If you'd rather place an order by talking to one of our cheerful order desk clerks, please call 1-888-232-4444 (USA and Canada only) or 250-383-6864. From Europe, ring our UK order desk clerk at local rate number 0845 230 9601 (UK only) or 44 (0)1865 722 113.

The Truth about Curaçao

by Valdemar Marcha and Paul Verweel

132 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #08-0469; ISBN 1-4251-7580-5; US$14.35, C$14.35, EUR9.80, £7.41

The Truth about Curacao provides insight into a number of intriguing issues such as the multicultural character of Curacao, the relationship between the integration, differentiation and the fragmentation of the society.

About the Book

The Truth about Curaçao tries to offer an analysis of the social and governmental situation on the largest island of the Antilles, as seen from the point of view of its people. The book approaches the issue from the point of view of the people who live and work on Curaçao – their experiences and opinions are taken as a starting point, not the prejudices and the opinions of the opinion leaders. The people whose opinions we can read in the book are from families that have lived on Curaçao for at least three generations (the so-called Yu di Kòrsou), from the Netherlands (the European Dutchmen) or are related to the Dutch as well as the Antillean part of the Kingdom. Thus the truth about Curaçao appears to be much more balanced and complex.

The book provides insight into a number of intriguing issues such as the multicultural character of Curaçao, the relationship between the integration, differentiation and fragmentation of society, the development of Curaçao’s identity and the character of the Curaçaoan and the Dutch style of government. If this picture of Curaçao is seen as a kind of mirror, the book contains lessons for the Antillean as well as Dutch society.

The Truth about Curaçao is meant for those who would like to get acquainted with Curaçao and do not settle for the superficial images of sun, beaches, poverty and Dutch expert aid. It can be useful for politicians, civil servants, experts and tourists. For the Curaçaoan the book provides a view on his own society. It can be useful to place different oral traditions of the truth.

About the Author

Valdemar Marcha:

Gained his degree in civil engineering at the H.T.S. in Tilburg (1965) and primary education mathematics on Curaçao (1968). He subsequently studied in New York at Columbia University where he obstained his ‘Master of Science’ (1972) and ‘Doctor of Engineering Science’ (1975). He was employed at A.L.M in the years 1976-1983 as VP Marketing and later VP Finance. In that time he was also a part-time lecturer at the University of the Netherlands Antilles where he became later a full-time lecturer in the Faculty of Social and Economic Scienes since 1983. From 1987 to 1993 he was rector-magnificus of the University of the Netherlands Antilles and in 2001 he was appointed as Professor on the Special Chair of Social Cohesion and Multiculturality at the University of Utrecht (The Netherlands). Amongst others, he has published about good governance, on the cultural differences between the Netherlands and Belgium and the future of the Antilles.

Paul Verweel:

Is professor in Organization and Management from a Multicultural Perspective at the Utrecht School of Governance, Utrecht University, the Netherlands. He has published widely on topics such as diversity in organizations, mergers, strategic management, organizational culture and the construction of meaning in sport organizations.