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UWI TODAY
– SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER, 2018
In the Fires of Hope Volume 2:
Essays on theModern
History of T&T, edited by Debbie McCollin, offers a
narrative of the modern history of T&T from diverse
perspectives, on subjects that are not always accorded
visibility in Caribbean history.
Published in 2016 by Ian Randle Publishers
and The UWI, this comprehensive collection of 20
chapters from established and emerging scholars
provides valuable information on the history of T&T
from the 19th to the 21st centuries.
The strength of the book lies in its capturing
of various experiences, significant periods, specific
events and individuals that have shaped the history
of T&T. This coverage of social, cultural, political
and economic issues that influenced the country’s
development offers a balanced presentation of the
modern history of the twin-island republic. The
writing style and language used by the authors also
enhances the readability of the text.
In the Fires of Hope Volume 2 is organized
chronologically and topically to take the reader on
a historical journey. It is divided into three main
sections – the foundations of independence, the
expressions of independence, and the challenges of
independence – which are further sub-divided.
In the first chapter, Heather Cateau sets the tone
with her assertion that “the experiences of colonialism,
enslavement and indentureship were, in fact, struggles
for independence.”
These experiences reflect the diversity that has
shaped the society of T&T. In so doing, contributors
such as Cateau bring enslaved seamen to light; Sherry-
Ann Singh examines Indian indentured workers
beyond the estates and Fiona Rajkumar discusses the
socio-economic experiences of the Trinidad Chinese
since the Second World War.
Social development relating to education and
health are also highlighted. The evolution of teacher
education into the 21st century is discussed by
Cecilia Hall, Ian Green and Carol Joseph. Meanwhile,
McCollin notes some challenges to the decolonization
of health care such as “the attack on bush medicine,”
and the brain drain of medical personnel.
Protests, whether they are the Water Riot of
1903 as explored by Shane Pantin, or the 1970 Black
Power Revolution, affected the society of T&T. Ancil
Antoine’s approach provides an enjoyable read of how
security and intelligence systems evolved in response
to events such as the 1970 revolution and the 1990
coup.
Music, literature and religion are also examined
through the writings of Louis Regis, J. Vijay Maharaj
and Aakeil Murray, respectively. In relation to
masquerade, Gelien Matthews’ analysis of George
Bailey, “one of the most celebrated bandleaders in
masquerade,” offers insight on Carnival.
In the Fires of Hope
Vol. 2: Essays on the
Modern History of T&T
Edited by Debbie McCollin
© 2016, Ian Randle Publishers & The UWI
REVIEW BY ALLISON RAMSAY
Allison Ramsay is a lecturer in the
Department of History at The UWI
Tapestry of TT’s
MODERNHISTORY
BOOK REVIEW
The economy is examined from different
approaches. Lovell Francis hones in on the 1974 oil
boomand economic development, while SeanNgWai
offers amore grassroots perspective through exploring
credit unions.
Thepolitical historyofT&Tis animportant subject.
Dane Morton-Gittens assesses the administration of
Lord Harris’ governance in the 19th century. Bridget
Brereton and Michael Toussaint examine an iconic
figure, Eric Williams. Brereton focuses on Williams’
construction of an independence narrative. Toussaint
uses the diaries of Williams to bring his voice to
the fore and to provide revelations about him, his
administration and writings.
The political history of Tobago is not excluded.
Rita Pemberton gives a constitutional history of
Tobago and uses an interesting approach to debate
the extent of a possibility of a satisfactory resolution
to the constitutional issue.
In the Fires of Hope Volume 2 points out that the
history of T&T does not exist in isolation. Regional
perspectives and life in the diaspora are just as
important to the country’s narrative.
In relation to the diaspora, Eric Duke pays
homage to Trinidadian immigrant Charles Petioni,
a central activist in Harlem, to the pursuit of “a West
Indian nation.” Peter Timothy uses the activities of
groups in the United Kingdom and The Republic of
Ireland to analyse the promotion of national pride of
T&T in these metropolitan spaces.
On a regional note, Dexnell Peters concludes the
book with an enjoyable chapter which seeks to “bring
the voices of the masses in Trinidad into the record
of the Caribbean integration process.” The inclusion
of visual images such as cartoons and advertisements
and lyrics of calypsos added detail to demonstrating
popular perspectives on this issue from Trinidad.
This well-researched volume will be of great
interest to students and scholars of 20th and 21st
century Caribbean history due to its comprehensive
coverage of the modern history of T&T fromamyriad
of perspectives. It adds to the scholarship on the
island and the region. Perhaps, in the near future, a
third volume which focuses on the modern history of
Tobago, women, gender and cultural developments
into the 21st century may become a possibility.
This well-researched
volume will be of great
interest to students and
scholars of 20th and 21st
century Caribbean history
due to its comprehensive
coverage of the modern
history of T&T from a
myriad of perspectives.
The book is available at
The UWI Bookshop
at the
St Augustine campus,
and at
Charran’s bookstores.
