In this synthesis of literary, historical and political studies, Malouf (English, George Mason University) covers the interactions and cross- influences between Ireland and the islands of the Caribbean. He traces the immigration of Irish to the islands, usually as workers, but also, as in the case of Montserrat, as land and slave owners. The cross- cultural influences are demonstrated through the lives and work of Marcus Garvy and Claude McKay in the early twentieth century and the poet Derek Wolcott in the 1970s and 1980s. The tension between social solidarity and racial chasms runs through the book, ending in the music of Sinead O'Connor, who adapted Caribbean rhythms in her personal spiritual exploration. Malouf shows through his examples how permeable culture can be. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)