Born in 1956, Alina was a child in the years just before and immediately following the Revolution of 1959. As the Revolution's events unfolded, Alina came to realize that, depending on his mood, Castro treated his illegitimate daughter with one of two extreme feelings -- utter adoration or painful neglect. Through the years, however, Castro's influence as an authority figure in Alina's life never diminished. As she grew older, she recognized her position as one of Cuba's elite -- but the political practices she witnessed under her father's regime and the neglect she experienced drove her to renounce that position and, ultimately, her relationship with her father as well.

Alina Fernandez was finally forced to leave her homeland and to seek refuge in the United States. In this memoir, published in English for the first time, Alina shares the extraordinary story of her experiences growing up in the shadow of Fidel Castro.