As the Preface states; this book is a result of a research project for the History Department of the University of the West Indies. It is a work which sought to examine the way in which the slave policy of the British government was implemented in a new slave colony. Faced with recalcitrance on the part of the older West Indian colonies; the Colonial Office did not accord Trinidad an independent legislature because it felt it could more easily implement its slave policy. Trinidad proved to be no more compliant than the other colonies; and logistically was not easy to supervise. No study has previously been done of the slave process in Trinidad. A statistical analysis of the registration was undertaken by A. Meredith John in 1988. The present study is important because it has focussed on an area that needed to be examined; and one which illustrates that one cannot generalise on the West Indies. It shows how easily a policy can fail; if administrators are not in sync - as those in London were not during this seminal period. The baneful effects of the British experiments extended to persons like the free coloured and black people; who were on the periphery of the system; but who were materially affected by it. This book is significant because it fills a gap in knowledge about an important aspect of the island's history. It also affords an opportunity to look at the attempt to make changes in a society that; for the most part; was not English. As such it stands as a warning of the need to understand the cultures of those for whom systems are devised before they are imposed.
#11537720 in Books Wildside Press 2010-12-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x 1.69 x 5.51l; 2.11 #File Name: 1434428427768 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. What else can I say except this is a classic ...By SeplaireWhat else can I say except this is a classic - a treasure-trove of beliefs; rituals and traditions of "Magic" and "Religion" (and wherever the twain; and medicine; do meet). This is an all-encompassing reference book invaluable to those who were mesmerized by Greek mythology; entranced by the sylvan and nature beliefs and rituals of both ancient times and aboriginal practices. Certainly not written with any thought of "political correctness" (Frazer lumps most aboriginal humans - both past and Frazer's present day - as "barbarians" or "savages"); the reader must consider when this was written; yet; one will find terminology still used today (remember the movie "Practical Magic").1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. awesome read !By Barry D. DicksonIf you're into deep and mysterious spirituality; you are going to love this book !8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Golden Bough; a classicBy Steve MissalExcellent oldie but goody....you can't go wrong with this condensed version of the multi-volume classic about magic and religion in human history. By the time you've read it; you will never think of human history the same way again.
