Worker in the Cane: A Puerto Rican Life History

by Sidney W. Mintz

This is the absorbing story of Don Taso, a Puerto Rican sugar cane worker, and of his family and the village in which he lives. Told largely in his own words, it is a vivid account of the drastic changes taking place in Puerto Rico, as he sees them. Worker in the Cane is both a profound social document and a moving spiritual testimony. Don Taso portrays his harsh childhood, his courtship and early marriage, his grim struggle to provide for his family. He tells of his radical political beliefs and union activity during the Depression and describes his hardships when he was blacklisted because of his outspoken convictions. Embittered by his continuing poverty and by a serious illness, he undergoes a dramatic cure and becomes converted to a Protestant revivalist sect. In the concluding chapters the author interprets Don Taso's experience in the light of the changing patterns of life in rural Puerto Rico.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, History

314 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Sidney W. Mintz was Research Professor and William L. Straus, Jr., Professor, Emeritus, in the Department of Anthropology at Johns Hopkins University. He was the author of Sweetness and Power: The Place of Sugar in Modern History and Tasting Food, Tasting Freedom: Excursions into Eating, Power, and the Past, among others.

Reviews

[Julian Dones · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me longer than I wanted to read it but I fully enjoyed this book. A wonderful anthropological work of art which unfolds the life of a rural cane worker, Taso, in the first half of the 20c in PR.

Full of cultural accounts and historical references that gives a unique insight of the struggles and pursuit of the working class in the barrio of Jauca, a southern coastal town of the island.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about PR culture, history and economics were in si CB a unique time; and how it evolved by the impact the US culture and economic had on the island.

Wonderful book. Truly enjoyed!

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good antropologia about the rapid changes in life for those living in a quickly Americanizing Puerto Rico. Sometimes, since the bulk of this book is transcribed narration of a man, the book becomes a bit of a slog to read because of repetitive content or sentence structure. In particular, I found chapter six to be particularly grating. Much of it I could not put down either because of how interested I was in the contents. I'd say anyone interested in postcolonial Latin American or Caribbean history would get a lot out of reading this.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ethnography, not my favorite, but not a snore either.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting look at a man caught up in a society that is transforming from a traditional way of life to one largely influenced by capitalism and American corporations.

[Dayline Jusino-Velez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading about Puerto Rico and the struggles of the cane workers through one of their own.

[Anna P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent read for a class with commentary relevant to today.