This book tells the story of the military life of Raúl Castro, an impressive military commander and highly original thinker who is also the longest-serving minister of defense of any country in recent times.

HAL KLEPAK is a Professor of History and Warfare Studies at the Royal Military College of Canada. In addition to teaching, Klepak serves as special advisor to the Department of National Defense, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the army commander for Latin American security affairs. He has authored numerous books and articles, includingCuba's Military 1990-2005: Revolutionary Soldiers during Counter-Revolutionary Times(2005).

Youth, Soldier, Officer, First Command  Minister but Nonetheless a Soldier We'll Have to Think Again: the '80s and the Weakening of the Soviet Connection  The Special Period for Raúl, the FAR and Cuba  Partial Recuperation and Last Years as Minister A Military Man as President  A Revolutionary Soldier and 'His' Revolutionary Defense System  Conclusions