Chatoyer: Freedom's War Chief From the Black Carib Series

Chief Joseph Chatoyer is the First National Hero of the island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. "Chatoyer: Freedom's War Chief" recounts, in fictional form based on careful research, the long career of this leader of the Black Caribs and his efforts to resist British attempts to acquire their homeland. This historical novel is divided into twelve chapters. The book includes a list of historical characters mentioned, a glossary, and an epilogue. The novel blends historical research with imagination to tell the remarkable tale of this leader, now revered as a hero for the people of St. Vincent, who honor his efforts to protect his people's freedom and sovereignty.

James Sweeney became fascinated with the story of the Black Caribs and their resistance to British imperialism while doing research for a history thesis on the Second Carib War. He has visited St. Vincent Island four times and the Carib reservation on Dominica . He has a BA in Sociology and Cultural Anthropology; a Teaching Credential; Master's degrees in Education/PE, Humanities/History, Anthropology, and Fine Arts/Fiction; a Ph.D. in Education, and a Writing Certificate from Stanford University. He spent his career in education teaching social studies and coaching athletics next to the Panama Canal. He also taught history, sociology, and anthropology college courses for the military community in Japan, Italy, and Spain. He and his wife currently live in California's Bay Area, where he enjoys paddling with Hawaiian outrigger canoe clubs and taking writing classes.