Product Description
This volume provides a detailed chronological historical analysis from the earliest days of settlement by the Arawaks to the overthrow and execution of the revolutionary Prime Minister, Maurice Bishop in 1981, right up to present day. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Simply excellent
Is this book worth reading? If you are from Grenada, the answer is "Of course". It is a well-written book that is a great history of your country. It also is the only history of Grenada written recently - 2003 - and the only one in print, at least as far as I can tell. You are lucky to have such a book available.

If you are not from Grenada and want to know something about the history of the Caribbean and maybe Grenada in particular, this book is a superb way to satisfy your curiosity. The story was written with the people of Grenada in mind as readers, and this shows at times. Beverley Steele, as she puts it, is a Jamaican-born Grenadian, one who clearly loves her adopted country. This does not mean that the book is merely a tribute to Grenada though.

Beverley Steele has written a careful, thorough and interesting history of the islands making up the country Grenada. A great deal of careful work and thought went into writing this book. Research in the United Kingdom's archives illuminates parts of the early history. The works referenced include many that are not readily available. Footnotes are available at the back of each chapter, there is a substantial bibliography, and an index is provided. Her judgments appear to be sound and well reasoned.

This is not a bloodless history text though. Ms. Steele has informed opinions about many of the developments in Grenada, from the names for Amerindians to the American assistance to Grenada or invasion of it (depending on your point of view) in the 1980s.

Some of the discussions are more detailed than you might want to read if you are a casual reader. While I personally don't have any issues about using Caribs as the name for the Amerindians on the Caribbean islands in the 1600s, it is interesting to read about why the names Kalinago and Galibi might be more accurate.

The discussion of locations probably is the major way in which the intended audience of Grenadians gets in the way of a foreigner reading this book. At times, Ms. Steele locates things by saying something was near where a particular building or street corner is located today. If you aren't familiar with locations in Grenada, that's not much help. That is a minor issue though.

Isaac Dookhan's history of the U.S. Virgin Islands is the other history of Caribbean islands that is closest to this one. They both are careful, thoughtful and informative histories by local people associated with universities.

This book is a delight to read partly though because it is an encounter with Ms. Steele, who does not use the first person in the text but reveals much in her discussion of developments and her judgments about the participants' behavior.
... Read more

Product Description
On 19 October 1983, the Caribbean island of Grenada captured international headlines when revolutionary Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and many of his colleagues were killed, in a confrontation resulting in American intervention. This text examines past turmoil in Grenada by focusing on six episodes in the island's history, including: the European destruction of the first Amerindian inhabitants; the rebellion against the rule of the French and then the British colonialists; the disgrace of Gairy; and the demise of Maurice Bishop and the PRG. The book shows how the socio-economic and political background to each conflict holds the key to its resolution and asks whether Grenadians can now become masters of their own destiny, rather than subject to external agencies and groups. ... Read more

Product Description
On Friday 21 October the leaders of the six small nations forming the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States voted to intervene militarily to restore order in Grenada. As none possessed the necessary forces, a request for help was formally presented. The United States, already fearing for its 1,000 or so US citizens present there, decided to intervene. Lee Russell and Albert Mendez recount the story of the US invasion of Grenada in 1983, with many contemporary photographs and eight full page colour plates by Paul Hannon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A Medical Student from Grenada
I happen to have been one of the medical students taken hostage in the Grenada war.I am writing a book myself about our incredible, untold story and look forward to reading this one.

A Medical Student from Grenada
I happen to have been one of the medical students taken hostage in the Grenada war.I am writing a book myself about our incredible, untold story and look forward to reading this one.

The best short-reference on the 1983 Invasion of Grenada
If you need a quick review of the U.S. lead invasion of Soviet communist-troubled Grenada in 1983, this is your book! Until Major MarkAdkin's book came out (Urgent Fury: the invasion of Grenada), this was THEbest reference on a short battle that was the turning point in the ColdWar. While the U.S. military likes to take its time going to war to set upneat, Clausewitzian set-piece battles, the world was being engulfed by warsof "revolution" backed by Soviet/Cuban communist advisors, fundsand armaments--when Grenada began to collapse into anarchy, Presiden Reagendecided to go as we are and "jump and take our lumps". This finelittle book depicts the hasty preparations needed to fight modern no-noticewars and the fantastic flexibility and resolve inherent in America's eliteAirborne/Rangers to change from airlanding to parachute airdrop while inflight en route when the runway was discovered to be blocked. The USAFCombat Talon pilot in charge also thought quickly, saw that Cubananti-aircraft guns could not depress far enough and led the other C-130Hercules down to 500 feet or below so the Rangers and two 82d AirborneCombat Engineers could jump and secure the Point Salines runway/airfield.Its too bad Hollywood didn't pick up this book and READ before making suchatrocious depictions like "Heartbreak Ridge" when U.S. ArmyRangers lead the way, fighting, dying and rescuing the hostages not anymarines who up north landed unopposed.Maybe someday a REAL film depictionof Urgent Fury will be produced, the men who performed the missioncertainly deserve it.

The "center of gravity" was the 10,000foot runway under construction at Point Salines which would be used to landSoviet transport planes loaded with armaments as a way station to latinAmerica to arm the "revolution" there. The Cubans in charge ofthe defenses miscalculated as the authors showed and dug-in on the beachesawaiting a seaborne assault by marines, which never came as we wiselyavoided a public confidence-defeating frontal attack bloodbath and droppedin from the sky by parachutes using Airborne forces. American audacitycarried the day, as the runway was cleared and began to accept C-141BStarlifter transports full of ragtop-helmet camouflaged Paratroopers of the82d Airborne who together with the Rangers rescued the American medicalstudents, captured the Soviet arms and ammunition and swept north to linkup with the marines, securing the island. The victory on Grenada signaledthat the "Reagen doctrine" of rolling back communism had teethand America had the will to put men on the ground to stop evil fromover-running the planet. The victory we enjoy in the Cold War began thosedark days of October in 1983.

The authors of this fine book haveillustrated these events with numerous pictures and color plates by PaulHannon showing the equipment and uniforms of the combatants. What's goodfor the military professional is that each illustration is scrutinized forimportant details--from the beret-clad Paratrooper scout who used tapepatterns to camouflage his M16 rifle to the STABO extraction harness wormas load bearing gear on the SFOD-Delta trooper. You can pick up insights onhow to bind prisoners all the way to gain an appreciation of tactics--don'tattack gun positions with helicopters using TOW missiles that requiresteady guidance or else you might get shot down like the two marine Cobraswere,always carry anti-tank weapons to incinerate not just deflate thetires of enemy armored cars (Rangers brought 90mm Recoilless rifles forthis, SEAL Tm 6 didn't for the Sir Paul Scoon recovery mission).

This isa must-have reference book for the student of modern warfare.

Airborne!

A fairly objective account
I liked this book because it is fairly objective in its account of the US invasion in 1983 in Grenada. Though the book justifies the American invasion it does not cast Maurice Bishop in a totally negative light. Italso shows the Cubans as reluctant adversaries: they were backers of Bishopbut were forced into supporting the Junta that overthrew and assassinatedhim. Also, the US intervention is shown as not all that well executed:there were many fiascos and unecessary casualties in a relatively smallwar. The photos of the book are clear and the colour plates are also nicelydone. ... Read more

Product Description
"The Burrowes book is well written and provides a balanced if familiar assessment of events. He finds fault in the East-West perspective of U.S. foreign policy in the Third World, but his call for greater assertiveness by regional groupings to control their own affairs is wishful thinking, given the divisions exhibited in this case." Choice ... Read more

Product Description
The principal aim of this volume is to present a point-by-point refutation of the claims made by John Clerk (1728--1812), a writer on naval strategy. Clerk maintained that Admiral Rodney had achieved his success in the battle of Saints Passage on 12 April 1782 by following the suggestions that Clerk had laid down in 'Essay on Naval Tactics'. Captain Thomas White, a naval officer, set out to show that Clerk's claims had little substance to them. The volume discusses other land and naval battles but the major importance of the book lies in its minute and expert analysis of one of the most significant sea battles of the Revolutionary War. ... Read more

Product Description
Recent tragic political events have propelled the tiny Caribbean islands of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique into the affairs of Superpowers, and within the last two decades more books have been written on Grenada than in its entire history. Far more than just being an account of the political history of the island, "A-Z of Grenada Heritage" provides a fascinating examination of the island, incorporating the varied and frequently ignored aspects of its culture, history, and natural environment."Macmillan Caribbean A-Zs" are a comprehensive series of reference books that provide an invaluable and entertaining source of information to the countries that comprise the Caribbean region. Highly illustrated and in full-colour throughout, they are a unique 'one-stop' resource to the cultural heritage of a fascinating and richly diverse part of the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A-Z Grenada Heritage
This book provide a great overview of Grenada, it's people and it's culture.Great Read!!

Great Book
I was born in Grenada but grew up here in the US. My parents and other family members made sure that I knew my culture. Although I have been back there many times,after reading this book, I was able to get eeven more knowledge of all that was instilled in my cultural knowledge by them. It is a great conversation book between family and friends who are not from Grenada. Well worth the read and teh money.

A valuable resource
This book is a valuable resource for anyone seriously interested in Grenada.It is an enjoyable and informative read.

Amazing!!!!
It makes great reading for those of us who of Grenadian heritage but have lost the connection to our culture.The book provides valuable historical information that is often lost over time and is a wonderful tool that I can share with my daughter.

Dip Into A-Z of Grenada Heritage for Island Gems
"A-Z of Grenada Heritage" is an oversized, 283-page, color illustrated [on quality paper] compendium of useful information about multiple aspects of the island of Grenada.

John Angus Martin writes to the point and provides facts of historical and contemporary information in an easily understandable manner. Excellently chosen photographs and illustrations catch one's interest.
Martin backs up his knowledge with references.

A partial entry example:

"FISHERMAN'S BIRTHDAY is a Roman Catholic festival celebrated on 29 June each year as the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. In the town of GOUYAVE, one of the largest fishing communities in the islands, festivities are the 'grandest' and are attended by visitors from all across Grenada. Under the French the parish was dedicated to St. Pierre, the patron saint of fishermen. After church services in each parish and the blessing of fishermen's boats and nets, there are boat races, eating, drinking and merrymaking for the remainder of the day; the merrymaking dates to the mid-1960s . . ."

"A-Z of Grenada Heritage" is recommended for library 'Country' collections, for every travel and tourist-related organization's reception area, for those who live on the Spice Isle, for those who visit Grenada, and for those who plan to visit Grenada.

The book is a delight; there's nothing quite like it. ... Read more

Product Description
From the Mss. ofFray Antonio Agapida ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Lively account of the Reconquest of Granada.
Washington Irving is known to most americans as the author of Rip Van Winkle and Sleepy Hollow -but he was also a hispanophile and historian, and wrote this account of the 'reconquista' - the series of events and military campaigns that led to the expulsion of the moors after 700 years on the Iberian peninsula.

Despite his obvious love of all things Spanish, the account is quite balanced even showing sympathy for the Moors. Despite being written over 150 years ago Irving's prose is lively and engaging.

This particular edition is a reprint small press and pretty good quality. ... Read more