A sweeping history of Puerto Rico, from pre-Columbian times to the present
Puerto Rico, a predominantly Spanish-speaking territory of the United States, has a history defined by conquest, colonialism, and resistance. Throughout centuries, Puerto Ricans have continuously constructed and negotiated complex ideas about nationhood, identity, and belonging. In this compelling work, historian Jorell Meléndez-Badillo provides a fresh and insightful narrative of Puerto Rico’s past, placing the archipelago’s people at the center and illuminating the political, economic, and social challenges they continue to face today.
Through masterful scholarship, Meléndez-Badillo reveals the vibrant cultures that flourished in the archipelago long before Columbus's arrival. He then captures the full scope of Puerto Rico’s turbulent history—from the groundbreaking indigenous rebellion against Spanish colonial rule in 1511, led by the legendary cacique Agüeybaná II, to the complex establishment of the Commonwealth in 1952. The author also skillfully portrays contemporary Puerto Rico, exploring the archipelago’s ongoing colonial relationship with the United States mainland and highlighting their interconnected yet profoundly unequal histories.
Engaging, intimate, and consistently enlightening, Puerto Rico: A National History is an essential history of colonialism, rebellion, and national identity formation, offering new perspectives not only on Puerto Rico and the Caribbean but also on the United States and the broader Atlantic world.
Año: 2024 | Páginas: 312
Princeton University Press
