Andres Cao Mendiguren (Havana, Cuba, 1931-) graduated from the University of Havana's School of Medicine. He worked at Calixto Garcia Hospital until 1960 when he resigned for political reasons and was later incarcerated, as a political prisoner, for 20 years. In the United States since 1979, he suffers from Retinitis Pigmentosa, an incurable decease that has left him blind. With the help of the Blind Division, he prepared and passed his medical bar exam in 1980. He was able to practice medicine until 1998 when he retired. He died in Miami. This book is an intelligent, objective and critical look at the history of the Cuban Republic. It looks at the accomplishments of this period that lasted from 1902-1958 and searches for answers as to why it failed and was replaced by a totalitarian regime that has lasted almost 50 years. The book is a result of research and long conversations with important figures that contributed to this period of Cuban history making it an important part of first hand oral history.