21 books
—
3 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Island People: The Caribbean and the World” as Want to Read:
Island People: The Caribbean and the World
by
A masterwork of travel literature and of history: voyaging from Cuba to Jamaica, Puerto Rico to Trinidad, Haiti to Barbados, and islands in between, Joshua Jelly-Schapiro offers a kaleidoscopic portrait of each society, its culture and politics, connecting this region’s common heritage to its fierce grip on the world’s imagination.
From the moment Columbus gazed out from th ...more
From the moment Columbus gazed out from th ...more
Get A Copy
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Island People,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about Island People
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Island People: The Caribbean and the World
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I give this six stars because it is so packed with information about Caribbean (outstanding on Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and Dominican Republic) history, music and literature. And Jelly-Schapiro is a charming but dorky travel guide. But I'll subtract a star because the writing is sometimes baroque (there were a handful of times when I lost track of nested clauses). Honestly, this is probably a four star book for most but I really loved it once I got into it.
...more
A comprehensive and intriguing look at the nations of the Caribbean, their shifting identities through the centuries, and their music, politics, religions, cutltures, and people. Jelly-Schapiro delves deep into the sometimes ugly history of such beautiful places, as well as thoroughly examining what role the Caribban has played in shaping the present world. But you don ‘t have to take my word for it – it’s also highly recommended by Marlon James! I’ll read anything he tells me to read.
Backlist b ...more
Backlist b ...more
The Caribbean Basin contains islands that have been the birth place and residence for countless influential authors, musicians, political leaders, revolutionary thinkers and poets.
Joshua Jelly-Schapiro's "Island People" adds to an already extensive volume of books written about the region's lands, history and people. What makes this book a worthy addition to the extant body of literature on the Caribbean is the fact that in one book you can read about the impact of:
1) The Caribbean's leading art ...more
Joshua Jelly-Schapiro's "Island People" adds to an already extensive volume of books written about the region's lands, history and people. What makes this book a worthy addition to the extant body of literature on the Caribbean is the fact that in one book you can read about the impact of:
1) The Caribbean's leading art ...more
Informative book about several of the Caribbean islands. However, I often found it difficult reading. Apparently the author was working on his doctorate thesis, which I´m sure this book was a part of that effort. This book was written for academia: wordy and lengthy prose.
The countries the author writes about are the Greater Antilles (Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola consisting of Dominican Republic and Haiti) and the Lesser Antilles( Cayman, Barbados, Grenada, Barbuda, Montserrat, Antigua ...more
The countries the author writes about are the Greater Antilles (Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola consisting of Dominican Republic and Haiti) and the Lesser Antilles( Cayman, Barbados, Grenada, Barbuda, Montserrat, Antigua ...more
I rarely give 5 stars to books but this was a stand-out. Partly because I learnt so much about the history and culture of countries in the Caribbean from Jamaica to Dominica, Cuba to Haiti, large islands to small islands. Partly because this is clearly a work of a learned and passionate person. Partly because the story telling is so full of humanity.
I picked it up accidentally because like many people, Cuba is on my travel list but know I'm in a deeply ambivalent situation. Many more Caribbean ...more
I picked it up accidentally because like many people, Cuba is on my travel list but know I'm in a deeply ambivalent situation. Many more Caribbean ...more
This book is not just a travelogue of the Caribbean. As Joshua Jelly-Schapiro arrives at each island, he offers some background history, it's culture as well as a look at the contemporary lifestyle and politics of the place.
It was interesting to see how the various locations visited (Jamaica, Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Montserrat, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Martinique, and Trinidad) differ in many ways but also have their similarities.
One thing that is missing is a map ...more
It was interesting to see how the various locations visited (Jamaica, Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Montserrat, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Martinique, and Trinidad) differ in many ways but also have their similarities.
One thing that is missing is a map ...more
I had a hard time with this book. Written by a geographer, it only includes one map and it was made in 1701! Chapter qualities vary from place to place. The book is a mixture of a travelogue with a mix of history, cultural (with an emphasis on music) and literary studies. When he overemphasizes the music of a place, like he did in Jamaica, I felt lost. Other times when he had the right mixes of all parts, like in Cuba and Hispaniola, the book seems to work quite well. Other times he brings out a
...more
This is an interesting and accessible history of some of the Caribbean islands. The author is at his best when he narrates his adventures on the islands. I did skip a couple of offshoots from his history telling. They were a little too lengthy (e.g., history of West Indians in London). An important work on this topic and a fun armchair adventure.
May 06, 2019
Richard
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in the "Black Atlantic"
Recommended to Richard by:
TLS, my own interest and travel
I hope this author is onto the Windrush story, the execrable treatment of Caribbean immigrants and their British-born children who since 2010 (PM May's term as the Home Office Secretary, 2010-16) have been deported, denied services, and otherwise mistreated under Mrs. May's "hostile environment" policies. Enoch Powell's notorious attitude was seconded by Eric Clapton in the '60s, among others (when he gave his rant, a member of the audience shouted "You didn't shoot the sheriff" {Clapton had cov
...more
This a remarkable survey of the history and culture of the Caribbean basin. It begins in Jamaica and works it's way around the arc of Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and the Antilles down to Trinidad. Jelly-Shapiro has had a love of and fascination with the region that predates his academic training which has also suited him for the analysis he does in his travels. This makes the work an interesting combination of passion and erudition. At some points, when describing his musical or leftist heroes
...more
Excellent travelogue on Caribbean islands: Jamaica, Cuba, Puerto Rico, DR, Haiti, Cayman, Barbados, Antigua, Barbuda, Trinidad, Dominica, Grenada, Martinique, etc. Travel centers on music (Jamaican reggae, Cuban everything, Trinidadian calypso) and the author's search for the origins of literary figures and intellectuals (V.S. Naipul, C.L.R. James, Jamaica Kincaid, Jean Rhys, Frantz Fanon). But you also learn about politics, history and culture. A fascinating compendium, he ponders each country
...more
The focus of the book is centered far too much on music- although an important part of many of the islands identities there is so much more to these nations! I was expecting a more rounded approach but the minute details on various musicians, to the detriment of other historical and notable figures lost it for me
2.5, really, perhaps, for being fairly comprehensive but lacking the rest for condescension & overcompensation. His tone is (to me) insufferable for solidly half the book. No thank you.
A truly excellent book which I enjoyed the more I read it, even though this might not make much sense given that it covers different islands. Starting out with Jamaica, the island I know best, I wasn't quite sure about the book because I couldn't understand the rationale of what was covered and what was not covered. The book is a mixture of history, travel anecdotes, relatively recent current affairs which differs by island. If you are looking for something that is more clearly one than the oth
...more
I bought this book thinking it was written by a native of the Caribbean, only to learn in the first few pages that the author grew up in Vermont and became enamored with the region through a teenage fixation on Bob Marley. Oh well, he is up-front about his biases at least, which may or may not be responsible for their frequent appearances. I was hoping for more of a historical perspective on the islands and their interactions, but the book is chopped up into chapters or groups of chapters on eac
...more
I'm not entirely sure what to make of this... As a mix of travelogue and history, it unevenly details the culture of islands across the Caribbean. Many of the sections focus upon a particular genre of music, though nothing more contemporary than reggae (which is the obsession of the first section on Jamaica). I know it's a staple of the genre, but it rubs me the wrong way to read of people described as broadly "lovely" or some other adjective describing the bland goodness of foreigners, and ther
...more
I was excited to read this book, and I liked the intro. But for someone who, in the intro, talks a lot about the racism that has impacted the Caribbean, he paces A LOT of xenophobia throughout this book. The first part made my skin craw - I don’t think he’s allowed to judge whether or not Jamaica’s branding is a good thing. It was very centered around himself. I think you can find better books if you truly want to learn history of the Caribbean
Comprehensive and fascinating tour of the major and minor islands of the Caribbean. Jelly-Schapiro has a deep knowledge and respect the history of these islands and their people. He is the rare combination of excellent historian, travel writer, journalist and genial companion. You will learn a hell of a lot from this book and you will likely never set foot into an all-inclusive resort again.
In taking time to learn about the culture and history of Trinidad and Tobago, I'm really glad I picked up the book at my library. I learned a lot about Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Haiti, St.Lucia and other surrounding islands in the Caribbean.
Each unique in their own history, struggle, economy, colonization and fight for Independence, each island beautiful and rich in history.
...more
Each unique in their own history, struggle, economy, colonization and fight for Independence, each island beautiful and rich in history.
...more
Absolutely packed full of information on the Caribbean and the impact the region has had on the wider world, it was like a candy store of new ideas and historic facts. Though dorky and an enticing tour, initially the writing style took me a while to get into, with his penchant for run-on sentences.
But when I got into it, I was hooked and struggled to put the book down!
But when I got into it, I was hooked and struggled to put the book down!
More musically focused that I'd choose, but excellent series of personal vignettes, island-focused social/musical/political history, and broader analyses. Makes you want to read more (especially CLR James and VS Naipaul) and travel to the Caribbean.
...more
The social and cultural history of the Caribbean islands and their peoples is told from the author's experiences. Some political history is also covered. This gives background of the region and the transition of its peoples.
...more
An interesting and concise account of some of the Caribbean islands' history from the past leading up to the present, with some interesting contemporary musical anecdotes as well.
...more
...more
Sometimes a travelogue, sometimes a Ph.D. thesis. Frequently engaging, especially on Caribbean musical and literary tradition. Uneven treatment of different island, but how could it be anything else?
Informative interview with the author:
https://lithub.com/the-caribbean-belo... ...more
https://lithub.com/the-caribbean-belo... ...more
Great nonfiction and great look at the Americas. Highly recommend if you're interested in learning more about colonialism, music, and backgrounds of Caribbean peoples.
...more
Self-aware but not apologetic; just the right amount of history, pop culture, commentary and the author’s personal passions
I received this book for free as part of a first reads promotion
Point at a the western part of Cuba on a map of the Caribbean then slowly move to the south and east across the Greater, then Lesser Antilles towards Trinidad. The space in between is a series of explorations into the people, especially the writers and musicians who have created these interconnected and distinct landscapes. geography. writing.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers also enjoyed
Joshua Jelly-Schapiro is a geographer and writer whose books include "Island People: The Caribbean and the World," and "Nonstop Metropolis: A New York City Atlas," which he co-edited with Rebecca Solnit. His essays on arts, history, culture, and politics have appeared in the New York Review of Books, New York, Harper's, The Nation, Artforum, The Believer, and on newyorker.com. Educated at Yale and
...more
Related Articles
It's time to get in that last stretch of winter reading and prepare our Want to Read shelves for spring. Luckily for us, February brings a...
45 likes · 10 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
