The Puerto Ricans: A Documentary History

by Kal Wagenheim (editor), Olga Jiménez de Wagenheim (Editor), Luis Martínez-Fernández (Editor)

50th anniversary edition 1973-2023. This expanded edition covers 500 years of Puerto Rico's history, providing a kaleidoscopic view of the island's past. It begins with a preface by the editors celebrating the 50th anniversary of the book's first printing and includes new sections on the debt crisis and the end of the bankruptcy procedure in 2022, the COVID pandemic and its consequences, the hurricanes from Maria to Fiona and their aftermath, The 2022 elections and the upcoming plebiscite.

Genres: History

432 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1975

Reviews

[Sandy from Alaska Colón · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. The history of Puerto Rico is told through essays, letters and speeches. I especially liked the speeches by Luis Muñoz, the first Govenor of Puerto Rico and responsible for the commonwealth. My heart melted when I read the things he said.

I bought this book about 10 years ago when I visited Peurto Rico.

[Jonathan Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow...the book barely got 4 stars? I'm shocked.

I bought this book years ago when I was doing some research (I was curious about my PR heritage and this is a pretty well-known and available book). I thought it was very informative and well researched.

The book gets a little preachy at times but the Wagenheims are very passionate about the subject and it doesn't at all detract from the info.

I would recommend this book for anyone, not just Puerto-Ricans, but realistically I know it will appeal only to a small public.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A history book that moves along as a documentary does; developing the many arguments on the state of Puerto Rico, bringing us throughout the islands history with the words of the people who are a part of it, and expressing the many aspects of our culture. For the many Puerto Rican people who find that their history is something that is not as accessible to them as it is for others, I would recommend this book. It is an easy and engaging read, with many interesting insights into out people.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally got this book in college - it was one of the books for some class or another that I never read during the semester, but always held onto since I felt I should read it as it's part of my heritage. Started reading it again almost 5 years ago (way after college was done) and it's not a normal book to read because it discusses issues and events through contemporaneous documents - interviews, news articles, papers. In a way that's great because you get to read the history the way it was viewed at the time (of course some language from back then makes you cringe) but it makes the book disjointed as well. I finally finished it and think it's a fantastic resource to understanding modern (post Spanish American war) Puerto Rico (although there is lots on pre as well). So glad I made my way through it!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book to be more informed on my heritage. I've read it a couple of times and still find new things to look up fromit al the time. It's a great book to give you an overall look at puerto Rico's history