The Black Carib Wars: Freedom, Survival, and the Making of the Garifuna (Caribbean Studies Series)

I did my masters thesis on the Second Carib War and have been writing about the Black Caribs for a series of historical novels covering their ethnogenesis and the subsequent conflicts with European colonialism. Previous to Taylor's interesting and well researched book most of what was written about the Black Carib (Garifuna) conflicts with the British was from the perspective of the English colonialists, with little in English from the French allied perspective and nothing from the Carib point of view. It appears that a more balanced view is presented by Taylor, as his bibliography includes some French writers, such as Moreau de Jonnes, who have a very different take of the Caribs when compared to colonialists such as Sir William Young, II. I found Taylor's book fascinating and it proved quite useful in doing research for my own fictional account of the times. His book should be read by anyone interested in Garifuna history, Caribbean history during the 17th and 18th centuries, imperialism in the Caribbean, or Caribbean indigenous history in general. The Black Caribs are a unique ethnic group, a blend of African and Carib Indian who still exist as an ethnic group in Central America and in significant numbers in the United States, having been largely exiled after their final defeat in 1797. They were the last indigenous group in the West Indies to resist European colonialism, maintaining their freedom for nearly three hundred years on St. Vincent despite challenges by the Europeans who eventually expelled or eliminated most Caribs from the rest of the Lesser Antilles, (with the exception of Dominica). Over the years the Caribs of St. Vincent absorbed Africans who either escaped from nearby islands, were somehow acquired by the Caribs, or were shipped wrecked on the islands' reefs. Their leader for nearly a generation was Joseph Chatoyer, killed in the first major battle of the Second Carib War as he and his French allies were on the verge of expelling the English from the St. Vincent Island's capital of Kingstown. Now with St. Vincent and the Grenadines being an independent country their parliament has made Chief Chatoyer their first national hero and the day of his martyrdom a national holiday. I recommend Taylor's book to lovers of history who enjoy reading about those interesting episodes in the past that are rarely mentioned in mainstream history books. To read an interview with Taylor about his research see[...]

Well researched and very informational. This book has opened my eyes and answered many questions I've had about my people.

Amazing story that's not over!!!

Great book!

This is a great book about the ethnogenesis of the modern Garifuna people and their origins among the 18th century Caribs of Saint Vincent. About 90% of the book is about the history during the 18th century, and the last 10% or so focuses on the post-exile history in Central America up through the present.

A fantastic book. Very detailed. This book will need focus when reading.

Excellent book,very happy