UWI Press Celebrates Global Award Win for Book Honouring Bridget Brereton

The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica W.I. Friday, July 24, 2026—The University of the West Indies Press (UWI Press) is pleased to announce that History Matters: Reassembling the Fragments of a Contested Past – In Honour of Bridget Brereton has been named a winner in the 28th annual Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards.

The publication, edited by UWI academics Dr Heather Cateau, Dr Rita Pemberton, and Dr Ronald Noel, has been awarded a Silver Winner in the History (Adult Nonfiction) category.

It pays tribute to the influential Caribbean historian Bridget Brereton and her significant contributions to the understanding of the region’s history. Featuring a collection of essays that explore various aspects of the economic, social, political, and cultural history of the Caribbean, it reflects Brereton’s balanced approach and commitment to complexity in historical narratives.

Foreword Reviews, a book review journal focusing on independently published books, announced the winners of its INDIES Book of the Year Awards earlier this month. These awards celebrate outstanding books published in 2025 by small, independent, and university presses.

UWI Press Managing Director Christine Randle notes, “This honour carries special significance, as History Matters pays tribute to the remarkable life and legacy of Bridget Brereton, one of the Caribbean’s most distinguished historians. We are delighted that the book has received international recognition from Foreword Reviews and extend heartfelt congratulations to the editors and contributors. This achievement highlights the global importance of Caribbean scholarship and reinforces the value of safeguarding and exploring our collective past.”

According to Foreword Reviews’ Editor-in-Chief Michelle Schingler, “Each year, as our number of entrants increases and diversifies, the task of narrowing each genre category to a select few finalists gets harder. But that also makes the judges’ ultimate selections all the more exciting. We so look forward to their final choices, and we are proud to celebrate this year’s exemplary slate of winners.”