Cuba in War Time

"Cuba in War Time" by Richard Harding Davis is a historical account written during the late 19th century, specifically around the time just before the Spanish-American War. The book delves into the grim realities of the Cuban struggle for independence from Spanish rule, focusing on the effects of the ongoing conflict on various aspects of life in Cuba, including the tactics of the Spanish military and the plight of both insurgents and non-combatants. Davis presents a vivid picture of the landscape, military fortifications, and social implications of the war. At the start of the book, Davis outlines the situation in Cuba, discussing the fortifications built by the Spanish in response to the Cuban revolution and the division of the island into military camps. He describes the complexities of civilian life under military control, as well as the desperation of those caught in the middle of the conflict. Introduced are the "pacíficos," civilians forced from their homes into towns, and the insurgents, who live in the countryside, making do with what little they have. Davis's narrative paints a stark picture of the destruction wrought by the war, capturing the devastating impact of violence on the populace and challenging the reader to confront the harsh realities of imperialism and warfare. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Richard Harding Davis was an American journalist and writer of fiction and drama, known foremost as the first American war correspondent to cover the Spanish–American War, the Second Boer War, and World War I. His writing greatly assisted the political career of Theodore Roosevelt. He also played a major role in the evolution of the American magazine. His influence extended to the world of fashion, and he is credited with making the clean-shaven look popular among men at the turn of the 20th century.