"The book is clearly structured. This is a very thorough study of how the Cuban political establishment perceived "youth," and the role of young people in the forging of a new society. Luke successfully explains the details of the policies pursued and their ideological underpinnings." -- New West Indian Guide "Against the backdrop of the global sixties and Third World struggle, Anne Luke regales us with a meticulously researched and sophisticatedly argued study of the contested social construction of Cuban youth. Her nuanced approach takes us from ideal-type discourse, instruction, and work; to cultural, racial, and sexual politics forging a new conciencia and problems besetting youth organizations, literary publications, and musical genres; to controversial policies induced by moral panic in the face of youth deviance, as well as alter- and counterculture. Nor does she shy away from the lessons the sixties hold for understanding contemporary Cuba. A must read." --Jean Stubbs, University of London "With Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, the Cuban Revolution provided some of the most iconic figureheads for rebellious youth in the Global Sixties.

In this compelling and insightful book, Anne Luke explores the mutually dependent relationship between youth and the Revolution in Cuba. For it was youth that had made the Revolution, but the Revolution also shaped a generation of youth. Skillfully, Luke guides us through the various layers that created youth in a revolutionary era: from discourse to ideology and policy, from political mobilization and participation in building a new world to the realm of cultural expression. While Luke's main focus is on Cuban youth during the sixties, the book also helps us to understand why the Revolution has survived until this day." --Tom Junes, Centre for Advanced Study Sofia "When we are repeatedly being told that Cuban youth are alienated from their elders' and leaders' anachronistic ideas, this book arrives as a breath of fresh air. Because Anne Luke's picture--painted with great depth, sensitivity, rigor, and insight--shows us that this may well be nothing new, and that even in the 'heady' 1960s (when Cuba attracted admiration from the 'youth revolt' elsewhere) young Cubans and the new Revolution's leaders and activists were often at odds, in ways remarkably similar to today. It is a picture that captures beautifully the essence of 'the sixties' in Cuba, mixing unorthodox revolution and youth rebelliousness." --Antoni Kapcia, University of Nottingham.