The History of Puerto Rico: From the Spanish Discovery to the American Occupation

Difficult to absorb or believe the details especially in describing the indigenous people as lazy or indolent. Extreme racist views. At one point suggesting that some of the lighter skinned people did not have the sense to live apart from the darker skinned ones. Referring to them as savages throughout but not condemning the more barbarous acts of the so called Christian invaders.JR

A very laborious read and poorly written. The way it bounced back and forth to various read of time made it very hard to follow and frankly boring. Not a book I would recommend. My hope is that there is a much better written history of a place I love so much.

It appears the author made prudent use of the information available at the time. It would be interesting to read the same if it included studies, historical, and scientific evidence now avaible. Obviously the book mostly covers the known at the time history of my Boriquén up to the second conquest by a newer and modern conquistador who fortunately could not also claim the discovery of an already populated island.

This book was originally published in 1903, the data is great but sadly it is full of racism and white supremacy mentality of the late 19th century and early 20th century. It is a book so full of information and detailed knowledge that makes it historical gem.I gave it a three star because its racist white supremacist content. If you take that away it automatically becomes a five star book.

My Puerto Rico visit was enhanced by this history. I had a much greater appreciation for the fort El Morro had i not read this. However, the book is oddly constructed so that it repeats itself. Instead of a continuous narrative from past into present it jumped back into the past several times creating a deja vu why am i reading this bit again feeling. As is common for histories we get an embarrassing/disgusting account of man's continuous barbarity and inhumanity throughout the world and all times. Humbling.The paradise that is Puerto Rico has always suffered and struggles yet today. A must see island adventure.

A wealth of info about Puerto Rico under Spanish rule, from the landing of Columbus, Ponce's management, politics, and dynamics, and the challenges faced by Spain in managing and keeping a hold on the colonial communities in such far away lands.

First half of this book was a very interesting look at the Spanish conquest of the island followed by the desperate fight for survival by a people isolated from their mother country. The extermination of the natives through pure greed and xenophobic patriotism was a very depressing read. The second half was more over the culture in the late 1800s at the time of the writing of the book but it was not a very compelling read.

Although I like the information given it was written a bit confusing for my taste it seemed back and forth. Hard to keep up.