Here is my husband's review:

This story about the Caribbean settlements from Spain, England, Holland and France truly managed to hold my interest. It provides great historical insights into how the islands were settled and the various products that were produced. Sugar cane, in particular, was the most lucrative one. I really like the way the author brings the characters through each time frame, starting from the pre-Columbian period of the native Arawak tribes all the way until about 1990. This keeps pulling my interest and makes me eager to read on. It's a great blend of fact and fiction. Tales of rebellion, racism, and corruption are interwoven into the historical timeline, adding depth and complexity to the story. There is just so much great history to discover. However, I'm not entirely sure why he added a fictional island, All Saints. Its history seems to fit many of the other islands as well. Submitted by Carl Teakle.

If you think history is boring, you should definitely read this.

It truly brings a plethora of significant events and aspects into people's lives in a genuine and engaging manner.

Rather than simply reading dry facts about a battle that took place in 1789, this offers a much more interesting perspective.

It covers a wide range of geography and time periods.

Each chapter is like its own little book or story, filled with unique details and narratives.

Surprisingly, it all ties together seamlessly in the end.

There were some topics that I wasn't anticipating, which added an element of新鲜感.

Although it has a serious tone at times, it is also full of fascinating people and their stories.

It is well worth reading as it provides valuable insights into different eras and cultures.

Moreover, it gives you a list of recommended books to read further if certain topics, people, or places particularly interest you, allowing you to delve deeper into the subject matter.

Overall, this is a great read for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of history in an enjoyable way.

As much as it makes me feel like I’m turning into my mother, it must be said. I truly love how James Michener’s books have the power to enrich our understanding of the high points within the long and complicated history of a place through a historical narrative. In his book "Caribbean", he accomplishes this in a remarkable way. He dedicates each chapter to a different time and place, skillfully interweaving interesting fictional characters with the true tales of that era. This unique approach not only makes the story engaging but also provides a vivid and comprehensive picture of the region's history.

This book has piqued my curiosity of the area to a great extent. It has opened my eyes to the rich and diverse history that lies beneath the surface. I find myself eager to dig further into several of the topics presented in the book. I want to explore more about the different cultures, the events that shaped the region, and the people who lived there. I believe that by doing so, I will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the Caribbean and its significance in the world.

Michener took on an incredibly complex topic and provided many of us with our very first glimpse into this region that is just southeast of the US.

I had no inkling whatsoever about how many countries had a vested interest in this region for centuries. Michener did an excellent job of distilling the racial history and the current issues that are the legacy of this area.

He spotlighted approximately a dozen islands and other locations (such as Cartagena) to convey a sense of the diversity within the Caribbean basin.

Although Michener blended actual historical figures with fictional characters (as he always did), his true hero is this magnificent big lake, with all its glory and tragedy.

His detailed account allows readers to better understand the rich and tumultuous history of the Caribbean, as well as the present-day challenges that the region faces.

Michener's work serves as an important reminder of the importance of studying and understanding different cultures and regions, and how their histories can impact the world we live in today.

Trying to tie together the history of many Caribbean islands in one book is an extremely challenging task.

This particular work artfully blends history with fiction, making it highly readable and engaging.

The account of the colonization of these islands and the brutally harsh treatment of slaves is truly difficult to read about, as it vividly depicts the atrocities and hardships of that era.

Although I felt that the last chapter was a bit forced in its attempt to tie all the loose ends together, it still managed to be effective in presenting a somewhat cohesive conclusion.

Based on this experience, I have developed a strong desire to read more of Michener's books.

Thankfully, there is a vast collection of his works available for me to explore and discover.

I look forward to delving into more of his stories and learning about different aspects of history and human experiences through his unique writing style.

I embarked on reading this book in anticipation of a journey to the southern Caribbean. However, it turned out to be so lengthy that I couldn't complete it in a timely manner!

As is characteristic of Michener, the novel leads the reader through the personal accounts of representative individuals throughout history. In this instance, it spans from the Arawaks to the modern era.

This magnificent sea, whose economies are almost entirely dependent on tourism nowadays, has a rather violent past. And Michener appears to take pleasure in eliminating a character (or several) at the conclusion of most chapters.

It's truly fascinating how he weaves together these diverse stories and presents the complex history of the region. The detailed descriptions and vivid characters make the book come alive, but its length can be a bit overwhelming at times. Nevertheless, I'm still eager to continue reading and discover more about the southern Caribbean's captivating past.

I read this book as background for an upcoming trip to the Caribbean, a place I've never been before.

It provided me with some of the history, vivid colors, and geography that I was seeking, along with a sprawling and engaging tale.

I found the book to be enjoyable, yet it had its uneven moments. Additionally, it is quite long!

I have a great love for Michener's Chesapeake, and I also think highly of Alaska, although it has been a long time since I read that one and it didn't stick with me as much as Chesapeake did.

I had to put down Poland unfinished. In my opinion, this book is second-tier Michener, but I'm still glad that I took the time to read it. It gave me a better understanding and appreciation of the Caribbean region, which will surely enhance my travel experience.

Overall, despite its flaws, it was a worthwhile read for me.

Really fascinating tracking of the history of the Caribbean from early pre-recorded history up through modern times. It's truly an engaging exploration that takes you on a journey through the ages. I vividly remember learning a great deal from reading this book back in high school. However, it's important to note that it's quite a long read, demanding a significant time commitment. For me, it was more of a filling-in-huge-voids-in-my-knowledge kind of read rather than a pure fun read. But despite that, it has undeniably formed a backbone for my understanding of the Caribbean and its history. Over the years, whenever the Caribbean and its history have come up in books and movies, the knowledge I gained from this book has served as a solid foundation. It's a book that has left a lasting impact on my understanding of this region's rich and complex past.

The Caribbean islands and their neighboring lands have a rich and diverse history and culture that is truly remarkable.

From the indigenous Arawak, Carib, and Maya peoples to the various European colonists and traders such as the Spanish, French, English, Dutch, and Swedish, and the people brought from Africa and India, this region has seen a complex blend of cultures and influences.

The history also includes elements like piracy, privateering, and buccaneering. The sugar industry had a significant impact, even influencing parliament. The English Civil War and the French Revolution had far-reaching effects on the colonies.

The unique success of the slave rebellion in Haiti, along with the Maroons, Rastafarians, and Communists, adds to the complexity and intrigue.

This novel is truly eye-opening due to its historical accuracy and broad scope. Listening to the audio version in preparation for a cruise to San Juan, Hispaniola, St. Thomas, and Grand Turk has provided a fascinating preview of the rich history and culture that awaits.

It has whetted the appetite to explore and learn more about this captivating region.

3.5 stars.

This is a sweeping historical fiction that takes readers on a journey through the Caribbean. Each chapter is dedicated to a different Caribbean island and its unique set of characters. While there are some connecting threads between certain stories and time periods, overall, the book still feels a bit disjointed. This makes it difficult for the reader to truly feel connected to the stories and become fully immersed in the narrative.

Near the back half of the middle and into the end, the pacing starts to drag. I found myself just wanting to finish the book rather than being fully engaged with the plot. Despite these flaws, I still enjoyed the book to a certain extent. However, it could have benefited from being shorter and more tightly edited.

Perhaps if the author had focused on fewer islands and characters, or had done a better job of tying the stories together, the book would have had a stronger impact. As it stands, it is an interesting read that offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the Caribbean, but it falls short of being a truly great work of historical fiction.

This is quite a good read.

I really enjoyed the chapters that focused on Drake in the Caribbean, the Haitian revolt, the scholar from Trinidad, and the French colonies during the revolution.

These parts provided detailed and engaging accounts that brought the history to life.

However, on the negative side, adding an imaginary island was a bit disorienting.

It made it difficult to distinguish between the real and the fictional at times.

Also, some chapters were a slog to get through, perhaps due to overly detailed or dry descriptions.

Moreover, the author didn't connect the chapters as coherently as in some of his other books.

There were times when the transitions felt a bit abrupt.

Nonetheless, it was an interesting book.

It helped me see the Caribbean as a whole and learn a little about the history of a few specific islands.

Overall, it had its strengths and weaknesses, but it was still a worthwhile read for those interested in Caribbean history.

I have visited the Caribbean Islands on numerous occasions, and this has piqued my curiosity to delve deeper into their tumultuous history.

After reading Michener's work, I found that there was a fair amount of repetition. In my opinion, the book could potentially have been more concise. However, this is not in line with Michener's characteristic style. His writing is extremely dense and filled to the brim with a wealth of information.

I am somewhat hesitant to recommend this book to a casual reader. Nevertheless, if one has a genuine interest in understanding the profound legacy of colonialism that has played a significant role in shaping these islands, as well as the diverse and nuanced colors that still hold resonance in the region today, then this book is indeed a worthy read. It offers valuable insights into the complex and fascinating history of the Caribbean Islands.