History of the People of Trinidad & Tobago

by Eric Williams

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Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics

292 pages, Hardcover

First published August 31, 1962

About the author

There is more than one author with this name.
Eric^^Williams

Eric Eustace Williams TC CH was a Trinidad and Tobago politician who is regarded by some as the "Father of the Nation", having led the then British Colony of Trinidad and Tobago to majority rule on 28 October 1956, to independence on 31 August 1962, and republic status on 1 August 1976, leading an unbroken string of general elections victories with his political party, the People's National Movement, until his death in 1981. He was the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and a noted Caribbean historian, especially for his book Capitalism and Slavery.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

An excellent historic text. If you choose to read it, you must keep that in mind. Dr. Williams, on the eve of Trinidad independence, was convinced that his nation must have it's own history published. Dr. Williams then wrote it as the true historian that he was. Very well researched and thorough. The downsides for me was that it was extremely dry, despite how informative it was. It is also shaded with Dr. Williams convictions, as espoused in his PNM party's platform of the day, that many, if not most, of the problems in Trinidad were a result of poor British governance during the colonial period. For anyone wishing to study the history of Trinidad and Tobago, it is a must read. But, for the leisurely historian, it can be a cumbersome read to finish.

[Niko Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives a tremendous amount of insight into why things are they way they are in T&T and I'd highly recommend it as a must-read title to any T&T national. With that said, I deducted a star as Dr. Williams rambles a bit in some parts, particularly those with things like statistics of sugar prodution in the 1800s etc. Still a highly recommended book though

[Antonia Mohamed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a school textbook. Rich in history of ownership, colonialism, slavery, economics, population and growth.
Great read for anyone looking to learn more about Trinidad and Tobago.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

eric williams is brilliant. this book is a dual manifesto and historical narrative. who'd have thought?! williams was brilliant!

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting chronicle of the island nation. Be warned: there are numerous, lengthy quotes from source documents. This would have been a more enjoyable read had the author summarized these quotes and pulled the nuggets from them.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough history of Trinidad and Tobago by our very first Prime Minister, Dr. Eric Williams...

[Indradeep Ghosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, engaging account of the nation's history, written from a native (as opposed to colonial) perspective, by its first Prime Minister.