Intimations of Modernity

“Pérez has made a significant contribution with this work, as he uncovers not just a differentiation of Cuban identity from its Spanish roots but the much-broader palate from which Cubans of all races and classes drew in creating a new multivalent cosmopolitan and, in nineteenth-century terms, globalized identity.”—Hispanic American Historical Review

“Building on decades of archival research and historical expertise, preeminent Cuban historian Pérez fundamentally transforms how scholars think about Cuba’s last century under Spanish colonial rule. Highly recommended.”—CHOICE

“Revealing the ubiquitous change that flowed throughout nineteenth-century Cuba as a result of sugar’s connection to the global capitalism of the time, renowned historian Louis A. Pérez Jr. has written a lively and insightful study of Cuba’s transition to modernity. Intimations of Modernity will appeal to a broad interdisciplinary readership in Cuban, Caribbean, and Latin American studies, as well as in women’s studies.”—Adriana Méndez-Rodenas, University of Iowa

“With Intimations of Modernity, Louis A. Pérez Jr. makes a major contribution to the history of Cuba as well as to the understanding of modernization and social change in the Caribbean. Pérez’s original approach is highlighted by a sophisticated and extremely insightful discussion of the introduction of the handheld folding fan to illustrate the broad-based changes across Cuban society throughout the long nineteenth century.”—Franklin W. Knight, The Johns Hopkins University