In the Shadow of the Plantation, so titled to emphasise the historical and contemporary impact of the plantation on all aspects of Caribbean life, reflects on the Caribbean experience from slavery through to the post-independence period. Divided into 4 broad thematic areas – Historiography; Production, Culture and Resistance in the Slavery Era; Forging a New Society; and Political and Socio-cultural Issues – the articles demonstrate the impact of colonialism and the plantation system on Caribbean Life and highlight the efforts that Caribbean peoples have made to uplift themselves from the trammels of colonialism.

Dedicated to, and written in celebration of Professor Woodville K. Marshall, contributors include: Bridget Brereton, Verene A. Shepherd, B.W. Higman, Winston McGowan, Heather Cateau, Jerome S. Handler, Alvin O. Thompson, Karl Watson, Noel Titus, Hilary McD. Beckles, Pedro L.V. Welch, Carl Campbell, James Rose, Swithin Wilmot, Henderson Carter, Brian L. Moore, Michele A. Johnson, Aviston Downes, Kusha Haraksingh, Rita Pemberton, Brinsley Samaroo and Kelvin Singh.