Since the third edition was published in 1970, considerable changes have taken place within the Caribbean. The leaders who took the British islands into independence in the 60s have all departed the scene: there have been experiments in democratic socialism in Jamaica; a co-operative republic society in Guyana and a Marxist government in Grenada; and most of the smaller islands have followed the larger ones into independence. Efforts at regional co-operation have continued despite considerable strains and the U.S.A. has become more closely involved with the area. The problems of the wider world, such as the oil and debt crises, have all had their effects upon the countries in the area. The fourth edition deals with all these themes, bringing the history up to the mid-1980s so that it continues as the leading authoritative history of the West Indies.
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Book Description
An authoritative introduction to West Indian history from the earliest times to the present day. West Indian history is no minor theme in the story of other nations but is recognised as being of great importance and worthy of detailed study in its own right. It is a rich and colourful account of peoples who migrated or were transported to the West Indies from the old world bringing a variety of religious beliefs, languages and social customs.
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First Sentence
Christopher Columbus, while in Lisbon studying Portuguese records of their exploration of the West African coast, conceived the idea of reaching China and the Indies by sailing westwards across the Atlantic. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Christopher Columbus, while in Lisbon studying Portuguese records of their exploration of the West African coast, conceived the idea of reaching China and the Indies by sailing westwards across the Atlantic. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Brilliant insight into the history of the West Indies, and it's development within, and outside colonial activities, the authors have excellent insights into the development of Spanish colonial activities, the development of the sugar trade and much more besides, very good reading
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read, very interesting twists and turns of history but very light to read whilst being full of facts
5 Feb 2010
Format:Paperback
I have read this book and it it a brilliant read with some interesting turns. It covers to whole carribean, spanish, british, french and dutch. This is good as a holiday read or for a historian. I would recommend this to anyone wanting a good read it will bring many hours of pleasure
The binding of the book is not the best so make sure you buy a copy in good shape!!! Happy Reading
The binding of the book is not the best so make sure you buy a copy in good shape!!! Happy Reading
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.0 out of 5 stars
3 reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating overview
5 Mar 2000
By Edward Smyth
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This book offered so many fascinating insights into European and colonial history, the slave trade, the way nation states wage war, race relations--topics that are as relevant today as they have been over the last four hundred years. In the small stage of the West Indies you can see them all played out.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
solid history
6 Sep 2007
By Jerry Dwyer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This is a very readable history of the islands in the Caribbean. There also is some supporting discussion of mainland British colonies. The material generally is informative and the writing generally is reasonably good.
Probably the major advantage of this book compared to alternatives is the solid discussion of the political development of the islands in a way that is easy to follow and remember. With so many disparate islands being discussed, it is easy to get lost. The discussion clearly distinguishes between the larger and smaller islands and that makes it all clear.
The analysis of slavery's development and its consequences also is quite clear.
Probably the major drawback of this book -- or at least the printing of the 1987 fourth edition which I acquired in Bequia in the Grenadines -- is the large number of typos. Shame on Macmillan Caribbean. There probably is one typo every ten pages or so.
I would rate this book as outstanding if it weren't for two drawbacks: the typos; and the writing style changes at the end because a co-author was added later. Neither of these compromises the high quality of the history itself.
Probably the major advantage of this book compared to alternatives is the solid discussion of the political development of the islands in a way that is easy to follow and remember. With so many disparate islands being discussed, it is easy to get lost. The discussion clearly distinguishes between the larger and smaller islands and that makes it all clear.
The analysis of slavery's development and its consequences also is quite clear.
Probably the major drawback of this book -- or at least the printing of the 1987 fourth edition which I acquired in Bequia in the Grenadines -- is the large number of typos. Shame on Macmillan Caribbean. There probably is one typo every ten pages or so.
I would rate this book as outstanding if it weren't for two drawbacks: the typos; and the writing style changes at the end because a co-author was added later. Neither of these compromises the high quality of the history itself.
0 of 5 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
THE BOOK IS REDUNDANT AND VERY BORING.. USE BOOK IN CLASS...
17 Feb 1998
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
THE BOOK IS VERY BORING AND NOT GOOD READING MATERIAL. I AM READING THE BOOK FOR A UNIVERSITY CLASS AND DISLIKE THE READING ALTOGETHER. THE AUTHOR NEED TO TO TRY TO DO AN UPDATED AND MORE INTERESTING VERSION OF THE HISTORY. HOW CAN I UNDERSTAND THE WEST INDIES AND VISIT THE SITE IF I CAN'T UNDERSTAND THE BOOK... VERY VERY DULL!!!!!!
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3.0 out of 5 stars
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