In case you didn't know it, those ration books are not merely ornamental.

The prices in the ration book are about 20 times lower than the free market.

No one seemed to have told them about ration books.

Almost all food is now legally available only to those with ration books.

In 1949, guests had to hand over their ration books on arrival.

Each person in a household received a ration book, including babies and children.

People had to register with local shops to use their ration books.

In short, the ration book would have become a national institution like the council house.

And they still had ration books when I was a kid.

But, in reality, this tight Cuban system clearly can't take care of its people's needs - ration books get you through half the month.