Preface

Abstract

Preface Louis A. Pérez Jr. The publication of volume 36 marks the inaugural issue of Cuban Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It is fully appropriate at this moment of transition of editorial responsibility to acknowledge with heartfelt appreciation the valuable service of the past five years rendered by the editorial staff at the Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University. The dedication to the well-being of Cuban Studies, no less than the care given to the maintenance of the editorial integrity and professional quality of the journal, stand as the hallmark facets of the FIU years. The community of scholars and students given to the study of Cuba will long be in the debt of Lisandro Pérez, Uva de Aragón, Sherry Johnson, Damián Fernández, Marian Goslinga, and Susana S. Penley for the selflessness with which they discharged editorial responsibility for Cuban Studies. In this regard it is also necessary to acknowledge with appreciation the years of expert service rendered by Nathan Mac Brien at the University of Pittsburgh Press. Nathan contributed in ways large and small to the continuing success of Cuban Studies. I am certain that I represent the sentiment of all who have worked with him these past years in wishing him well in his new endeavors. Volume 36 and the volumes that follow will represent continuity with the traditions and practices of the last 20 years of the single annual publication format. Articles emerging from all realms of knowledge and scholarly disciplines will be welcomed. The practice of blind outside evaluations will continue to serve as the method by which manuscripts will be considered. Submission of English- and Spanish-language manuscripts is encouraged. Changes beginning with volume 36 have more to do with editorial representation in the internal governance and editorial procedures of Cuban Studies. Effort will be made in the years to come to increase the number and expand the participation of scholars from the island on the Editorial Advisory Board. In this regard, the decision has been made to add to the editorial staff a book review editor resident in Cuba, who will be responsible for the acquisition of new titles published on the island and assignment of reviews to appropriate scholars in Cuba. It is hoped that the expansion of Cuban representation on the Editorial Advisory Board and the increased participation of scholars on the island in the review process of books and monographs published in Cuba will serve to expand the scholarly reach of Cuban Studies as well as promote collaborative prospects among scholars engaged in the study of Cuba. [End Page vii] I avail myself of this opportunity, lastly, to express my appreciation to Cynthia Miller, director of the University of Pittsburgh Press, for her continuing support of Cuban Studies. And especially in this instance, with the publication of volume 36, to thank her for her direct involvement in the editorial process. [End Page viii] Louis A. Pérez Jr. Chapel Hill, North Carolina March 2005 Copyright © 2005 University of Pittsburgh Press