The first comprehensive discussion of the major Caribbean thinkers who came to Britain. Written in an accessible, lively style, with a range of wonderful and distinguished authors. Key book for thinking about the future of multicultural Britain; study thus far has concentrated on Caribbean literature and how authors `write back¿ to Britain ¿ this book is the first to consider how they `think back¿ to Britain. A book of the moment - nothing comparable on the Carribean influence on Britain.. Discusses the influence, amongst others, of C. L. R. James, Una Marson, George Lamming, Jean Rhys, Claude McKay and V. S. Naipaul.

General editor's introductionNotes on contributorsAcknowledgementsIntroduction. Crossing the seas - Bill Schwarz1. What is a West Indian? - Catherine Hall2. 'To do something for the race'. Harold Moody and the League of Coloured Peoples - David Killingray3. A race outcast from an outcast class. Claude McKay's experience and analysis of Britain - Winston James4. Jean Rhys: West Indian intellectual - Helen Carr5. Una Marson: feminism, anti-colonialism and a forgotten fight for freedom - Alison Donnell6. George Padmore - Bill Schwarz7. C. L. R. James: visions of history, visions of Britain - Stephen Howe8. George Lamming - Mary Chamberlain9. 'This is London calling the West Indies'. The BBC's Caribbean Voices - Glyne Griffith10. The Caribbean Artists Movement - Louis James11. V. S. Naipaul - Sue ThomasAfterword: the predicament of history - Bill SchwarzIndex