A Continent of Islands: Searching for the Caribbean Destiny

by Mark Kurlansky

"A penetrating analysis of the social, political, sexual, and cultural worlds that exist behind the four-color Caribbean travel posters. . . . Page after page of highly original insights."-- Kirkus Reviews





In this richly detailed portrait of the individual countries and peoples of the Caribbean, Mark Kurlansky brings to life a society and culture often kept hidden from foreigners-the arts, history, politics, and economics of the region, as well as the vivid day-to-day lives of its citizens. From the Newyoriccans of Levittown, Puerto Rico; to the state-salaried popular musicians of Cuba; to the practitioners of good political hurricanemanship (who know how to stretch statistics to bring in relief funds), A Continent of Islands paints portraits that will prove equally fascinating to tourists who know the Caribbean only as a string of beach resorts, and to readers curious about U.S. efforts to influence its neighbors.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Travel

324 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1992

About the author

Mark Kurlansky is an American journalist and author who has written a number of books of fiction and nonfiction. His 1997 book, Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World (1997), was an international bestseller and was translated into more than fifteen languages. His book Nonviolence: Twenty-five Lessons From the History of a Dangerous Idea (2006) was the nonfiction winner of the 2007 Dayton Literary Peace Prize.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

After making a couple of cold weather escapes to Caribbean islands, I decided that I didn't want to be the ugly American tourist that knows nothing about the places I visit other than I want that rum drink you people are known for, and yes-- now, please. I began to look around for a comprehensive yet layperson-friendly history of the Caribbean. Imagine my surprise when I found this gem at my local library's used book sale. I was excited to dig in, but I am also just as excited to finally have finished this book. While this was a great foundational read, it was a bit of a slog. I found myself wishing it had been more of a country-by-country summary or big picture, linear history starting pre-settlement and working up to the present. Instead this book examines the region through issues like hurricanes, AIDS, religion, colonialism, and politics, each one typically centered in one particular island nation or territory. The issue chapters are broken up by more personal narratives and experiences from the author. It's not a bad structure, and I enjoyed the book-- but reading it over such a long period of time, I'm not sure how much of the content will stick with me, and it wasn't something I couldn't wait to open each night. Often my eyes would droop before I got anywhere close to my usual goal of finishing roughly a chapter per night. The book also felt slightly dated: I found myself wondering if the early '90s commentary still held true in today's world. Still, for any visitor that wants to dig in to the people and culture behind the perfect white sand beaches, this is a worthwhile volume.

[Michelle Nijhuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book more than 20 years ago, shortly after it came out, and read it again during a recent trip to the Caribbean - it holds up well. Still the only popular book I know of that looks at the Caribbean as a region, and faces its tragic history. Its episodic structure - thematic chapters alternating with shorter vignettes - seems just right for its subject, which is divided by geography, language, race and much else but still has so much in common.

[John Benson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of the places discussed in this book, I have only been to Puerto Rico, so it is hard for me to judge whether this book still holds up on the ground. Kurlansky writes about common issues that had an impact on the different Caribbean islands and the Guyanas, which are seen more as part of the Caribbean than South America. Chapters like the one on AIDS seem more dated than others that I think would still be current concerns. I think he wrote it in such a way that while it is a non-fiction book it works like a novel that would hold true over time. It helped me understand this "continent of islands" more fully.

[Carol Mann Agency]

From Kirkus Reviews

A penetrating analysis of the social, political, sexual, and cultural worlds that exist behind the four-color Caribbean travel posters. Kurlansky, who reports on the Caribbean for The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times, etc., has wide-ranging interests. Here, he discusses such diverse (and unexpected) aspects of his subject as the politics of hurricanes--how island leaders and their rivals take advantage of natural disasters to further their aims; the effects of AIDS on sexual practices throughout the region--the sections on Castro's handling of the AIDS emergency are particularly engrossing; and the impact of American Fundamentalist proselytizing on traditional West Indian religious groups. The author leavens his material by alternating these in-depth discussions with amusing vignettes of some of his own experiences below the Tropic of Cancer. His description of the arrival of the first McDonald's outlet on Barbados, for example, is hilarious: The Bajans, originally excited at the prospect of Big Macs, considered the burgers disappointing ``little bitty thing[s]'' when they finally appeared. One of Kurlansky's major themes is the danger inherent in a tourism-based island economy--which he believes could lead to the corruption of West Indian culture. He speaks eloquently about the cultural roots of the Caribbean peoples--though he seems not fully aware of the discrepancies that lurk there--pointing out, for example, that ``There are those Caribbeans, usually lighter- skinned, who argue that Caribbeans...use their history as an excuse...to avoid accepting responsibility....Even this is part of the conditioning of their history....To fight this mentality is to fight the legacies of history.'' Should be read by every West Indies traveler and even by old Caribbean hands, who will find here page after page of highly original insights.

(Black & white photos--not seen.) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first experience with Kurlansky, a writer I have been very interested in reading. I'm not sure this was the best introduction. In this one, it feels like Kurlansky is trying to tackle too much. This book feels disjointed and all over the place. As he makes clear in the beginning, the Caribbean is hard to define and encompasses a variety of nations and cultures. It's clear that this book lacks a cohesive focus. Kurlansky attempts to cover the politics, religions, music, women's rights, AIDS epidemic and more for every country that he has defined as part of the Caribbean. What we end up with is an unclear picture of a lot of things. I think this would have worked better for me if Kurlansky had focused on one country or one issue across countries. But still, it was well-written and managed to hold my interest most of the time. I'll definitely be giving Kurlansky another shot.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 1992, I was constantly wondering how this would read if Kurlansky were to update it for the two decades that have passed. The biggest flaw is the same problem that the islands have in trying to achieve some kind of federation: they are sufficiently different from one another that it was difficult to jump from one island to another in the chapters, which are loosely organized by subject. Nevertheless, it is a convenient survey. Kurlansky's suggested reading list at the end of the book runs to 11 pages.

[Parag · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. I liked Kurlansky's Basque book the best, and SALT was pretty good, but this one was a bit uneven. Still, reading some of his observations about the Caribbean, particularly environmental and anti-colonial histories, just got me interested in reading more.

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kurlansky's A Continent of Islands does succeed as a history or a travelogue and it hardly current, but if you want to get the flavor of Caribbean history without investing the time it takes to read through Eric Williams, this book is worth ordering.

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kurlansky's A Continent of Islands does succeed as a history or a travelogue and it hardly current, but if you want to get the flavor of Caribbean history without investing the time it takes to read through Eric Williams, this book is worth ordering.

[Lisa Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting political and cultural portrait of the Caribbean.

[Topher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had read good reviews on some of his later stuff, thought I'd start with the beginning of his stuff.

It was a decent read. Interesting.

[Barbara]

Disturbing, sad, only read a dozen pages--

[Dan Trubman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, but a little dated.