithful isle.' . . . Entwines vivid retellings of military engagements with nuanced analyses of the varying motives and strategies of the war’s leaders. . . . An engaging study with broad appeal for Cuban, Spanish, and U.S. historians.” — HAHR
“Adds enormously to our understanding of the political, social and military dimensions of this war and is essential reading for anyone interested in the island’s history, the early story of U.S. imperialism in the Caribbean, or Latin American military history.” — Caribbean Studies
“Masterful account . . . fascinating and captivating. . . . A must read . . . for anyone who is concerned with current global conflicts and the human rights of noncombatants. . . . Tone does an excellent job of presenting the viewpoint of both the Cubans and the Spanish fairly.” — H-Net
“An outstanding work. . . . Extremely well researched. . . . A fine study that will stimulate considerable scholarly debate.” — History
“Makes interesting reading and will stir academic debate and inspire further research.” — Register of the Kentucky Historical Society
“Skillful research leads to revisions of past interpretations. . . . [A] comprehensive inquiry. . . . Deserves considerable attention.” — The Journal of Military History
“A highly accessible, explicitly revisionist narrative. . . . Told with verve and pathos. . . . Engagingly written, humane and judicious in its appraisals of a complex and contested history. It deserves to be widely read and its implications debated.” — Cuban Review
