Showing titles in Caribbean & West Indies

For over 120 years, Puerto Rico has lived under the control of the United States, yet it has no vote in Congress, no say in presidential elections, and no path to true self determination. Why? In La Mano de Washington: How U.S. Presidents Failed Puerto Rico, Alex Alicea exposes the long and often hidden history of how U.S. presidents, both Democrat and Republican, have neglected, exploited, and undermined the island since 1898.

Unveil the thrilling life of Juan Ponce de León, the fearless Spanish conquistador, whose quest for gold, glory, and the mythical Fountain of Youth shaped the destiny of an entire continent. "Juan Ponce de León: Conquistador, Explorer, and the Shaping of the New World" delves into the gripping narrative of a man whose legacy extends far beyond legend, touching the foundations of modern Puerto Rican and American history.

Dive into the groundbreaking story of El Salvador, the first nation to embrace Bitcoin as legal tender, in this riveting exploration of a bold experiment that has captured the world's attention. The Bitcoin Experiment unpacks the highs and lows of a revolutionary policy that seeks to reshape the country’s economic landscape while challenging traditional global financial norms.

Step into the world of the powerful Taíno leader, Agüeybaná the Great, who led the first organized resistance against Spanish colonization. This compelling narrative transports you to 16th-century Puerto Rico, where the clash between indigenous civilization and European empire was about to reshape history. Discover the rich culture of the Taíno people, their deep connection to the land, and their highly organized society led by caciques like Agüeybaná.

A hugely entertaining social history of the elite and exclusive Caribbean island of St. Barthélemy from the New York Times bestselling author of Model and 740 Park. St. Barthelemy is revered for its luxury, its stunning beaches and its VIP fans. Those who’ve either been there or hope to go...

Celebrating a decade of Columbia Global Reports, the Forerunners series revives groundbreaking works of investigative journalism and incisive analysis published a century before CGR’s founding. These texts, once forgotten or underexplored, reflect CGR’s core mission: fearless reporting...

The Story of Las Carpetas plunges readers into the hidden yet pervasive history of Puerto Rico’s surveillance era, a period where the government maintained secret "files" or "carpetas" on thousands of citizens. These files meticulously recorded personal, political, and cultural lives, leading to deep societal rifts and a legacy of fear and mistrust. Alex Alicea brings this dark chapter to life, beginning with a powerful narrative of María Rodriguez opening her file in 1987—a moment that forever altered her understanding of herself and her country.

Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, was the most feared pirate of the Golden Age—a towering figure who struck terror into the hearts of sailors from the Caribbean to the Carolinas. Most biographies seem to start and stop with that statement, but there was much more to the life of Blackbeard than that, and much more to learn about the man behind history’s most fearsome pirate legend.

Esta es una historia mínima de un fenómeno complejo y cambiante, en un periodo de dos décadas, llamado Revolución cubana. Mínima historia, en el sentido que dio a estos términos el historiador mexicano Daniel Cosío Villegas, allá por los años setenta. El autor de esta obra repasa las...

In the harrowing words of this compelling narrative, delve into the tragic events that unfolded on December 11 and 12, 1981, in the remote village of El Mozote. Uncover the untold stories of the courageous individuals who faced unimaginable brutality, caught in the crossfire of a war that scarred a nation. This book is a journey through the darkest chapters of history, exploring the resilience of the human spirit against the backdrop of unspeakable atrocities.

Enthralling History offers a vivid dive into the revolutionary turmoil that changed the world. Discover the fiery spirit of a nation forged in rebellion and the heroes who led the charge toward freedom.

In King of the Gunrunners, author James W. Miller reveals the untold story of a forgotten American whose adventures helped pave the way for the United States' emergence as an international power. This volume presents the story of Hart, the defiant king of the Cuban gunrunners, who prolonged a revolution, provoked a war, and left an indelible mark on history.

Join the journey to understand how historical decisions continue to shape modern debates over Puerto Rico’s status, economy, and identity. Citizens Without a Country is essential for anyone who wants to try to grasp the complexity of the U.S.-Puerto Rico relations and reflect on broader issues of citizenship and equality in America.

¿Cómo narrar el final de uno de los procesos políticos más relevantes ocurridos en Latinoamérica? ¿Qué registrar cuando se visita una isla donde se cede lentamente el paso a la modernización? Ambas preguntas remiten a una cuestión innegable: un capítulo en la historia contemporánea...

Vodou, Vodoun, Vudu, and Voodoo has captivated the imaginations of Americans for centuries. Everyone is familiar with New Orleans Voodoo and its images of black candles, chicken’s feet, and skulls meant to invoke fear and awe in outsiders. Voodoo as practiced in the United States has become an amalgam of witchcraft, necromancy, rootwork, conjure, and a catch-all word for any type of magic that seems dark and ominous. In the Caribbean, however, Voodoo is spelled Vodou and is practiced as an African Traditional Religion (ATR).

The landscape of Anguilla has been graced with the military strides of this noble gentleman Gregory 'Jaggy' Benjamin. With every step and landing of the shoe, there was that stamp of approval of an island branded ‘tranquility wrapped in blue.’ Jaggy was truly a spectacular figure in every way depicting a beacon. You could not miss him, for he stood out, a tall black man. His hallmark action was his favorite twist and lash with his hand against his thigh.

From 1845 to 1865 the Gulf of Mexico was at the center of American expansion and southern imperialism. A Continuous State of War tells the story of several communities as well as countries such as Mexico and Cuba, to uncover the way that wars within the upper rim of the Gulf of Mexico facilitated American and southern attempts to conquer Latin American nations. In the push for westward expansion that preceded the Civil War, white southerners along with other Americans engaged in violent conquest in Latin America and the American West. 

"Las Raíces de Honduras: rastreando la historia de una nación" es un relato histórico integral de Honduras, comenzando con los pueblos indígenas y abarcando hasta los tiempos modernos. El libro profundiza en la rica historia precolonial del país, incluida la civilización maya y su impacto en el patrimonio cultural de Honduras. También explora el tumultuoso período de las repúblicas bananeras y las posteriores luchas por la modernización. El libro continúa detallando las transformaciones sociales, económicas y políticas que han ocurrido en la historia reciente de Honduras.

Journey into the heart of Puerto Rico's extraordinary history in "Boricua! The History and Future of Puerto Rico," by Donald Elton. From the rich, often overlooked story of the indigenous Taíno civilization, through the brutal conquest by Spain and complex dynamics with the United States, this riveting book paints a nuanced portrait of a people whose identity has been shaped by resilience and resistance.

Adéntrate en el corazón de la extraordinaria historia de Puerto Rico en "¡Boricua! La historia y el futuro de Puerto Rico", por Donald Elton. Desde la rica y a menudo olvidada civilización indígena taína, pasando por la brutal conquista española, hasta las complejas relaciones con Estados Unidos, este apasionante libro ofrece un retrato matizado de un pueblo cuya identidad ha sido forjada por la resistencia y la resiliencia.