The Miami Book Hub Launches with a Neighbor, a Historian, and a Love of Books

New podcast features Cuban-American author Adolfo 'Al' Ovies and his passion for Civil War history

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Miami Book Hub, a new podcast hosted by J. Adrian Betancourt, launched with a focus on local author Adolfo 'Al' Ovies and his multi-book series 'The Boy Generals' about the rivalry between Civil War cavalry officers George Custer and Wesley Merritt. Ovies, a Cuban-American historian, traces his lifelong fascination with the Civil War to an early visit to the Gettysburg battlefield. The podcast also explores Ovies' upcoming book on the Bay of Pigs invasion, which he has researched extensively by interviewing veterans of the conflict.

Why it matters

The Miami Book Hub podcast aims to connect Miami's literary community by featuring local authors, publishers, bookstores, and readers. Ovies' story highlights how a shared passion for history and storytelling can bring together people from diverse backgrounds, while his dedication to meticulous research and firsthand accounts provides a unique perspective on both the Civil War and the Bay of Pigs invasion.

The details

Ovies, a neighbor of podcast host J. Adrian Betancourt, has already published two volumes of his 'The Boy Generals' series, with a third scheduled for release in July 2026 and a fourth book on the Bay of Pigs conflict in progress. The series focuses on the rivalry between Custer and Merritt, two cavalry officers whose relationship was marked by rank, insubordination, and continuous conflict throughout the Civil War. Ovies' approach emphasizes firsthand accounts and battlefield research, which he credits to the mentorship of the late historian Eric J. Wittenberg. For his upcoming book on the Bay of Pigs, Ovies has interviewed close to two dozen veterans of the conflict, aiming to present a nonpartisan, human-focused account of the three-day battle.

  • Ovies left Cuba with his family in 1960 when he was 6 or 7 years old.
  • Ovies' first two volumes of 'The Boy Generals' series have already been published.
  • The third volume of 'The Boy Generals' is scheduled for release on July 15, 2026.
  • Ovies' book on the Bay of Pigs invasion is currently in progress.

The players

Adolfo 'Al' Ovies

A Cuban-American author with a deep expertise in Civil War history, Ovies has published two volumes of his 'The Boy Generals' series and is working on a third volume as well as a book on the Bay of Pigs invasion.

J. Adrian Betancourt

The host of the new podcast 'The Miami Book Hub,' Betancourt is also Ovies' neighbor and shares a passion for books and storytelling.

Eric J. Wittenberg

A historian who authored more than 23 books on Union cavalry operations, Wittenberg mentored Ovies and even wrote a foreword for one of his books.

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What they’re saying

“The little people may know about Custer is 'Custer's Last Stand,' but there's so much more to the man.”

— J. Adrian Betancourt, Podcast Host (The Miami Book Hub)

“It's... a double biography, describing the twin anchors of his trilogy: Custer and fellow cavalry officer Wesley Merritt.”

— Adolfo 'Al' Ovies, Author (The Miami Book Hub)

“Custer was really rankled by the fact that... Wesley Merritt was always Custer's superior officer. He just hated that and he did everything he could to the point of insubordination.”

— Adolfo 'Al' Ovies, Author (The Miami Book Hub)

“You must have a love of research to have done as much as you have.”

— J. Adrian Betancourt, Podcast Host (The Miami Book Hub)

“You have to stick to it every day. Writer's block... is a real thing. And you just have to plow through it... you can always go back and edit what you've written, but you've got to continue forging ahead.”

— Adolfo 'Al' Ovies, Author (The Miami Book Hub)

What’s next

The third volume of Adolfo 'Al' Ovies' 'The Boy Generals' series is scheduled for release on July 15, 2026.

The takeaway

The Miami Book Hub podcast showcases how a shared passion for history, storytelling, and the written word can bring together diverse individuals and perspectives, while also highlighting the dedication and persistence required to produce high-quality nonfiction works that offer unique insights into both the past and the present.