[This book] contains over 500 entries on people, events, political entities, climatological and geographical features, and other factors that have shaped the history of the Dominican Republic. In addition, the book has an extensive and illuminating chronology, ranging from 4,000 B.C.E., by which time the first people had arrived on the island, to June 2015, when issues concerning undocumented Haitian immigrants living in the republic took center stage. . . .The volume contains a map, a list of acronyms and abbreviations, and a thoughtful bibliography of English and Spanish-language works covering the republic’s history, politics, economy, culture, environment, and society. Relevant reference works and Internet sources are also listed. The book will be of use to secondary school and college students as well as the general reader with an interest in our neighbors.

American Reference Books Annual

With both chronological and alphabetical organization of a wide range of historical information, Roorda’s work is a useful survey of Dominican history for those new to the topic as well as a handy reference to seasoned Dominicanists needing to quickly look up people, places, or events…. [C]ultural sensitivity, demonstrated throughout the work, adds an important dimension to an historical dictionary that, with names, dates, and facts alone, provides interesting and useful reading…. Roorda has done students, historians, and the reading public a real service in producing the Historical Dictionary of the Dominican Republic. It has historical breadth and thorough coverage, is clearly written, and conveys a cultural awareness that gives the book authenticity and interest. For those interested in the Dominican Republic, Roodra’s latest work is a must-read.

Journal of Global South Studies