Co-founder of Pont Casse Press, Dr. Irving Andre, has launched two of his latest literary work.
One highlights the progress of football in Dominica over a century, and the other, a flashback to the historical times of British West Indians in Curaçao fighting through challenges and emerging with some great achievements.
The books; ‘A Century of Dominican Football’ and ‘Strangers in Suffisant’ were launched earlier this week at the Fort Young Hotel to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the founding of Pont Casse Press.
Dr. Andre, in his outline of “A Century of Dominican Football”, stated that the book presents a panoramic view of Dominican football from its modest beginnings in the 19th century to the present.
The 150-page book features the local stalwarts of the game throughout the century and contains a rare collection of photographs of Dominican football teams from 1926 to the present.
“The first one of Dominica history, it covers the period from about 1900 to the present. It speaks to the development of football, the development of league football, those persons who throughout the decades distinguished themselves on the football field, but also in the academic arena, what happened in the World War II, it speaks to the resurgence of football; the great teams of the 50’s and the 60’s.”
“Strangers in Suffisant” focuses on the exodus of British West Indians who migrated to Curaçao and Aruba in the 1940s. The book provides the personal accounts of numerous Dominicans and others from neighbouring islands.
Dr. Andre added it gives details of British West Indians who encountered many drawbacks on their journey to success.
“You may know that during the war, thousands of British West Indians went to Curaçao in search of work, and most of them, years in the oil refineries in those two countries; Curaçao and Aruba. You may not know about the conditions which they had to deal with, the treatment they received, and these obstacles to success which they encountered,” he remarked.
Dr. André details the many challenges confronted by the majority of these workers and the numerous achievements of those who either returned to Dominica or migrated to Europe or North America.
“Strangers in Suffisant” is the third installment of a trilogy of books which focus on the Caribbean during World War II. The first book is For King and Country: The Service and Sacrifice of the British West Indian Military and is co-authored by Gabriel Christian.
The second book is titled: Sanctuary: How Dominica Saved Guadeloupe and Martinique during World War II.
Interesting title!
As a former inhabitant of Suffisant I am very interested in reading this book.
How and where can I order this book? ( or PDF?)
Kind regards.
Mike Jacobs
Irvine…..thanks for chronicling our history.
One question I have for you: when do you find the time to sleep?
Thank you, Dr. Andre.
Your writings continue to enlighten us on our history,
Great reads. Especially Dominicans in Curacao !
ok alright. cool. yah