A Continent of Islands: Searching for the Caribbean Destiny

by Mark Kurlansky

Release Date: March, 1993

Edition: Paperback

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A good book on a diverse subject

SO few books exist on general Caribbean history this book, despite its many small flaws, is a very good read. Perusing many different subjects without much connection and hopping from island to island(one has to in the Caribbean) this book details many of the issues the Caribbean faces. From large remnants of the salve trade to smaller remnants of the indigenous people(Arawak and Carib) as well as the everlasting sting of colonization this book paints a colorful picture of the many personalities of the islands and their diverse history. Probably the most ignored fact of the book is that while the British dominated islands have become largely successful democracies the former French and Spanish colonies have slumped into depravity. Little analysis is done and the figures presented mostly are not analyzed. Nevertheless this book is more travel journal then history, and popular history at best, so it does its trick. Anyone interested in an introduction to the Caribbean will be happy.

Seth J. Frantzman

Engaging Overview

This is not your scholarly tome, an arid recitation of events and facts. For such a fascinating part of the world, the Caribbean has generated very few readable histories that keep a reader's interest. Kurlansky includes a modicum of facts, but the real power of this book is the sweep, and the themes that tie different islands and eras together. I would recommend this book without hesitation to anyone who wants to know something about the Caribbean - or even someone just looking for an entertaining piece of non-fiction. Unlike the single grumpy reviewer, I would have no hesitation using this book in an introductory class on Caribbean culture.