In Arturo Schomburg: Racial identity and Afro-Caribbean cultural affirmation, Dr. Haydée Reichard-De Cardona, enlightens important historical-biographic facts that have remained unsettled for years over the controversial figure of the black intellectual Arturo Schomburg; including: his origin or birth, mistaken genealogy, early years as a young man in San Juan, educational formation, and hardships, crossing or migratory experience from St. Thomas to San Juan of Puerto Rico and from there to New York, games of identity and his integration to the Club Dos Antillas to the deed of the leaders of the Cuban revolution, and groups of black intellectuals. It is a serious but enjoyable piece of investigative study, duly and thoroughly documented with baptismal certificates, lists of ship passengers, acts of matrimony, minutes of clubs and logia meetings, death certificates, references to genetic proofs undertaken by family members, and others. This book by Dr. Reichard offers a new perspective, both from the standpoint of facts and theory about the enigmatic personality and identity of Arturo Schomburg. Undoubtedly, it should be read and form an indispensable part of the Studies of Arturo Schomburg and be considered by historians, and scholars dedicated to the field. —Pablo Cancio Reichard, Assistant Professor, University of Puerto Rico. Full Member of Academia Científica y de Cultura Iberoamericana. "With the skill of a genealogist and the insight of a historian, Reichard has produced by far the most rigorous and meticulous work on a longstanding riddle of Schomburg’s family background." —Dr. Jesse Hoffnung-Garskof—professor of American History and Culture at Harvard University ------------------------- "I don't know if Arturo Alfonso Schomburg – least of all Arthur A. Schomburg – ever visited the town of Aguadilla. I doubt it. But Haydée Elena Reichard, Aguadilla chronicler, tries to establish a connection between the unknown young socialist tabaquero (Arturo Alfonso) and the later famous bibliophile of neo-African culture in the Americas (Arthur A) with our people. Once again, her passion for genealogy leads Dr. Reichard to explore baptismal certificates, marriage certificates, and death declarations to illuminate an interesting fact in the history of her town, our hometown." —Efrain Barradas Professor Emeritus University of Florida. Corresponding Academician of the Academia Puertorriqueña de la Lengua Española. --------------------------- "This book, the product of a long investigation by Dr. Reichard, reveals unpublished facts about the figure of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg. In addition to presenting evidence to clarify it, the author goes beyond his place of birth. The author presents and dignifies Schomburg’s contributions, to the pride and respect of the African American community, to reaffirm his ideals. It is also a recognition of the importance of his patriotic deed, along with other Puerto Rican leaders and other nearby islanders, such as Don Roberto H. Todd, in the late nineteenth century.” —Dr. Ramonita Vega Lugo. Full Professor at the University of Puerto Rico, Department of History, Mayagüez Campus. Full member of the Academia de la Historia de San Germán and the Academia Puertorriqueña de la Historia , also a corresponding foreign member of the Academia Dominicana de la Historia