title: Back Channel to Cuba: The Hidden History of Negotiations between Washington and Havana
author:  William M. LeoGrande 
description: An exceedingly well-written and well-documented account. . . . Essential for libraries that support research into the political and diplomatic history of America foreign relations with Cuba in the latter half of the 20th century.--<i>Library Journal</i>, starred review<br><br><br /><br />Challenging the prevailing narrative of U.S.-Cuba relations, this book investigates the history of the secret, and often surprising, dialogue between Washington and Havana. The authors, who spent more than a decade examining classified files, provide a comprehensive account of negotiations beginning in 1959. . . . suggesting that the past holds lessons for future negotiators." --<i>The New Yorker</i><br><br><br /><br />LeoGrande and Kornbluh's exhaustive and masterful diplomatic history will stand as the most authoritative account of U.S.-Cuban diplomatic relations during the five decades of Cuban President Fidel Castro's rule.--<i>Foreign Affairs</i><br><br><br /><br />A fascinating and thorough intellectual introduction to the [December 2014 Obama-Castro] accords. . . . The book makes it clear that, during the long period of the Cuban&ndash;Soviet alliance, an agreement was practically impossible, though the history of attempts reads like a James Bond novel.--<i>The New York Review of Books</i><br><br><br /><br />Very well written. . . . It will be interesting for specialists, general readership, and undergraduate and graduate students.--<i>Choice</i><br><br><br /><br />A tour de force, <i>Back Channel to Cuba</i> never simplifies the complexity of the post-Revolution relationship between the United States and Cuba. The authors' virtuosity and enthusiastic vigor is reminiscent of John Le Carre as a political moralist while adhering to exacting scholarly standards.--<i>The American Conservative</i><br><br><br /><br />Told in clear prose, this richly detailed book underscores how diplomacy makes headlines, but many exchanges happen far from official negotiation tables.--<i>Publishers Weekly</i>, starred review<br><br><br /><br />LeoGrande and Kornbluh's groundbreaking work is essential reading for U.S.-Cuban scholars and for anyone who wants to understand the context of Raul Castro and Obama's December 2014 announcements.--<i>Diplomatic History</i><br><br><br /><br />Observers should look to Back Channel to Cuba and its mastery of detail and analysis for the precedents that map out the road ahead&mdash;and the potholes to avoid.--<i>American Historical Review</i><br><br>
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  BACK 
  CHANNEL  
  TO CUBA
  the hidden history  
  of negotiations  
  between washington  
  and havana
  William M. LeoGrande  
  & Peter Kornbluh
  the university of north carolina press chapel hill
  
  This book was published with the assistance of a grant from  
  American University and the assistance of the William Rand Kenan Jr.  
  Fund of the University of North Carolina Press.
  © 2014 the university of north carolina press
  All rights reserved. Set in Calluna by codeMantra. 
  Manufactured in the United States of America. The paper in this book 
  meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee 
  on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library 
  Resources. The University of North Carolina Press has been a member  
  of the Green Press Initiative since 2003.
  Jacket illustrations: Richard Nixon and Fidel Castro, 1959 (Cuban 
  Revolution Collection, MS 650, Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University 
  Library); te