Engaging, objective and illuminating political biographies are always welcomed, partiularly in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean were one-sided and simplistic accounts unfortunately tend to abound. That would be reason enough to celebrate the English translation of Celina Romany's now classic biography of Roberto Sánchez-Vilella, one of Puerto Rico's most imposing political figures. 

Sánchez-Vilella was a key architect and participant of Puerto Rico's modernization and of its ascendancy as a model for so-called developing countries and post-colonial territories. The able engineer served as City Manager in San Juan and Transportation Commissioner prior to serving as Secretary of State – Puerto Rico's version of Lieutenant Governor – for 12 years and later as Puerto Rico's second elected governor from 1965-68. Romany's carefully documented biography takes us from Sánchez-Vilella's formative years, his ascend to and fall from power in the Popular Democratic Party, and his influence as an elder political figure until his passing in 1997. There is no doubt that Romany's work will remain Sánchez-Vilella's definitive biography and required reading for anyone interested in understanding the formation of contemporary Puerto Rico and its politics. It is also a beautifully written book documenting the life of a true public servant in the classic sense of the term, those who are becoming increasingly scarce in our current political landscape.