A Brief History of the Caribbean

Facts on File

A Brief History of the Caribbean is an overview of the historical events that have taken place and shaped the islands of the Caribbean Sea - beginning with an account of the indigenous populations before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492 and ending with the major political and economic developments in early 2007 in Aruba, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico, among others.The historical perspective is enriched by allusions to the culture, manners, and morals of particular periods, often highlighting the connection between literary activities and politics, such as the Negritude Movement, and literary figures and politicians, such as Juan Bosch in the Dominican Republic. Complementing the narrative are sidebars with important and unusual information on topics such as women pirates, meals eaten by slaves, and the cultural preference for strong leaders in the region. The authors attempt to give readers a multicultural perspective that will allow them to understand events from both an insider's and an outsider's viewpoints.


Revolvers and Pistolas, Vaqueros and Caballeros: Debunking the Old West

ABC-CLIO

Early Anglo settlers in the Old West crafted negative images of Latinos in part to help justify the takeover of land occupied by Mexicans and Spaniards at the time. Unfortunately, these depictions were perpetuated throughout the 20th century in art, popular culture, and media … eventually reshaping the narrative of the American West to the exclusion of the non-Anglo people. This book contrasts dominant lore with historical reality to provide a broad overview of the history and contributions of Latinos in the Old West.

Author D. H. Figueredo sets out to debunk the myths and falsehoods of the American West by chronicling the cultural perceptions that led to such historical inaccuracies. Through spellbinding accounts, chapters address such topics as the legends behind the caballeros, Mexican culture in the Old West, and the search for cities of gold in the Southwest. Arranged chronologically and thematically, the book examines how popular culture diminished the role of the Mexican vaqueros and illustrates how the image of the Anglo cowboy became the iconic symbol of the Old West.