The Brilliant Disaster

JFK, Castro, and America's Doomed Invasion of Cuba

By: Jim Rasenberger

Narrated by: Bob Walter

A “balanced, engrossing account” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) of the Bay of Pigs crisis drawing on long-hidden CIA documents and delivering the vivid truth of five pivotal days in April 1961.

At the heart of the Bay of Pigs crisis stood President John F. Kennedy, and journalist Jim Rasenberger traces what Kennedy knew, thought, and said as events unfolded. He examines whether Kennedy was manipulated by the CIA into approving a plan that would ultimately involve the American military. He also draws compelling portraits of the other figures who played key roles in the drama: Fidel Castro, who shortly after achieving power visited New York City and was cheered by thousands (just months before the United States began plotting his demise); Dwight Eisenhower, who originally ordered the secret program, then later disavowed it; Allen Dulles, the CIA director who may have told Kennedy about the plan before he was elected president (or so Richard Nixon suspected); and Richard Bissell, the famously brilliant “deus ex machina” who ran the operation for the CIA—and took the blame when it failed. Beyond the short-term fallout, Rasenberger demonstrates, the Bay of Pigs gave rise to further and greater woes, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and even, possibly, the assassination of John Kennedy.

Written with elegant clarity and narrative verve, The Brilliant Disaster is the most complete account of this event to date, providing not only a fast-paced chronicle of the disaster but an analysis of how it occurred—a question as relevant today as then—and how it profoundly altered the course of modern American history.

Narrator is fantastic!

Would you listen to The Brilliant Disaster again? Why?

Not only do I love history, but the Narrator (Bob Walter) is fantastic! He has an amazing voice that I could listen to anytime. I am always leary about listening to books because some Narrator's voices are grating. Bob Walter's voice is a pleasure to listen to and I would buy/rent any book narrated by him.

What does Bob Walter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is an absolutely fantastic narrator! Wonderful to listen to anytime. He has a tremendous voice and does a great job of keeping the listener engaged.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The description of Castro during his visit to New York City really brought a different aspect of his character to life. History classes tend to depict him ranting and drain the life out of the character.

Great Insight on US Leaders Inner Circle

This was great if you want to know about the backstory of the invasion, or even what was going on in the minds of the US top officials before during and after the invasion.

In terms of the invasion itself, I wish it was more in depth on the battles, heroism, and bravery of the poor souls who were part of the brigade.

This definitely paints a picture as to why the 60’s and 70’s played out the way they did and how history could have taken a different turn with if different decisions were made. Overall, a great book. Only knock is that I wish it went into more detail about the actual battle itself, however, it does talk about the battle a fair bit.

This gives a lot of first hand accounts from the CIA, President, and every other top US official at the time that was apart of the invasion.

Highly recommended

A cross of diplomatic, political, and military history that encapsulates the thought processes of those involved and their motives.

It is not a tale of benevolence in action nor naked aggression. Just men trying to do the best for their countries.

The Brilliant Disaster

I really enjoyed this book, I prefer listening to books way more than actually reading them so this was really nice.

US vs Cuba - the true story

A must for anyone over 60 that can even remember Kennedy or Castro. In many ways thus reverses their appeal. Perhaps more surprisingly this portraits Kennedy as no hero but someone overwhelmed by politics. In my childhood he was a hero, a great leader but one wonders whether the reality was that close. Yet even this adverse story fails to blunt my indoctrination. Likewise Castro. Modern Cuba was created by America and Castro could have been a useful ally. Initially a hero then a devil. His desire to be a friend of the US was never acknowledged simply because he was s 'socialist'. This was the time of the USSR, the space race and 2 superpowers. How little dies the ordinary man know. An essential read if you want to understand Modern Cuba. I go next week.