This is a very useful book, a manual that offers a comprehensive view of what puerto rico is and has been. The book begins with a historical overview of puerto rico during the spanish colonial period 1493 1898. Puerto rico has not experienced national autonomy in centuriesa spanish colony from 1493 through 1898, the island moved into the hands. Through oral histories, personal interviews, eyewitness accounts, congressional testimony, and recently declassified fbi files, war against all puerto ricans tells the story of a forgotten revolution and its context in puerto rico s history, from the us invasion in 1898 to the modernday struggle for selfdetermination. It became known as puerto rico after 1521, when the city of san juan had been founded and given the islands original name. Discovery, conquest and colonization of puerto rico, 14931599. The best books on puerto rico according to signature reads. The history of puerto rico began with the settlement of the archipelago of puerto rico by the. During his second expedition to the indies in 1493. On november 19, 1493, he landed on the island, naming it san juan bautista in honor of saint john the baptist. Discover librarianselected research resources on puerto rican history from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals. For treatment of the island in its regional context, see latin america, history of, and west indies, history of.
Van middledyk advanced puerto rican historiography by building on the. All books set in puerto rico on mappits literary map. Van middledyks work was the first major historical study of puerto rico in english. List of books and articles about puerto rican history online. A book on the prehistory of a modern geopolitical entity is artificial. The first inhabitants of puerto rico were huntergatherers who reached the island more than 1,000 years before the arrival of the spanish. The following discussion focuses on puerto rican history from the time of european settlement. He originally called the island san juan bautista, but thanks to the gold in the river, it was soon known as puerto rico, or rich port.
Prior to the spanishamerican war, puerto rico was in the process of transitioning into a sovereign and independent nation for the first time in its history since. Christopher columbus arrived at puerto rico in 1493. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. What everyone needs to know provides a succinct, authoritative introduction to the islands rich history, culture, politics, and economy. Jan 15, 2017 antique vintage historical history books of puerto rico. History of puerto rico christopher columbus reached the island and claimed it for spain on november 19, 1493.
Puerto rico history and heritage travel smithsonian. Native american cultures of puerto rico prior to the arrival of the spanish in 1493. Bookprinted material the history of puerto rico, from the spanish. Front cover for the book frommers easyguide to puerto rico easy guides by john. The book also presents a first hand account of puerto rican identity, including music, clothing, personality and.