In 1961, fearing the communist rule of Fidel Castro, Guillermo Vicente Vidal's family sent him to America through Operation Peter Pan. He arrived in Colorado and was sent to an orphanage with his brothers, and his family reunited four years later. Fifty years later, he served as Denver's mayor. This is his story of overcoming incredible odds.

"Growing up in a wealthy, privileged family in Havana in the 1950s, Guillermo seemed to lead an idyllic life, but, in fact, he and his brothers lay awake for hours as their parents raged at each other long into the night. Then Castro came to power, and, in 1961, Guillermo’s parents sent the boys to the U.S. with more than 14,000 other Cuban children on Operation Peter Pan. When relatives in Miami failed to meet the Vidal brothers, they found themselves in an orphanage in Denver, where they suffered brutal abuse. After many years, their parents joined them; Vidal grew up to be mayor of Denver, and today he is a Hispanic business leader. Cuban Americans will certainly take pride in the successful immigrant story here, but the candor of the personal drama at home gives the book added depth and resonance. Paralleling the broader context of political uproar in Cuba and the missile crisis are the raging battles between the parents, from which there wasno escape." —Booklist on the English-language edition

"I really enjoyed it." —President Bill Clinton on the English-language edition

"The book is lovely, beautifully written and so evocative of a time and place." —Anna Quindlen on the English-language edition

Guillermo Vicente Vidal is a native of Cuba, and grew up in Colorado. After graduating from the University of Colorado, he held various government positions, including Mayor of Denver. Vidal is president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Denver, and he lives with his family in Denver.