Customer Reviews

Caribbean, sea of the New World

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I cannot praise this book enough. The 400+ pages of the paperback version (I'm looking for a good hardcover version to keep as a reference) are eminently readable. The translation of Arciniegas' original Spanish version is almost seamless, only very occasionally using somewhat less than common verbiage. The translation carries forward the color, grace and pure fun of the original work as well if not better than any other translation I have read.

The subject matter begins with a theme that the author carries throughout the book, that of a comparison of the Mediterranean, sea of the old world, with the Caribbean, sea of the new world. Beginning with Columbus and continuing through the revolutionary period of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The author focuses on the region enclosed by the northern area of South America, Central America and the southern reaches or North America. He traces the European exploration and settlement of the region, providing insightful views of the characters and motivations behind many of the events and drives. Examples include the search for El Dorado, the Fountain of Youth, the buccaneers and pirates, the settlement of Louisiana, the slave revolts, the Darien disaster and eventual drive for independence from European colonialism.

Clearly, with a scope so large the author has not been able to present a deep study of any of the subjects, but the history is written is such an engaging manner that the reader cannot help but feel immersed in the material. The bibliography is a gold mine of sources broken down by chapter as well as period and provides an ample resource for further study. Add to that the fact that this book is indexed and you have a scholarly reference as well as a wonderfully entertaining read.
P-)

This book is a new edition of the most beautifully written history of the Caribbean from the European discovery through the ninteenth century.Reviews of the 1946 edition:
"Arciniegas has written a most informative and entertaining book...the student of political and social morals will find in it much to ponder."
~Commonweal

"Senor Arciniegas has a flair for bits of colorful detail and the kind of gossip which makes history come alive. Not the least of the book's virtues are a series of thumbnail biographies of such figures as Amerigo Vespucci, Raleigh, Toussaint, Miranda, Lafitte, William Walker and de Lessep."
~The New Republic