Few islands anywhere have been refashioned by man to the extent of Grand Bahama. P.J.H. Barratt, a town planner formerly in charge of the development of Freeport, writes from a first-hand knowledge of the island in all its aspects - from the "island of the great shallows" of early sixteenth century discovery by Europeans, to the spectacular development in more recent times of the new city and resort of Freeport. Once a barren, pine-covered land, Grand Bahama is now the second most populous of the Bahama Islands. The creation of Freeport was undoubtedly a social and economic experiment of the first importance that did not come into being without first overcoming serious difficulties. Apart from Freeport and a few scattered settlements the island, for the most part, remains unspoiled; tranquil beauty being its dominant characteristic. The Grand Bahama of today is a major resort destination, an island with an exciting future, facing up to the many challenges posed by an independent, emerging society. In this new edition (the fourth printing), the author has revised the text, introducing updated information on the many aspects of Grand Bahamian life as well as including several new colour and black and white photographs.