Puerto Rico in the American Century: A History since 1898

by César J. Ayala, Rafael Bernabe

Offering a comprehensive overview of Puerto Rico's history and evolution since the installation of U.S. rule, Cesar Ayala and Rafael Bernabe connect the island's economic, political, cultural, and social past. Puerto Rico in the American Century explores Puerto Ricans in the diaspora as well as the island residents, who experience an unusual and daily conundrum: they consider themselves a distinct people but are part of the American political system; they have U.S. citizenship but are not represented in the U.S. Congress; and they live on land that is neither independent nor part of the United States.

Highlighting both well-known and forgotten figures from Puerto Rican history, Ayala and Bernabe discuss a wide range of topics, including literary and cultural debates and social and labor struggles that previous histories have neglected. Although the island's political economy remains dependent on the United States, the authors also discuss Puerto Rico's situation in light of world economies. Ayala and Bernabe argue that the inability of Puerto Rico to shake its colonial legacy reveals the limits of free-market capitalism, a break from which would require a renewal of the long tradition of labor and social activism in Puerto Rico in connection with similar currents in the United States.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, United States

445 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 11, 2007

Reviews

[Lauren Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a history of "Puerto Rico" after 1898 but a history of its political, labor and cultural movements/parties. It is rather as if a history of the U.S. was a relation of the histories of the Republican party, the AFL-CIO, the Harlem Renaissance, etc.. All of the aspects the authors cover are essential but I felt that they lost Puerto Ricans in their history of Puerto Rico (at least if they were not activists). When they wrote about individuals (writers, activists) it was always in relationship to their politics. While I learned a lot, I did also find myself bored with the pile of changing party acronyms (PCI,PIP, PPD, PNP) and ended up skimming towards the end.

[Jonathan Psotka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good history of Puerto Rico, with a focus on the island's economy in relation to world market forces, along with a close look at its ramifications on the island's politics, labor, society, and culture. The book also looked closely at Puerto Rico's organized resistance, whether it was labor unions, independence movements, or leftist organizations.

[Chris Larlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and others as part of a personal project to develop a more informed opinion about the possibility of Puerto Rican statehood or independence. It is by far the most academic and comprehensive treatment I’ve read to that end.
As someone with very little previous knowledge of Puerto Rican politics and culture I admit I was sometimes struggling to stay above water in the various names, events, and works of art and writing.
The authors are unrepentant lefties. They place the blame for Puerto Rico’s economic ills squarely on the shoulders of American (and global) capital and the politicians who cater to capital, and explicitly call for a “program of planned economic and social reconstruction.”
Of course this book was written well before Donald Trump became President.

[Sara Tran · Rating 2 out of 5]

More a political critique of America’s impact on Puerto Rico. Up to the 1940s there’s some historical data, but it’s mostly focused on the politics not the foundations of the common wealth. I was anticipating an anthropological basis. This is not that. A better title would be a political history of social movements in Puerto Rico.

[John Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely well researched and well structured. The book's organization and style makes the reading easy to follow and understand. In many cases the authors offer their own opinions and interpretations, but previously gave enough information for the reader to form a different opinion if they so choose. Though the authors deal with political and cultural developments separately, the reader can easily see the way that politics and culture have affected each other throughout Puerto Rican history.

One of the great things about this book is that it is written by Puerto Rican historians. Ayala and Bernabe don't hide that they are part of the history that they are re-telling and have imbibed some of if not all the thoughts and feelings of Puerto Ricans. The history is told, then, not simply to relate history to the reader but to offer a foundation from which to address the Puerto Rican situation and life, particularly in relationship with the United States.

The sustained detail is rather impressive. Readers can certainly feel like they are part of the story and are getting to know the characters involved in the developing history of Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans in the United States.

Puerto Ricans, especially ones concerned with how to be Puerto Rican in this day and age and what our political goals should be, will find this book a good conversation partner at the least. For anyone else, this book provides a very solid real-to-life look at an often forgotten minority in the American context.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Book. Like I said before reads alot like a textbook. Overall the information is wonderful. I learned a lot about the history of where I came from.

[Gospel Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

For History class

[Ariadna73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another useful book to really understand why puerto ricans are so complex people; wanting to have everything; but also capable of giving their time with no sense of selfishness.