Customer Reviews

Puerto Rico: A Political and Cultural History

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The highly respected Dr. Arturo Morales Carrion and four collaborating authors deserve credit for making a history of Puerto Rico available in English for the mainland reader; unfortunately, the book does have its flaws. Information in the first seven chapters, which deal with pre-Columbian times and Spanish colonial rule, was spotty and incomplete considering the length of this period in the island's history. Overlapping of dates and events between chapters was also noticeable, making the narrative a bit repetitive. Part Two of the book consists of eight chapters (all written by Dr. Morales) covering American territorial rule and the Commonwealth years up to 1980. The author does not discuss in much detail the military operations in Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War, yet he does a much better job covering the territorial period; with some justification, his profiles of the island's American-born governors are not too flattering. Towards the end of World War II, the stage is being set for the establishment of self-government for Puerto Rico under the Commonwealth, of which Dr. Morales was a founder and lifelong supporter. At this point in the book, Dr. Morales' narrative essentially becomes a panegyric to the Commonwealth and its founders, particularly Luis Munoz Marin, whose treatment by the author is virtually hagiographical. Dr. Morales decries the end of political "consensus" (more like one-party rule) in the island as electoral support for the pro-Commonwealth party begins to weaken in the late 1960s. Out of four general elections held in Puerto Rico between 1968 and 1980, three resulted in the establishment of pro-statehood administrations, yet Dr. Morales does not credit these administrations with any worthwhile accomplishments. All political developments after the glory days of the Commonwealth are relegated to Part Two's relatively short eighth chapter. A final chapter by Maria Teresa Babin on Puerto Rican culture is adequate but sometimes lofty. The book does boast an impressive bibliography, thus showing the scholarly qualities of the authors. Overall, but at varying degrees, the authors' writing style may appear somewhat awkward to the American reader. Given the above flaws and significant political developments in the island since 1980, "Puerto Rico: A Political and Cultural History" needs to be revised and updated.

Luis Negron Hernandez: El libro se divide en dos partes. En la primera, incluye artículos de los profesores Aída Caro, Arturo Santana y Luis González Vales. Estos abarcan la colonización militar, la organización institucional y la vida social en el Puerto Rico a partir del siglo 15, hasta la sociedad de las plantaciones azucareras y la invasión norteamericana a la Isla. En la segunda parte, Arturo Morales Carrión analiza con autoridad los efectos políticos del tutelaje colonial norteamericano y las luchas que desembocaron en la nación y partidos presentes. Morales fue director de la Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades y del Centro de Investigaciones Históricas del recinto universitario de Río Piedras. Se desempeñó como Asesor del Secretario general de la OEA y como Secretario asistente del Departamento de Estado de los EE.UU. En la década del 1970 ocupó la presidencia de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. El estilo de los ilustres historiadores, los temas incluidos y sus planteamientos tan interesantes y documentados harán de esta lectura una de sus predilectas y de toda su familia.

This is an EXCELLENT book. Other reviews seem to be critical, however, they seem more geared towards a political agenda than I think the author is. I'm a Puerto Rican studying the history of the island and this is the best book out there by far (yes I have several others) which provides many facts going back to the days of the Arawak and following through to fairly recent history. He brings to life the Caribe and Taino "indians" as well as the attacks by Drake and Hawkins to the fireside chats by Marin. I highly recommend this book to read and re-read.

Dr. Morales Carrión participation in the 1940's Puerto Rican social and economical reforms is undisputable and highly significant for today's apreciation of our political and economical identity.

Dr. Arturo Morales Carrión was a true visioner, who formulate in conjuction with the Puerto Rican Democratic Popular Party (PPD) leadership, the formula for our present status quo, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

This book reflects the interpretation of Puerto Rican history that made sense to the statesman and strategists that created what is called today the commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Is a good piece of reference for serious studies of the Puerto Rican path to identity.<BR

Many major events were missing from the pre american colonial days. The author, well respected by his "patriotas", would concur with him that nothing happened or are ashamed to even mention them. The PPD and Dr. Carrion are no more than a torn of a rose bush grown wild. It is very true when you hear that history is written based on the needs of its author. Shame, I would have wished that it was more objective.