Letter from the Grave

Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. It's a nonfiction, highly informative account of a family's experience growing up in Cuba during the 1950's. It's a very interesting read and beautiful story of the family's love for each other and devotion to their country. It is well-written and there is an incredible amount of detail about the history of Cuba. It is both heartbreaking and fascinating. The author describes his first hand experience of life under a corrupt and abusive government . I highly recommend this book. Well worth the purchase!

  J, Middleton

Letter from the Grave is a must read and I highly recommend it! It is a well-written and heart wrenching account of an extremely disturbing period in Cuban history. I found the book to be an educational and captivating read. Once I started reading it, I could not stop. The author’s description of the time period – intertwined with the stories of his close-knit and loving family – was moving, powerful, and heartbreaking. I also really loved the family photographs in the book which truly captured poignant memories of happy times. This book is for anyone who wants to read a true, remarkable, and deeply heartfelt story that you will never forget.    Bien hecho!

Valerie Batista

I really enjoyed this book for many reasons. My father was Cuban and, unfortunately, I never asked about the struggles that many of the Cubans faced when the revolution was happening. This gave me an insight into what he was probably experiencing at the time. This book not only allowed me to hear one persons experience but also taught me a lot about the events leading up to the revolution. It was interesting to hear about this form the perspective of a child.

Kurt S

"Letter from the Grave by William Le Sante is a powerful, deeply personal tribute to the author’s father and family, set against the backdrop of Cuba’s political upheaval—from Batista’s regime to Castro’s rise. What makes it unforgettable is how real it feels—more than history or memoir, it reads like pure memory. Through the eyes of both father and son, we experience the trials, sacrifices, and emotional weight of that era, all conveyed with raw honesty and vivid detail.

The book is rich with Cuban history, but it’s the emotional truth that resonates most. You don’t just read about the past—you live it with them. LeSante captures the pain of displacement, the strength of family, and the personal cost of revolution in a way that feels both intimate and universal. It’s a moving tribute, a historical chronicle, and above all, a heartfelt letter to those who came before."

Ben