Contrary to what public history and popular literature might have led us to believe, Nantucket is historically an island of rich cultural diversity. Here, author Frances Ruley Karttunen introduces us to the original Nantucketers-the Wampanoags-as well as to African slaves, Pacific islanders, Irish refugees, Azoreans, and Cape Verdeans who over the years have found a home on Nantucket. Here, too, is a look at the island's connection to Jamaica, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia-all sources of people who have contributed to the island's economy and added dimensions to Nantucket's culture. Alongside the Coffins, the Starbucks, the Pinkhams, the Macys, and the Swains (to mention just a few of the families of "descended Nantucketers"), these "strangers" dreamed and toiled, struggled and triumphed...and ultimately transformed the notion of what it means to be a Nantucketer. At last, thanks to the author's inside knowledge and diligent research, these "other islanders" can be recognized and celebrated for all that they did and all that they aspired to do on the off-shore island of Nantucket. Book jacket.