Description - Lies and to the wall I was a kid in and out of Cuba during late 1950s, but what does a kid know? I remember the passionate revolutionary fervor of exiles in southeast Florida where my family lived, and the spirit of revolt on the island, but what was actually going on, nobody knew. It was a period of unbelievable intrigue, misinformation, and misunderstanding. There were plots within plots. It was violent, that's civil war. It began in March of 1952, when Fulgencio Batista deposed the elected President of Cuba, Carlos Prio, in a military takeover. The United States recognized his government in under two weeks. Batista was good for business. He was also increasingly corrupt and not about to loosen his grip on lucrative power. Within two years his opponents became frustrated and revolutionary movements began to form, even as the economy grew ever more prosperous. Fidel Castro's movement was only one of over forty, and others did most of the fighting, but he had the best PR and the support of the CIA who were playing both sides, in a game of ruthless betrayal. In a six year revolution, the lives both Cubans and Americans were thrown into chaos. Afterward, when it was time to sort out who would hold power, it became knife in the back time. Through it all Castro was a ruthless chess master, particularly when it came to seizing power. Castro's, Movement 26th of July, was only one of over 40, but he destroyed his allies one by one, and took it all. Fidel hoodwinked the CIA and his fellow revolutionary's, and stole the revolution. The eighth most prosperous economy in the world was destroyed, and the possessions of every Cuban became the property of the state. A large percentage of the islands population was imprisoned, executed or exiled. "To the Wall" means, to the firing squad. A fate shared by thousands on both sides. This novel depicts the story of classes of the Cuban society, and the politicians, the Mafia, the CIA, Floridians with family and business connection and how they all interacted. War, romance, adventure and tragedy, "Lies and the Wall," fifth book of the Hurricane Road series, takes the family of characters of the on a trip through Florida, and revolutionary Cuba, like no other novel. Check out names, places, and events --- You will find most of it is spot on. It is a novel though --- Who can say what people actually said, or thought? I will promise this. If you want to get a feel for the time, and understand what happened, where it was going and how we got where we are, read 20 history books, or read "Lies and to the Wall" ( Mentira y Paredon ). When you finish reading the novel you should understand it as well as anyone possibly could by reading a novel, and you will have enjoyed yourself in the process. It is one complicated period of time, and exciting, "Like the read "