The first reprint of Roy Bodden’s book ‘The Cayman Islands in Transition: The Politics, History and Sociology of a Changing Society’ is now in local bookstores.
Launched at the University College of the Cayman Islands in the Sir Vassel Hall in April, the book’s initial print run of 750 lasted little over a month.
Due to the heavy demand, a further 500 copies are now on the shelves, Ian Randle Publishers confirmed.
The provocative tome, which seeks to illicit debate, is the first of its kind dealing with Caymanian history by a native Caymanian. In it, the politician turned author gives a detailed overview of the forces that in his opinion have shaped the crown colony since its early settlement.
According to the publisher, the book is being touted across the region and is set to be seen further a field shortly.
‘Roy Bodden’s ‘The Cayman Islands in Transition’ continues to surprise us by the responsive chord it has struck with Caymanians,’ Mr. Randle commented.
‘The book has most recently been on display at the annual conference of Caribbean Historians in Jamaica in May and only last week at the annual meeting of the Caribbean Studies Association in Salvador da Bahia in Brazil.
‘Next month, the book will be presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Caribbean Studies at London Metropolitan University and at the meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Barbados,’ he added.
The publisher further advised that the book was expected to gain international attention later this year.
‘We will post it on Amazon and send samples to the major academic book jobbers in the US and the UK. I think we will see the cumulative effect of this exposure in the autumn,’ he remarked.
Local reaction
Local reaction to the book so far seems to be eliciting the kind of response the first time author intended.
‘I want my book to stir up a wide-ranging debate about who we are as Caymanians, in relation to each other, our history, our dealings with the United Kingdom and our future options for governance,’ Mr. Bodden said. ‘It isn’t necessary that readers agree with what I’ve written, it’s good if they take issue with the interpretive parts if it helps them form a cohesive idea of our future direction,’ he commented.
Chief Secretary and Acting Governor of the Cayman Islands George McCarthy is savouring the book’s contents. ‘Mr Bodden’s book can best be described as a scholarly and enlightened piece of work that places Cayman’s political, social, cultural, and economic development in an informative and historical context that is quite easy to grasp by readers of all age groups.
‘Personally, I am enjoying it tremendously. Normally I would read a book of this size in about 2 to 3 afternoons. In the case of this particular book, however, I am in no haste. I am taking my own (sweet) time to reflect on what is being imparted.’
Author and local columnist Barbara Currie Dailey has read the book and called Mr. Bodden courageous. ‘The Cayman Islands in Transition is a brilliant, complex and nuanced analysis of Cayman’s history, revealing both this country’s remarkable achievements and extravagant mistakes. Mr. Bodden has finally done what no one before has had the courage to do: he has placed the Cayman Islands in perspective and shown us who we really are-and why-at the beginning of the 21st century.’
She thinks the book should be widely read. ‘In particular, the chapter ‘From Frontier Society to International Financial Centre’ should be required reading for every Caymanian and resident, as well as every foreign expert, from advertising agencies to engineering consultants, paid to advise, revise, represent or promote our country overseas.’
Broadcaster and political pundit Ellio Solomon talked of the author’s scholarly approach to complex subjects. ‘As you open the book the tremendous amount of research that went into it is evident. Mr. Bodden doesn’t hesitate to assert his opinions and the combination of these two things makes his book thought-provoking and, in my opinion, a catalyst for change.’
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Development and Commerce, Samuel Rose, though taking issue terminology finds hope in the book’s aims. ‘Throughout our history, almost every attempt to advance our lot as a people has been systematically undermined not only by ‘outsiders’ (which in my humble opinion will always include the United Kingdom Government), but more insidiously by our own Caymanians vexed by the fact that they might not be able to secure for themselves ‘the biggest half’ of the proverbial pie.
‘While I am not won over by Mr. Roy’s terminology of ‘established’ Caymanians versus using the term ‘indigenous’ Caymanians, I am pleased to see that he has not trivialised the fears, concerns, and anxieties held by many Caymanians who seemingly have no other place to call home.
He called the book, ‘a clarion call for good stewardship in all areas of life in Cayman and a must read for all Caymanians.’
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