Pérez’s central thesis is straightforward, as he recognizes that the Cuban nationalist sentiment rejected U.S. influences after the revolution of 1959, but that in the years preceding the Castro Revolution, Cuban national identity was identical with American values and influence. His study is extensive and covers a wide range of examples to illuminate the variety of ways in which components of U.S. culture became intimate parts of Cuban everyday life. For example, fashion and beauty, music, films and dance, to education policies and even appliances, and sports …show more content…
Also, the texts lack of a concluding chapter and bibliography, the reviewer ponders if he has stated any reason for this, and furthermore it too weakens the strength of the text. This is disappointing regarding the current cultural implications since the Castro revolution, as the readers would benefit from his position regarding these current events. “On Becoming Cuban” remains a staple for anyone wanting to understand the cultural history of the relationships between the U.S. and Cuba and the growing literature regarding nation