Caribbean Reading List

[msponer]

Do you have any favorite books on the Caribbean? Not sailing or travel guides -- more background knowledge about the place: history, geology, nature, culture, cooking...?

In the Pacific I really enjoyed reading the history while in the place (Darwin in Galapagos, Cook in Polynesia, Neale in Suvarov, and etc). I want to do that again in the Caribbean, and would like suggestions. Especially in the context of homeschooling two kids, it might be fun to sometimes talk about the broader context.

[mbianka]

I like Herman Wouk's DON'T STOP THE CARNIVAL. It's non fiction but, I think captures the attitude and foibles of the various people who find themselves together on the various islands in the Caribbean both the locals and those who come to and discover "paradise" and then try and make it work for them.

[vtwaterdawg]

Check out An Embarrassment of Mangos. Great read, and good recipes.

Ditto on Don't Stop the Carnival...

And, its fiction, but really enjoyed Jimmy Buffet's Salty Piece of Land

Enjoy!

[George]

Michener's "Caribbean"

[BojanglesIV]

Another vote for Don't stop the carnival.

Embarrassment of Mangoes is good too (and the author Ann V, is a nice lady if you run into her out cruising)

[GrowleyMonster]

Originally Posted by George

Michener's "Caribbean"

+1

Michener can get tedious in places, and unfortunately if you have read two of his amazingly well researched books, you know how a third one will end. But he always manages to incorporate a breadth and scope into his massive tomes that includes and introduces you to a tremendous dose of history and background. Another good one is "Chesapeake"; and "Mexico" and "Texas" were good, too.