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Puerto Rico in American History
Puerto Rico had been under Spanish control for hundreds of years before the Spanish-American War brought it into the control of the United States. The island transformed from an agricultural colony to a densely populated American commonwealth. Richard Worth examines the island's history, from the early clash between Spanish colonists and the Taino people to the uncertain future of this growing nation, with some residents who want to remain an American commonwealth, those who want statehood, and those who want independence.
* Reviews *
It is not easy to pack 500 years of history into just over 125 pages, and, at times, the detailed sequence of events overwhelms the crucial issues in this book about the ties between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Even so, Worth's overview will help to acclimate readers new to the island's history, beginning with the clash between the Taino Indians and the Spanish colonizers through the relationship between Puerto Rico and Washington now. Writing in short, plain sentences, the author touches upon the commonwealth's ongoing struggle with poverty, migration, and language and the current conflicts about statehood and independence. The book's clean design is inviting, with lots of color-screened boxes, full-color photos, archival artwork, and maps. Detailed chapter notes and a bibliography, chronology, and glossary close this entry in the From Many Cultures, One History series, which aims to explore U.S. history from multicultural vantage points., Booklist April 1, 2008
RL
Grades
5-6 IL
Grades
5-12+ GRL
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