In 1961, the US ban on Cuban trade and travel, followed by a break in diplomatic relations, created a de facto embargo on information about Cuba. In 1999, at age 25, Anna Mia Davidson went to Cuba for the first time on a personal journey to capture the isolated island nation. Cuba was just beginning to recover from the "Special Period," the economic crisis that occurred after 1989 when Russia pulled its financial support after nearly four decades. On further travels during the following eight years, Davidson portrayed daily life in the cities, villages and countryside. Her black-and-white photographs are a testimony to the resilience of the Cuban people, who stood their ground during this transitional period with ingenuity and spirit. It was also here that Davidson came into contact with traditional forms of sustainable farming, a passion that has endured over the years. Davidson's book of black and white photographs from 1999 to 2007 hearken to a time when the country was still recovering from its Special Period, after the Soviet Union broke up and stopped financially supporting the Castro regime. These images demystify a people, describe a moment, and afford us a rare glimpse into a country's past. - Rain Embuscado, "ArtNet News" The book's printing is of classic beauty with deep blacks and luscious tonalities printed on a semi-matte paper that shows no glare and has brilliant whites. The paper is of a substantial weight and has a luxurious feel with expert binding. Clearly, Steidl's printing is masterful. - Richard Rivera "The New York Journal of Books"