A Continent Of Islands: Searching For The Caribbean Destiny |
Buy A Continent Of Islands: Searching For The Caribbean Destiny here, one of 750 Hurricanes books offered for sale at discount prices here in the history books section at R bookshop. There are currently 88435 history books in our history books section, and over 1,000,000 books listed in our book store. We greatly appreciate your patronage at R bookshop and look forward to offering you a large selection of great books at discount prices now and in the future. Thank you for shopping at R Bookshop!
|
You Are Here: Home > History Books > Hurricanes > Item 148
|
A Continent Of Islands: Searching For The Caribbean Destiny
|
by Mark Kurlansky
Sales Rank: 314831
|
List Price: $17.95
$12.21
At Amazon
on 11-26-2008.
|
|
|
|
Features
Cover Type: Paperback with 336 pages
Published by: Da Capo Press March 20, 1993
Written in: English
ISBN 10 Number: 0201622319
ISBN 13 Number: 978-0201622317
Book Dimensions:
8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
Weighs: 1 pounds
From Library Journal
Journalist Kurlansky has packed a lot of information in a relatively slim book. Readers who are familiar with one but not all of the Caribbean nations covered will find no errors in his facts and learn a great deal. He has designed his book's format to cover cultural topics, comparing and contrasting countries rather than plodding from country to country. He discusses various topics: AIDS; the 500th anniversary of Columbus's landing; the African roots of voodoo, arara, santeria, and shango; and the status of women. The bibliography is well planned with a wide selection of fiction and nonfiction titles. Highly recommended for all col P.L. System, Fla.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Kirkus Reviews
A penetrating analysis of the social, political, sexual, and cultural worlds that exist behind the four-color Caribbean travel posters. Kurlansky, who reports on the Caribbean for The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, etc., has wide-ranging interests. Here, he discusses such diverse (and unexpected) aspects of his subject as the politics of hurricanes--how island leaders and their rivals take advantage of natural disasters to further their aims; the effects of AIDS on sexual practices throughout the region--the sections on Castro's handling of the AIDS emergency are particularly engrossing; and the impact of American Fundamentalist proselytizing on traditional West Indian religious groups. The author leavens his material by alternating these in-depth discussions with amusing vignettes of some of his own experiences below the Tropic of Cancer. His description of the arrival of the first McDonald's outlet on Barbados, for example, is hilarious: The Bajans, originally excited at the prospect of Big Macs, considered the burgers disappointing ``little bitty thing[s]'' when they finally appeared. One of Kurlansky's major themes is the danger inherent in a tourism-based island economy--which he believes could lead to the corruption of West Indian culture. He speaks eloquently about the cultural roots of the Caribbean peoples--though he seems not fully aware of the discrepancies that lurk there--pointing out, for example, that ``There are those Caribbeans, usually lighter- skinned, who argue that Caribbeansuse their history as an excuseto avoid accepting responsibility.Even this is part of the conditioning of their history.To fight this mentality is to fight the legacies of history.'' Should be read by every West Indies traveler and even by old Caribbean hands, who will find here page after page of highly original insights. (Black & white photos--not seen.) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Reader Reviews
A "Continent of Islands," by Mark Kurlansky was one of my favorite history/anthropology books while in college. The author, who delves into the Caribbean's complex cultures, does a wonderful job blending realities with warm humor. Whethere it is the influx of American culture and goods into the region or the complex nature of racial politics in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Kurlansky awakens the reader's mind with interesting tidbits and case studies. This should a must-read for students or admirers of Latin American & Caribbean culture and society. It should also be read by many here in the United States who want to know a bit more about the recent waves of immigrants from the Caribbean and what is motiviating the mass exoduses from their lovely islands. Indeed, the Caribbean is a "continent of islands," and just reading this book allowed me to discover more about our country's "backyard" even more so than before.
Back To Top
|
A Continent Of Islands: Searching For The Caribbean Destiny
Available from Amazon
Price: $12.21
Updated on 11-26-2008.
|
NOTICE: All prices, availability, and specifications
are subject to verification by their respective retailers.
| We offer A Continent Of Islands: Searching For The Caribbean Destiny and other related Hurricanes Books here at Rbookshop.com. To view more books about Hurricanes please use the previous and next buttons near the top of this page.
|
|
Search for books at
