Publications

PONT CASSE PRESS

PONT CASSE PRESS

In 1992 Gabriel J. Christian and his long time partner in literary matters, then Canadian Associate Crown Attorney, Irving W. Andre, launched Pont Casse Press. The first publication of that initiative at placing a Dominica/indigenous perspective on Latin American Caribbean history and literature led to Andre and Christian co-authoring, "In Search of Eden: Dominica-The Travails of a Caribbean Mini State."


In 1999 Gabriel J. Christian went on to author the critically acclaimed short story "Rain on a Tin Roof." In 2002 a second edition of "Eden" was published: In Search of Eden, Essays on Dominican History.


Since 1992 Pont Casse Press has gone on to publish more than two dozen books on the Caribbean, Latin America and Diaspora history, society and politics . Andre and Christian have also authored numerous scholarly articles and essays on history, literature, rule of law and good governance.


In 2009 Pont Casse Press organized Caribbean Glory - A Tribute to the British West Indian Soldiers and Airmen who served in the British Army and Royal Air Force in World War II. The event, organized with the assistance of Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the United States and the West Indian American Military Members Association, was held at Andrews Air Force Base. The feature speaker at the event was Baroness Patricia Scotland, Her Brittanic Majesty's Attorney General. In her historic address, she expressed the gratitude of the British people for the valiant West Indian effort in assuring victory in the struggle for freedom and democracy.

Rain on a Tin Roof book cover

Rain on a Tin Roof

By Gabriel J. Christian

In his vibrant stories Christian captures the complex realities of a people whose long histories have been aching to be told, embellished with his own recollections and flair. Rain on a Tin Roof’s adventure-starved little boy, who dashes to a window to watch a hurricane swipe the galvanized-iron roofs off the island’s houses, is Christian.

The hormonal adolescent who five-finger-discounts his mother’s kitchen rum to set the mood for a day of carnival, hoping to “wriggle on his classmate Tessa’s behind,” is Christian. And Christian is also the protective brother who gives the evil eye to a crowd of jeering kids hurling stones and insults at his developmentally challenged sister.

Christian is eager to focus his attention on his home–and not to contribute to the brain drain that seems to plague most Caribbean countries, where children leave for education abroad but never return, physically or otherwise, to strengthen the islands that nurtured them.
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In search of eden book cover

In Search of Eden

By Irving W. Andre and

Gabriel J. Christian


“In Search of Eden – The Travails of a Caribbean Mini State”, which was published in 1992. In the current issue, the authors carefully detail the unfolding events in Dominica during arguably its most tumultuous years.

The collection of essays focuses on political upheaval, social unrest, constitutional change, attempted coups, and on key historical figures in Dominica. The relating of Dominica’s history is breath-taking in its level of intrigue and interest.
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Death by Fire book cover

Death by Fire

By Irving W. Andre and

Gabriel J. Christian

On Carnival Monday, February 25, 1963, a mysterious explosion took place at the back of the Mexican Band on King George V Street, Roseau Dominica. As a result of the fire which erupted amidst the gaiety of what was a carnival parade, three promising young men-Eddie Martin, Eric Shillingford and George James were fatally wounded; nineteen others received injuries.

In what is a groundbreaking work, Andre & Christian’s Death by Fire, explores the history of carnival in Dominica and the impact of that tragic event which changed the island’s traditional masquerade and , indeed, the entire society for years to come.
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Our Visit to the Island book cover

Our Visit to the Island

By Irving W. Andre and

Gabriel J. Christian

"Our Visit to the Island" is the first work by eight (8) year old Samora Dominique Christian, with the assistance of her six (6) year old brother Makonnen Leonard Christian. 

Born in Maryland of Dominican parentage, the children visited the Commonwealth of Dominica, known as the Nature Island of the Caribbean, for the first time and fall in love with its people and culture. That love had deep roots, however, as we learn that the children drew much inspiration from their Dominican born parents Gabriel and Joan Christian, who had immersed them from early on in Dominican and Caribbean community events. 

While on the island they explored the rain forest, met new friends, tasted exotic fruits and dishes, and enjoyed wading into the island's many rivers. However, they also act out their sense of civic duty by donating books at the near century old Roseau Public Library which nourished their parents, and medicines to the local general hospital. 

Delightfully illustrated by Maryland graphic artist Michael Williams, with photos from Major Francis Richards among others, we are introduced to life on a fascinating and little-known Caribbean Island. Our Visit to the Island is an excellent read and a good introduction for anyone interested in the Caribbean and its people.
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For King & Country book cover

For King & Country
The Service & Sacrifice of the Dominican Soldier

By Irving W. Andre and

Gabriel J. Christian

The role of the British West Indian soldier in World Wars I and II has been seldom explored. In this groundbreaking work, Irving W. Andre and Gabriel J. Christian, provides a fascinating history of British West Indian soldiers. Revealed is the little known 1802 revolt by British West Indian soldiers against slave conditions at Fort Shirley, Dominica; World War I action by West Indian soldiers against Turkish forces in the Middle East; and West Indians in Royal Air Force (RAF) service as pilots, navigators, bomb aimers and ground crew during World War II.

Seldom written of, and revealed here, is the fact that 7,000 British West Indians served in the RAF during World War II, and the purchase of dozens of aircraft for the RAF by West Indians who raised such funds under harsh economic conditions. This history is given a deeply personal touch as it is told through the words of two Dominican veterans who served in the British Army’s South Caribbean Forces: Wendell Christian and Twistleton Bertrand. We read also of Dominicans such as Harold Bryant, Osmunde St. Clair Alleyne, and L.A. McKoy who won high honors, to include the DFC, for their courage shown over the skies of battle torn Europe. This fascinating book should find a place on the shelf of every student of world history. It also contains 50 rare photographs of British West Indians at war.
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For King & Country book cover

For King & Country
The Service & Sacrifice of the British West Indian Military

By Irving W. Andre and

Gabriel J. Christian

The World War II service of British West Indian soldiers Wendell Christian and Twistleton Bertrand -both of Dominica - inspired this book: For King & Country: The Service and Sacrifice of the British West Indian Military. The research into their service revealed a treasure trove of hitherto unpublished material on the British West Indian role in the British military, from the Napoleonic Wars through to World War II. That British West Indian served in Palestine during World War I doing battle against Turkish forces of the Ottoman Empire, or that German U-Boats torpedoed ships at anchor in St. Lucia during World War II will be news to the average reader of West Indian history.

Here one will read of some of the 7,000 British West Indians who volunteered to serve in the Royal Air Force during World War II: Phillip Cross, DFC, DSO of Trinidad who won high honors for bravery, having executed 80 missions over occupied Europe; Errol Barrow of Barbados and Dudley Thompson of Jamaica, who served with Bomber Command; Harold Bryant of Dominica who was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery shown in air combat over Germany; and the legendary Cy Grant of Guyana, whose bomber was shot down over Holland and survived captivity in a German prison camp. Through the eyes of these brave West Indians who volunteered to serve king and country, we gain a better understanding of the strategic importance of the Caribbean in World War II and their postwar role in shaping the modern Caribbean. As with the African American soldiers and airmen whose valiant efforts later propelled social change, the British West Indians who served unleashed a similar yearning for self determination which would transform the societies from which they came.

Their leadership, coupled with others, eventually led to the independence of the British West Indies. More importantly, this well researched work evokes the need to maintain the discipline and integrity of such service to the nations of the former British West Indies which is so necessary for their survival.
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Mamo!

Mamo!
The Life & Times of Dame Mary Eugene Charles

By Gabriel J. Christian

MAMO! Is the riveting biography of Dame Mary Eugenia Charles, Prime Minister of Dominica. Mamo, was the popular nickname given Charles by islanders who she led with stern resolve for fifteen years. The work provides insight into the life of one of the leading figures in Caribbean history and one of the most notable females to ever to lead any country in recent times. The product of a 1996 interview and notes from thirteen years of interaction with Dominican born attorney and community leader Gabriel Christian, the book begins with splendid introduction with Justice Irving Andre (PhD) Canadian jurist and legal scholar who has become the preeminent biographer of Dominica s leaders of the modern era. The work spotlights Dame Charles early life in Dominica; her father's involvement in the local legislator and the politics of Caribbean nationalism.
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