PERSONA NON GRATA - An Envoy in Castro's Cuba (First UK edition and first edition in English)

Jorge Edwards (Translated from the Spanish by Colin Harding)

ISBN 10: 0370103750 / ISBN 13: 9780370103754

Published by The Bodley Head, London, 1977

About this Item

First impression of the first UK edition, and first edition in English. Translated from the Spanish by Colin Harding. ***Near fine in mauve cloth-covered boards with silver titles to the spine. The silver is still beautifully bright, having been protected by the dustwrapper. Head and tail of spine just slightly creased. Corners sharp. Boards clean and unmarked. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Page block edges clean - just lightly foxed to the top edge. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions. Pages clean with no foxing - just some light offsetting to the title page and page opposite. No creases or tears. ***In a very good colour illustrated dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of £6.95 net. The dustwrapper is complete, with the extremities just slightly rubbed and creased, mainly to the head and tail of the spine, and with a small nick and tear to the top edge of the front panel. No chips and no serious creases or tears. The spine of the dustwrapper has gently faded, but the dustwrapper is otherwise clean and unmarked. ***224mm x 144mm. 275 pages. ***'Jorge Edwards, a Chilean writer and career diplomat, was appointed as his country's first envoy to Cuba by the late President Allende when diplomatic relations were re-established in 1970. His arrival in Havana coincided with what can now be seen as one of the most critical periods of the Cuban Revolution when the early dreams and ideals were having to be adapted to the harsh economic reality of that period. Jorge Edwards was a witness to some of the most dramatic events in recent Latin American history and his book is remarkable as a testimony to that time. In a new Epilogue, specially written for the British edition, Jorge Edwards looks back with sadness on events in his own country since the military coup which overthrew Salvador Allende's elected Government on 11 September. 1973.' (Quote taken from the inside front flap of the dustwrapper) ***A near fine first UK edition of this uncommon work in a very good dustwrapper - a good resource book for those researching the history of the Cuban Revolution of 1959 and the Chilean coup d'état of 1973. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.

Seller Inventory # 9274

Bibliographic Details

• Title: PERSONA NON GRATA - An Envoy in Castro's Cuba (First UK edition and first edition in English)
• Publisher: The Bodley Head, London
• Publication Date: 1977
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0370103750
• ISBN 13: 9780370103754
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First UK Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • First Editions
  • Political & Social History

About this title

Synopsis

In 1970 Edwards was sent by socialist Chilean President Allende as his country's first envoy to break the diplomatic blockade that had sealed Cuba for over a decade, and open a Chilean embassy. His arrival coincided with the turning point of the revolution, when Castro began to repress the very intellectuals he once courted. Edwards recorded his disenchantment with the revolution in this book that made him a victim of double censorship and was banned by the left as well as the right. Since its publication over thirty years ago, it has maintained its authenticity and is considered the most controversial and notorious work of the winner of the Premio Cervantes 1999.