A-ZA book that all Grenadians must have

Every now and again, you come across a piece of work or reference material, that is so relevant and majestic that you wonder how you’d missed it. This book is one of those cases, and I’m sure if I missed it, many thousands of Grenadians both at home and abroad did too. Whatever, the reason, the time has come to recognise and share this magnificent book.

It is packed with information that straightens out the history books once and for all. It’s presented in a style that is easily digested by all readers and every page holds text or images that capture the soul and essence of our beautiful tri-island state from every perspective.

I personally, have a passion for all things Grenadian, but must confess to having seen the title on the book shelves but passed it by as though it were written for tourists. I could not have been more wrong. This book has been compiled with a real since of love and passion for the content that resides within and the subject matter of Grenada. It is written with an understanding that much of our history has been misquoted or has been contradictory.

Marcus Garvey, once said “a people with no knowledge of its history, is like a tree without roots, it can not grow”. John Angus Martin, with this book, has given us a great foundation to piece together our history for current and future generations to embrace in their everyday lives.

This book should be in every Grenadian home wherever you reside on the planet. (MA, May 2013)

 

JAM_120pxAbout the Author

John Angus Martin was born and grew up in St. George?s, Grenada, where he attended the St. George?s Roman Catholic Boys? School (now known as the J.W. Fletcher Memorial Boys? School) and Presentation Brothers? College before immigrating to Brooklyn, New York with his family in 1978.

He graduated in 1986 with a BSc in Biological Sciences and a minor in Anthropology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Long Island.

He spent the next three years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone, West Africa, teaching at an agricultural institute and as an agricultural extension agent to subsistence farmers in rural villages. He has travelled widely in west and east Africa for work and as a visitor.

He holds master?s degrees in History, and Agricultural and Applied Economics from Clemson University, South Carolina. He?has worked?as aReference Archivist at the Cushing Memorial Library, Texas A&M University and a?Country Desk Officer in the Africa Region of the US Peace Corps,and traveled to many countries in west and east Africa. These travels have been important in his study of Caribbean slavery and colonialism.. He?is currently the director of the Grenada National Museum.?His next project,?French Grenada: Island Caribs and French Settlers, 1498-1763?explores the rise and demise of the French in Grenada, will be published in July.


 

What the reviews say:

Amazing!!!!,?January 12, 2008
This review is from:?A-Z of Grenada Heritage (MacMillan Caribbean) (Paperback)

It makes great reading for those of us who of Grenadian heritage but have lost the connection to our culture. The book provides valuable historical information that is often lost over time and is a wonderful tool that I can share with my daughter.

 


Dip Into A-Z of Grenada Heritage for Island Gems,?November 25, 2007

This review is from:?A-Z of Grenada Heritage (MacMillan Caribbean) (Paperback)

“A-Z of Grenada Heritage” is an oversized, 283-page, color illustrated [on quality paper] compendium of useful information about multiple aspects of the island of Grenada.

John Angus Martin writes to the point and provides facts of historical and contemporary information in an easily understandable manner. Excellently chosen photographs and illustrations catch one’s interest.
Martin backs up his knowledge with references.

A partial entry example:

“FISHERMAN’S BIRTHDAY is a Roman Catholic festival celebrated on 29 June each year as the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. In the town of GOUYAVE, one of the largest fishing communities in the islands, festivities are the ‘grandest’ and are attended by visitors from all across Grenada. Under the French the parish was dedicated to St. Pierre, the patron saint of fishermen. After church services in each parish and the blessing of fishermen’s boats and nets, there are boat races, eating, drinking and merrymaking for the remainder of the day; the merrymaking dates to the mid-1960s . . .”

“A-Z of Grenada Heritage” is recommended for library ‘Country’ collections, for every travel and tourist-related organization’s reception area, for those who live on the Spice Isle, for those who visit Grenada, and for those who plan to visit Grenada.

The book is a delight; there’s nothing quite like it.


 

Great Book,?May 5, 2008

This review is from:?A-Z of Grenada Heritage (MacMillan Caribbean) (Paperback)

I was born in Grenada but grew up here in the US. My parents and other family members made sure that I knew my culture. Although I have been back there many times,after reading this book, I was able to get eeven more knowledge of all that was instilled in my cultural knowledge by them. It is a great conversation book between family and friends who are not from Grenada. Well worth the read and the money.


A valuable resource,?March 7, 2008
This review is from:?A-Z of Grenada Heritage (MacMillan Caribbean) (Paperback)

This book is a valuable resource for anyone seriously interested in Grenada. It is an enjoyable and informative read.

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?A-Z of Grenada,?November 20, 2010
This review is from:?A-Z of Grenada Heritage (MacMillan Caribbean) (Paperback)

It is good, Enjoying it….Well Please…Even though, like a Rasta, I have different opinion on many Subjects…But it is cool..Just have some over standing..You done know how that go….Seen!


A-Z Grenada Heritage,?December 16, 2008
This review is from:?A-Z of Grenada Heritage (MacMillan Caribbean) (Paperback)

This book provide a great overview of Grenada, it’s people and it’s culture. Great Read!!

 

The significance of our fort systems is often glossed over by all but a few. Certainly, at the local level the general public are not aware of the potential pulling power of these magnificent structures.

In the 17th and 18th century Grenada was in a tug of war situation in which English and French forces alternated their ownership? of the island. The first attempted (British) settlement of the island in 1609 ended in a rout. A second (French) attempt in 1638 met with similar failure. Serious opposition by? indigenous inhabitants caused the newcomers to withdraw. Sustained European settlement was finally achieved (by the French) in 1649 with the construction of a fort in Beausejour and for the next 134 years the island?s fortification network was progressively enlarged to deal with? Anglo-French rivalries in the region. The matter was eventually settled in 1782 when the French Admiral de Grasse was comprehensively defeated by British Admiral Rodney at the Battle of the Saintes (near Dominica). This, and the resulting Treaty of Paris a year later, put a damper on? French ambitions in the West Indies and Grenada remained British for the next 200 years? or so,? until it was granted its? independence in 1974.

Over the years of Anglo French conflict in the region, a network of forts and? batteries? was erected. The main forts were located in and around the capital St George?s and the three most impressive ones still stand to this day : Fort George, Fort Mathew and Fort Frederick . A comprehensive network of batteries was also set up to discourage landings in the rest of the island. The West coast was equipped with a dozen coastal batteries and an additional six batteries were set up on the eastern side. An approach from the west was the preferred selection for an invasion of the island ?whereas ?the strong easterly winds made the east coast less appropriate for a landing. Additional fortifications were also set up in some of the promontories in the south east.

Progressive decommissioning of batteries has all but obliterated them but the main forts in St George?s remain and are well worth visiting.

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The Grenada National Trust is pleased to announce that during the month of May 2013, we will be taking control of the management of the beautiful Priory House Property and its splendour gardens, situated in Church Street, St. George?s.

The Priory

The Priory is considered to be the most outstanding building of character in St. George?s, if not Grenada. Its beautiful Greek revival fa?ade, accented with Victorian details, projects a majestic presence along historic Church Street, once lined with some of the prettiest domestic houses in St. George?s Town. It is believed that The Priory or the ?Priests? House? was constructed in the late 1700s by the Roman Catholics as a Presbytery for the Dominican order. Over the years, it has seen a number of alterations, but a noted change was the addition of the front and the bay windows when the house was sold and renovated in 1917 after the Dominicans moved into the newly built Vicariate further up Church Street. Between 1996 and 2001, the property was fully renovated to an exceptional standard and has become the jewel of St. George?s Town, topping the Government?s list of official historic buildings. This gingerbread-style house remains quite unique to St. George?s Town and Grenada.

When the Grenada National Trust was approached about the possibility of managing this historic treasure, it jumped at the opportunity. The GNT is presently in negotiations with the owners of the Priory, Mrs. Pratizia and Mr. Pietro Banas, to develop a management plan for the operation of this property as a national historic building.

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