Destiny's Landfall: A History of Guam

by Robert F. Rogers

Ferdinand Magellan's fateful landfall on Guam, the first inhabited Pacific island known to Europeans, ushered in the age of European exploration in the Pacific and led inexorably to foreign domination of every traditional island society throughout Oceania. In the centuries after Magellan's landing in 1521, Guam became a small green oasis for alien priests, soldiers, traders, pirates, and other expatriates. Destiny's Landfall tells the story of this colorful cavalcade of outsiders and of the indigenous Chamorro people who, in a remarkable feat of resiliency, maintained their language and their identity despite three centuries of colonial domination by three of history's most powerful Spain, Japan, and the United States.
Today, international airlines, nuclear-powered submarines, and satellite tracking stations have replaced Spanish galleons. But though Americanized, modernized, and multiethnic, Guam continues to fulfill the geopolitical role imposed on it by outsiders. In this comprehensive look at one of the world's last colonies, Robert E. Rogers evokes the dramatic but little-known saga of Guam's people - from the precontact era to Spanish domination, from colonial rule under a U.S. naval government to the massive military invasions of World War II, and on through the booms and busts, the scandals and victories experienced by Guamanians in their still-unfulfilled quest to regain control of their future.

Genres: History

392 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1995

Reviews

[Ambrose Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lived on Guam through the 1970's into the early 1980's and often wondered if I'd made a mistake in leaving. My Guamanian friends all claimed I'd come back, after all, Guam was a laid back paradise uncommon in our world. I will admit life on Guam was laid back, but it was not a paradise. The book seemed to down play the turbulent 70's with horrific crime, school shootings, drug wars, earth quakes, and typhoons. After reading the rest of the story about political corruption, the teacher strike, the University of Guam and the hospital losing accreditation, not to mention more bad weather, I knew I'd made the right choice in returning to the USA. Destiny's Landfall is a great history of Guam. This book is well researched, heavily footnoted and contains an excellent bibliography. Five thumbs up.

[C.J. Urquico · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend to take the time to read this book. Worth it if you would like to learn more about the history of Guam.

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's disheartening to know that many of our traditions was destroyed and lost through war. But when it comes to war, there is nothing nice about it. Overall, I enjoyed reading and learning about my heritage.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

you guys got fucked. but yeah - i'm not sure if magellan or k-mart was worse.

[Chirag Bhojwani · Rating 1 out of 5]

Guam history through the eyes of the colonizers. A waste of your time and disgrace to history.

[Virginia Hanning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hood overview of the history of Guam