A Brief History of the Caribbean covers the historical events that have shaped the islands of the Caribbean Sea, beginning with an account of the indigenous populations before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492 and ending with the major political and economic developments taking place in 2007 in countries and territories such as Aruba, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

The historical perspective is enriched by allusions to the culture, manners, and morals of particular periods, often highlighting the connection between literary activities and politics, such as the Negritude movement, and literary figures and politicians, such as Juan Bosch in the Dominican Republic. Complementing the narrative are sidebars with important and unusual information on topics such as women pirates, Santeria, and the music of those enslaved. The authors attempt to give readers a multicultural perspective that will allow them to understand events from both the insider's and the outsider's viewpoints. Coverage includes: Pre-Columbian Inhabitants, Two Worlds in Collision: The Spanish Conquest, European Challenges to Spanish Rule, Revolutions in America, France, and Haiti, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Spanish-Cuban-American War, Cuban Dictatorship and Revolution, Commonwealth, Federation, and Autonomy: Puerto Rico, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and the Dutch Caribbean, The Twenty-first Century: Immigration and Uncertainties, Tables, basic facts, and a chronology, bibliography, and list of suggested reading make up the appendixes.

About the Author:
D. H. Figueredo is director of the Library and Media Center at Bloomfield College

About theAuthor:
Frank Argote-Freyre is assistant professor at Kean University. He holds a Ph.D. in Latin American history from Rutgers University and is the author of Fulgencio Batista: From Revolutionary to Strongman