Honorable Mention 2019 CASA Literary Prize for Studies on Latinos in the United States given by La Casa de lasampnbspAmamp233ricasampnbspampnbspThe dramatic story of the origins of the Cuban community in nineteenthcentury New York.ampnbspampnbspMore than one hundred years before the Cuban Revolution of 1959 sparked an exodus that created todayamp8217s prominent Cuban American presence Cubans were settling in New York City in what became largest community of Latin Americans in the nineteenthcentury Northeast. This book brings this community to vivid life tracing its formation and how it was shaped by both the sugar trade and the long struggle for independence from Spain. New York Cityamp8217s refineries bought vast quantities of raw sugar from Cuba ultimately creating an important center of commerce for Cuban amp233migramp233s as the island tumbled into the tumultuous decades that would close out the century and define Cuban nationhood and identity. ampnbspNew York became the primary destination for Cuban amp233migramp233s in search of an education opportunity wealth to start a new life or forget an old one to evade royal authority plot a revolution experience freedom or to buy and sell goods. While many of their stories ended tragically others were steeped in heroism and sacrifice and still others in opportunism and mendacity. Lisandro Pamp233rez beautifully weaves together all these stories showing the rise of a vibrant and influential community. Historically rich and engrossing Sugar Cigars and Revolution immerses the reader in the riveting drama of Cuban New York.ampnbspampnbspLisandro Pamp233rez analyzes the major forces that shaped the community but also tells the stories of individuals and families that made up the fabric of a littleknown immigrant world that represents the origins of New York Citys dynamic Latino presence. ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp ampnbsp am