The Disenchanted Island is a comprehensive analysis of the political, economic and military relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico in the 20th century. To a large extent this work is based on US government documents, including the archives of seven presidential libraries - material neglected in previous studies. Fernandez presents a backstage study of what officials of the United States and Puerto Rico have actually said and done in the course of this long relationship, contrasting this with official public statements and postures. These contrasts are striking and make for a fascinating study of America's permanent possession.