A History of Barbados

by Hilary McD. Beckles

Highly acclaimed when it first appeared in 1990, this general history of Barbados traces the events and ideas that have shaped the collaborative experience of all the islands inhabitants. In this second edition, Hilary Beckles updates the text to reflect the considerable number of writings recently published on Barbados. He presents new insights and analyses key events in a lucid and provocative style which will appeal to all those who have an interest in the island's past and present. Using a vigorous approach, Hilary Beckles examines how the influences of the Amerindians, European colonisation, the sugar industry, the African slave trade, emancipation, the civil rights movement, independence in 1966 and nationalism have shaped contemporary Barbados.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

338 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 1990

About the author

Sir Hilary McDonald Beckles KA (born 11 August 1955) is a Barbadian historian, he is the current vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Committee.

Educated at the University of Hull in England, Beckles began his academic career at UWI, and was granted a personal professorship at the age of 37, becoming the youngest in the university's history. He was named pro-vice-chancellor and chairman of UWI's Board for Undergraduate Studies in 1998, and in 2002 was named principal of the university's Cave Hill campus. Although his focus has mainly been on Afro-Caribbean history, especially the economic and social impacts of colonialism and the Atlantic slave trade, Beckles has also had a longstanding involvement with West Indian cricket, and has previously served on the board of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Academic snoooooooooooze

[Erik Champenois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not very engaging, this is a dry book that covers Barbados' history without much contextual analysis, background information, or explanation of regional/international dynamics. Yet it remains a useful overview of the island nation's history. I wish there was a more engaging text with stronger narrative and analytical depth - episodes like the formation and dissolution of the West Indies Federation are covered quite inadequately - but in its absence, this book will do for a reader interested in a general overview of the history of Barbados.

A few things that I learned: Barbados has had a very conservative history, with more radical elements being politically marginalized and not receiving much popular support. Grantley Adams, the premier of Barbados and then the only Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation, was the archetypical conservative labor leader, but future governments continued that tradition of conservative moderation. Even in the era of slavery, Barbados had fewer revolts than other countries in the region. As a more conservative government, Barbados also played a part in the U.S. invasion of Grenada following its communist takeover in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Barbados has also played a significant role in regional infrastructure, from the West Indies Federation to today's CARICOM, and under Mia Mottley's leadership especially on climate change today, Barbados continues to punch its weight in regional and international forums.

[Andrew Theobald · Rating 3 out of 5]

A necessary history of Barbados - the first one written by a professional historian (it was originally published in 1990 and an updated second edition appeared in 2006) - but one that is far too heavily focused on the economic elements of the island's story and aimed entirely at an academic audience.

[M Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is written for current Barbadians to explain how they got here. It is not written for the descendants of white Barbadians who left or for outsiders who wish to understand why Barbados is one of the more tranquil islands or why the death rates on the islands were so high. In short, it wasn't very useful for me and likely won't be for you.

[Rashaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

TBD

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a history of Barbados and for that it is good. Everyone needs to start somewhere and if you are just starting your studies of the island of Barbados, this is a good place to start. Not fascinating but thorough in it's overview of the history of the island.