A Brief History of the Caribbean: From the Arawak and Carib to the Present
by Jan Rogonzinski

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Book Reviews of A Brief History of the Caribbean: From the Arawak and Carib to the Present

Book Review: An excellent companion to a good Caribbean guidebook
Summary: 4 Stars

A commonly sold T-shirt in the Caribbean states 'Same S**t, different Island'. This book does a great deal to differentiate between the islands and to identify their common and different histories.

It paints a tale of how the peaceful Arawak, and more warlike Carib, were virtually wiped out as the islands were turned over to commerce and slavery. Of a horrific slave trade in which an estimated 5+ million people had their life choices removed (that number excludes the approx 5 million slaves sent to other parts of the Americas). Of how Sir Francis Drake was perhaps the most successful of 'pirates'. Of disease and death for early white settlers.

Suddenly, its no longer same s**t, different island as the different histories of the region are outlined chronologically. One starts to appreciate Cuba's strategic position (250 times the size of Barbados and dominant in its location oppostite Florida; the importance of Dominica as a refuge to the largest surviving Carib population; of the Maroon (free slave) groups that lived on Jamaica and some other islands. That the islands are volcanic and from time to time kill people. Of the terrible hurricanes, including one in 1780 which swept from Barbados to Puerto Rico and killed 22,000. Of states gaining independence relatively recently. Of the 1983 US military invasion of Grenada.

The region ceases to be a series of beautiful beaches separated intermittently by sea, instead a rich tapestry of nations with differing backgrounds and current economic strengths.

The book isn't a page turner, but it is a well written, informative read that sits well alongside a good guidebook for anyone wanting to know more about this facinating region.

History Books