The Disenchanted Island: Puerto Rico and the United States in the Twentieth Century, Second Edition

This is a revised and updated edition of Ronald Fernandez's acclaimed study of the Puerto Rico-United States relationship. Tracing that relationship from the early years of the 20th century through to the present, Fernandez provides a comprehensive analysis of political, economic, and military affairs as they relate to Puerto Rico. The new edition is completely up-to-date through 1995 and includes important new material based upon documents found in the Reagan presidential library, as well as newly declassified documents in the Eisenhower library. The Disenchanted Island is a comprehensive analysis of the political, economic, and military relationships between the United States and Puerto Rico in the twentieth century. To a large extent this work is based on U.S. government documents, including the archives of seven presidential libraries--material neglected in previous studies. Fernandez presents a backstage study of what officials of the United States and Puerto Rico have actually said and done in the course of their long relationship, contrasting this with official public statements and postures. These contrasts are striking and make for a fascinating study of America's "permanent possession." This work will be of interest to scholars and lay-readers alike concerned with the Puerto Rican question.