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andhereadstoo's review
5.0
This book is dense! A comprehensive history of the Caribbean that feels like a course in Caribbean history. I took over 3 months to complete this book but that says more about my reading habits than it does about how enjoyable this book is. Beginning with Columbus’ westward expedition, Williams tells the history of the Caribbean through to the then present (published in 1970) and his hopes for what Castro’s revolution in Cuba would represent for a post colonial Caribbean. All the while he highlights how capitalist motivations influenced the policies of the various European nations with respect to their West Indian colonies. In this regard, it expands on a theme Williams thoroughly examined in Capitalism and Slavery; that mercantile capitalism was responsible for the rise of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery in the Americas, which made possible the advent of industrial capitalism, which eventually was responsible for the abolition of slavery. In this book, he goes on to show how capitalist interests affected and shaped every colonial policy in the Americas.
Although, as I said, the book is dense, Williams has the ability to present complex ideas, and the relevant historical data as supporting evidence, in such a clear manner that it seems matter of fact. In this matter of fact manner he also dismisses what were commonly held beliefs up to that time. It is clear that one of the motivations behind writing this book was to present a history of the Caribbean from the perspective of those whose lives and labour were exploited to the benefit of European metropoles rather than from the perspective of the metropoles themselves. However, don’t let the complexity or political undertones I’ve mentioned lead you to believe that this is not an enjoyable read. The history of the Caribbean is fascinating!
It’s hard to believe that despite how important this region was to the global economy and to the rise and fall of the various super powers who controlled these islands, that now much of this history is forgotten and our islands are almost overlooked. The history of these islands is also replete with cruelty and tragedy as well as resistance, revolt and revolution. Williams ends the book with what he believes is a roadmap for the citizens of the Caribbean to autonomy and self governance and for the region to take its true place in Latin America and the New World. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Caribbean history and I think it’s a valuable book to have in your library as a reference text.
Although, as I said, the book is dense, Williams has the ability to present complex ideas, and the relevant historical data as supporting evidence, in such a clear manner that it seems matter of fact. In this matter of fact manner he also dismisses what were commonly held beliefs up to that time. It is clear that one of the motivations behind writing this book was to present a history of the Caribbean from the perspective of those whose lives and labour were exploited to the benefit of European metropoles rather than from the perspective of the metropoles themselves. However, don’t let the complexity or political undertones I’ve mentioned lead you to believe that this is not an enjoyable read. The history of the Caribbean is fascinating!
It’s hard to believe that despite how important this region was to the global economy and to the rise and fall of the various super powers who controlled these islands, that now much of this history is forgotten and our islands are almost overlooked. The history of these islands is also replete with cruelty and tragedy as well as resistance, revolt and revolution. Williams ends the book with what he believes is a roadmap for the citizens of the Caribbean to autonomy and self governance and for the region to take its true place in Latin America and the New World. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Caribbean history and I think it’s a valuable book to have in your library as a reference text.
bahareads's review
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
From Columbus to Castro: The History of the Caribbean is a masterpiece of economic and (somewhat) political history. This is not a light read. It is, however, a very informative one. Published in 1970 From Columbus to Castro is a classic in the field of Caribbean history. The amount of information Williams was about to pack into this text is astounding. I aspire to such research depths and heights. Since Williams is writing from an economic and political view the narrative of From Columbus to Castro is dry but to counter that the characters of From Columbus to Castro are very short, making the information consumable. There are 49 chapters in here with titles ranging from "A sixteenth-century view of the West Indies" to "A Slave in Chains" to "Che' Guevara." The main theme of From Columbus to Castro here is capitalism. Economics driving how the Caribbean is colonized and its resources subsequently drained by European powers are in every chapter. Presenting data analysis and statistics, Williams makes his claims with powerful proof. However, throughout the text, there is no endnotes or footnotes, not citations at all. There is a bibliography but no way to check on all of the statistics and data he presents us. The bibliography is extensive though!! Eric Williams ends with suggestions on moving forward as a united Caribbean. From Columbus to Castro is a great read for anyone deeply interested in Caribbean history. If you want more narrative history, I would suggest another text. From Columbus to Castro is a great reference work and addition to anyone's shelf.
Quotes from the last chapter
“A too-long history of colonialism seems to have crippled Caribbean self-confidence and Caribbean self-reliance, and a vicious circle has been set up: psychological dependence leads to an ever-growing economic and cultural dependence on the outside world. Fragmentation is intensified in the process. And the greater degree of dependence and fragmentation further reduces local self-confidence.”
“Fragmentation is accompanied by massive dependence on the outside world, even in the independent countries of the Commonwealth Caribbean. With the exception of Cuba (the character of whose dependence is different from that of the others), the politically dependent and the politically independent countries of the Caribbean differ only in the latter’s possession of formal sovereignty. For the most part, they are all high dependent on the outside world— for economic aid; for large portions of the capital annually invested in both the traditional and the new manufacturing and tourist sectors of the economy; for sheltered markets for their traditional primary products; and even for emigration outlets for their surplus labour….”
“It is not possible at this stage to sketch out precisely the type of relationship which might be established between the Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth Caribbean. Suffice it to say there is great scope for functional collaboration in respect of the production, processing and marketing of commodities such as sugar and minerals such as bauxite; for the exchange of technological and scientific knowledge; for the rationalism of regional agriculture; and, not least, for the establishment of regional integrated industries in specific sectors, drawing their raw materials either from regional or extra-regional sources and serving both regional and non-regional markets.
Once there is true integration among all the units of the Caribbean, and once all the vestiges of political, economic, cultural and psychological dependence and of racism have been removed from the Caribbean, then and only then can the Caribbean take its true place in Latin America and the New World. And put an end to the international wars and inter-regional squabbles which, from Columbus to Castro, have marked the disposition of Adam’s will.”
Quotes from the last chapter
“A too-long history of colonialism seems to have crippled Caribbean self-confidence and Caribbean self-reliance, and a vicious circle has been set up: psychological dependence leads to an ever-growing economic and cultural dependence on the outside world. Fragmentation is intensified in the process. And the greater degree of dependence and fragmentation further reduces local self-confidence.”
“Fragmentation is accompanied by massive dependence on the outside world, even in the independent countries of the Commonwealth Caribbean. With the exception of Cuba (the character of whose dependence is different from that of the others), the politically dependent and the politically independent countries of the Caribbean differ only in the latter’s possession of formal sovereignty. For the most part, they are all high dependent on the outside world— for economic aid; for large portions of the capital annually invested in both the traditional and the new manufacturing and tourist sectors of the economy; for sheltered markets for their traditional primary products; and even for emigration outlets for their surplus labour….”
“It is not possible at this stage to sketch out precisely the type of relationship which might be established between the Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth Caribbean. Suffice it to say there is great scope for functional collaboration in respect of the production, processing and marketing of commodities such as sugar and minerals such as bauxite; for the exchange of technological and scientific knowledge; for the rationalism of regional agriculture; and, not least, for the establishment of regional integrated industries in specific sectors, drawing their raw materials either from regional or extra-regional sources and serving both regional and non-regional markets.
Once there is true integration among all the units of the Caribbean, and once all the vestiges of political, economic, cultural and psychological dependence and of racism have been removed from the Caribbean, then and only then can the Caribbean take its true place in Latin America and the New World. And put an end to the international wars and inter-regional squabbles which, from Columbus to Castro, have marked the disposition of Adam’s will.”
andhereadstoo's review against another edition
5.0
This book is dense! A comprehensive history of the Caribbean that feels like a course in Caribbean history. I took over 3 months to complete this book but that says more about my reading habits than it does about how enjoyable this book is. Beginning with Columbus’ westward expedition, Williams tells the history of the Caribbean through to the then present (published in 1970) and his hopes for what Castro’s revolution in Cuba would represent for a post colonial Caribbean. All the while he highlights how capitalist motivations influenced the policies of the various European nations with respect to their West Indian colonies. In this regard, it expands on a theme Williams thoroughly examined in Capitalism and Slavery; that mercantile capitalism was responsible for the rise of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery in the Americas, which made possible the advent of industrial capitalism, which eventually was responsible for the abolition of slavery. In this book, he goes on to show how capitalist interests affected and shaped every colonial policy in the Americas.
Although, as I said, the book is dense, Williams has the ability to present complex ideas, and the relevant historical data as supporting evidence, in such a clear manner that it seems matter of fact. In this matter of fact manner he also dismisses what were commonly held beliefs up to that time. It is clear that one of the motivations behind writing this book was to present a history of the Caribbean from the perspective of those whose lives and labour were exploited to the benefit of European metropoles rather than from the perspective of the metropoles themselves. However, don’t let the complexity or political undertones I’ve mentioned lead you to believe that this is not an enjoyable read. The history of the Caribbean is fascinating!
It’s hard to believe that despite how important this region was to the global economy and to the rise and fall of the various super powers who controlled these islands, that now much of this history is forgotten and our islands are almost overlooked. The history of these islands is also replete with cruelty and tragedy as well as resistance, revolt and revolution. Williams ends the book with what he believes is a roadmap for the citizens of the Caribbean to autonomy and self governance and for the region to take its true place in Latin America and the New World. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Caribbean history and I think it’s a valuable book to have in your library as a reference text.
Although, as I said, the book is dense, Williams has the ability to present complex ideas, and the relevant historical data as supporting evidence, in such a clear manner that it seems matter of fact. In this matter of fact manner he also dismisses what were commonly held beliefs up to that time. It is clear that one of the motivations behind writing this book was to present a history of the Caribbean from the perspective of those whose lives and labour were exploited to the benefit of European metropoles rather than from the perspective of the metropoles themselves. However, don’t let the complexity or political undertones I’ve mentioned lead you to believe that this is not an enjoyable read. The history of the Caribbean is fascinating!
It’s hard to believe that despite how important this region was to the global economy and to the rise and fall of the various super powers who controlled these islands, that now much of this history is forgotten and our islands are almost overlooked. The history of these islands is also replete with cruelty and tragedy as well as resistance, revolt and revolution. Williams ends the book with what he believes is a roadmap for the citizens of the Caribbean to autonomy and self governance and for the region to take its true place in Latin America and the New World. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Caribbean history and I think it’s a valuable book to have in your library as a reference text.
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