A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbados
Exploring the Caribbean's Colonial Past and Its Impact
Richard Ligon author Karen Ordahl Kupperman editor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Hackett Publishing Co, Inc
Published:12th Sep '11
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This book offers a deep exploration of the Caribbean's history, focusing on the sugar economy and the African slavery complex, as seen in A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbados.
In A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbados, the author presents a detailed chronicle of the Caribbean's natural history, focusing on the early colonial period. The narrative documents the experimental implementation of the sugar and African slavery complex, which would define the region for centuries and lead to profound social and economic consequences. This historical account provides insight into the intricate dynamics that shaped the Caribbean, revealing the complexities of colonial power and exploitation.
The text is hailed as the most significant English-language work on the Caribbean from the seventeenth century, offering a unique perspective on the development of the sugar economy and its reliance on enslaved labor. The author, Ligon, meticulously details the environmental and social transformations that occurred as a result of these practices, allowing readers to grasp the broader implications of colonialism in the Atlantic world.
Scholar Kupperman’s introduction contextualizes Ligon's work within the larger framework of Atlantic history, making it accessible and engaging for contemporary readers. Her thorough analysis not only highlights the importance of A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbados but also situates it within the ongoing discourse about colonialism and its legacies. The accompanying notes further enhance the reader's understanding, making this text a vital resource for anyone interested in the history of the Caribbean and its enduring impact.
"Ligon's True and Exact History is perhaps the most important document regarding English colonization efforts in the 17th-century Caribbean. The book offers a wealth of information about the natural world--Barbados's climate, flora, and fauna--as well as social and economic conditions on the island in the late 1640s. Scholars have long used the text as a source for tracing the development of sugar and slavery, in particular. Although previously available in a facsimile edition, Kupperman's is the first modern, edited version of the text, and it is a most welcome publication. Kupperman, one of the foremost scholars of the 17th-century Atlantic world, has written an excellent introduction that outlines what is known about Ligon and provides context on issues ranging from early modern ideas about the environment, to conditions in Barbados during the tobacco era, to the rise of sugar and the island's place in England's emerging empire. Throughout, Kupperman provides detailed, useful notes that make the text accessible to students and others. . . . This is a first-rate example of historical editing. Highly recommended." --M. Mulcahy, Loyola College in Maryland, in CHOICE
A foundational text for the history and literature of the early Caribbean and the early Americas. Kupperman's expert Introduction and annotations . . . make this important text come alive for scholarly and undergraduate audiences alike. In all aspects, this edition is a model of historical and textual scholarship. --Ralph Robert Bauer, University of Maryland
Scholars, students, and general readers will applaud and greatly appreciate the context Kupperman provides in her highly informative, insightful Introduction and notes. This volume offers readers the opportunity to explore Ligon's world and times, when sugar and black slavery were dramatically and aggressively transforming Caribbean society and contributing to English economic, maritime, and imperial strength. --David Barry Gaspar, Duke University
ISBN: 9781603846219
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 341g
208 pages