The rhythms of steelpan, the cadence of spoken word, and the weight of history filled Julees Restaurant on Sunday as two distinguished Antiguan scholars unveiled their latest work, Cricket, Race, and Economics in West Indian Society: Where a Bat, a Ball, and a People’s Destiny Intersect.

The launch drew an audience that included Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, who praised the book and its authors, retired professors Dr. Harold R. Harris and Dr. Elijah M. James. Both men, rooted in the villages of Willikies and Newfield, have spent decades studying how history and economics shape Caribbean life. This time, they turned their attention to cricket—the sport long considered the heartbeat of the West Indies.

“This book is more than a study of cricket,” Dr. James told the audience. “It is a reflection on how sport shapes the social and economic fabric of our region.”

Dr. Harris echoed that sentiment during a moving reading from the book, which sparked a lively discussion among guests about the cultural and political significance of cricket in Caribbean identity.

The program, coordinated by cultural producer Koren Norton and hosted by Dwayne Simon, blended scholarship with artistry. Steelpan music from Jahfari Hazlewood and a stirring spoken word performance by Glen Toussaint set the tone for reflections from former cricketers and community leaders, including Vere Hill, Zorol Barthley, and Lestroy Samuel.

For Norton, the project represents more than a book launch—it is part of an ongoing conversation about how West Indians understand themselves through sport. “Cricket is a cornerstone of our Caribbean culture,” she said. “Looking at it through the lenses of race, economics, and history opens new doors for study and for self-reflection.”

Copies of the book were presented to the Governor General, who hailed the publication as a work of national importance. The afternoon ended with book signings, conversations, and a sense of pride that Antigua and Barbuda had produced two more voices contributing to the story of the West Indies.

Cricket, Race, and Economics in West Indian Society is now available on Amazon and locally through Koren Norton.