A Continent of Islands: Searching for the Caribbean Destiny

"An in-depth study of the social history and politics of the Caribbean by a far-ranging journalist, excellent reading for travelers to the region. Organized as a series of independent essays with titles such as "Color-Coded Nations," the book is an insightful and frank look at the culture, music and religion of the Caribbean islands -- and the prospects for the future." Gracefully written with wonderful detail. Not just for those interested in sociology and geography; also a fine reference for writers who want to add some local color and dialect to their novels.

I read this book by accident - a friend said it might interest me - and I was fascinated to the point of starting a second reading immediately - almost unprecedented with me. I knew very little about the Carribean region - mostly through "antillais" people leaving in Paris where I spent most of my life. But my vantage point and great part of my interest originate from having lived in underdeveloped countries of South America (Bahia in Brasil and Bolivia) for the last three years and having struggled to make sense of what is underdevelopment, what are the roots of it and what could be done about it, how it relates to history, culture, race, economics, etc. This is exactly what MK is trying to do about the Carribean. He does not pretend to have an answer to these many questions, least of all a simple one. No one serious and seriously informed could pretend to do that. What he deserves full marks for is attacking the question from all possible angles, seeing how they are often relevant to each other - for example that economics cannot ignore culture more than culture can ignore economics, because the devil is always in the detail. Above all the book is well written, densely packed with first hand experience and information, often full of humour. MK is certainly rather more liberal than conservative, cannot refrain from a bit more sympathy for the Cuban regime than is befitting a good American patriot. That will certainly be enough (or was, the book is already 16 years old) for some to disregard what he says but they will be wrong - as they always are. He has sympathies, yes, but they are are not obstrusive, do not follow any partisan line. To a large extent this book is the sum of the experiences and reflexions of a thinking witness over many years. It should not be ignored and it reads well.

Kurlansky illuminates inquisitive minds with a refreshing look at the Caribbean. Delving beyond the surface of the islands, he captures very real portraits of the people and highlights their culture, problems, triumphs and humanity. Kurlansky treats all of the islands from Cuba to Trinidad with intellectual sensibility and equality, which contrasts several other authors myopic focus on a few selected islands and exclusion of subtle cultural points. For those people looking for information about the cultural similarities and differences of the Caribbean people and the challenges they face now and in the future, Kurlansky's "A Continent of Islands: Searching for the Caribbean Destiny" is an excellent choice. It is an enlightning book for Caribbeans and curious people, alike.

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.