A true & exact history of the island of Barbados by Richard Ligon
"A True & Exact History of the Island of Barbados" by Richard Ligon is a historical account written in the mid-17th century. This work chronicles Ligon's experiences and observations during his travels to Barbados, offering insight into the island's geography, flora, and the sugar production process, alongside socio-political contexts. The narrative serves as both a personal account and a broader commentary on colonial endeavors, particularly in the Caribbean. The opening of the
book presents Ligon's motivations for undertaking this journey, highlighting the circumstances that compelled him to leave England. He begins with his reflections while imprisoned, acknowledging a debt of gratitude towards a friend who encouraged him to document his observations of Barbados. Ligon describes the beauty of the island and its rich resources, introducing readers to both the natural landscape and the people he encounters. He paints a vivid picture of his voyage, touching on maritime details and the diverse marine life that captures his attention. Throughout this beginning, the tone blends curiosity with an earnest desire to inform and enlighten his readers about the island's potential for prosperity through sugar cultivation and trade. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
A true and exact history of the island of Barbados
Original Publication
United Kingdom: Humphrey Mosley, 1657.
Credits
Sonya Schermann, John Campbell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Reading Level
Reading ease score: 60.0 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.