It is a book published initially in Puerto Rico (Publishing House of University of Puerto Rico, 1998) and now, by the Social Sciences Publishing House from the "Cuban Institute of the Book (ICL), 1998.

Following the course of Cuban historical process in the 19th century and in connection with the development of sugar industry, the author provides the fundamental keys for the best knowledge in the complex transformation through which Cuban sugar refineries go, when they were transformed into sugar mills of modern technology and high production capacity, by means of the well-known sugar concentration process.

The study of Cuban sugar industry in the 19th century, in the work "El ingenio" ("The sugar refinery"), written by Manuel Moreno Fraginals, was limited, in its temporary reach, to the period previous to the process of sugar concentration mentioned before. The presented work assumes completely the study of this process, taking into account the multiplicity of factors that take part. This research solves the problem of knowing the transition from the 19th to the 20th Cuban centuries, from the point of view of the main industry in the country.

Based on many sources of diverse nature consulted in Cuba, U.S.A, Spain and Germany, "From the sugar refinery to the sugar mill" ("Del ingenio al central") constitutes an exceptional contribution to the knowledge of our national history.

Although the book's impact cannot be fully appreciated on a scientific level in the present, because it has been recently published, there is no doubt that the existence of two consecutive editions will be able to guarantee its widest use by specialists on Cuban History, in particular; and some professors and researchers from all over the world, who are specialized in the studies of sugar industry.