>From the Publisher
In 1957, Herbert L. Matthews of the New York Times tracked down Fidel Castro
in Cuba's Sierra Maestra mountains and returned with what was considered the
scoop of the century. His heroic portrayal of Castro, who was then believed
dead, had a powerful effect on American perceptions of Cuba and profoundly
influenced the fall of the Batista regime. When Castro emerged as a
Soviet-backed dictator, Matthews became a scapegoat; his paper turned on
him, his career foundered, and he was accused of betraying his country.
New York Times reporter Anthony DePalma investigates the Matthews case and
recreates the atmosphere of Cold War America. The Man Who Invented Fidel
offers provocative insights into Cuban politics and history, the
Cuban-American relationship, and the many difficult balancing acts of
responsible journalism.
Accreditation
Anthony DePalma has been a correspondent and reporter at the New York Times
for almost twenty years and is the author of Here: A Biography of the New
American Continent. He now writes about the environment. He and his wife,
who was born in Cuba, live in Montclair, New Jersey.