In this aptly titled collection of papers, Verene Shepherd shuns the usual role of the cloistered academic to engage readers on a range of issues relevant to Jamaica's historical past and of contemporary Shepherd's work over the past ten years in the areas of conquest and colonization, slavery, anti-slavery and abolition, post-slavery society, decolonization and the role of gender. Added to these are contemporary issues such as migration, activism in an age of individualism and the continuing struggle for true mental liberation and respect for Black identity. Professor Shepherd's work is grounded in rigorous historical research, teaching and discourse at the academic level internationally; active participation through writing and curriculum and syllabus development for the school system at the regional level; and public service locally as Chairperson of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust Commission