A History of Puerto Rico

From the first inhabitants of Borikén to the 21st-century challenges of debt and disaster, this comprehensive history chronicles the epic story of Puerto Rico. It traces the island's journey from a Taíno homeland to its four centuries as a strategic Spanish fortress and agricultural colony, the "Key to the Indies." This period forged a new, distinctly Puerto Rican culture from the interweaving of Spanish, Taíno, and African traditions, a resilient Creole identity built in the crucible of empire. The narrative explores the rise of the great sugar and coffee haciendas, the rigid social hierarchies, the ever-present threat of pirates, and the early stirrings of rebellion that defined life under Spanish rule.

The story pivots dramatically in 1898 with the Spanish-American War and the island's cession to the United States, marking the beginning of a new and complex colonial relationship. The book details the profound economic and political transformations of the American century, from the imposition of the Foraker Act to the granting of U.S. citizenship under the Jones Act. It examines the ambitious industrialization program known as Operation Bootstrap, which rapidly modernized the island while simultaneously spurring the Great Migration and creating a massive diaspora. Central to this era is the establishment of the Commonwealth in 1952 and the enduring, passionate, and deeply divisive political debate over the island's ultimate status-a question that has shaped every aspect of public life for generations.

Bringing the story to the present day, the final chapters navigate the turbulent waters of the 21st century. It provides a clear-eyed account of the crippling economic crisis and the imposition of a federal fiscal oversight board, the catastrophic devastation and slow recovery from Hurricane Maria, and the unprecedented political upheaval of the "Summer of 2019" that saw citizens rise up to force a governor from office. Through it all, it highlights the remarkable resilience of the Puerto Rican people, the vibrant cultural expressions that thrive on the island and in the diaspora, and the ongoing struggle to forge a viable future and redefine a national identity in the face of immense challenges.