Ligon sought to regain in the Caribbean the fortune he had lost during the political turmoil of the Civil War in England. He stayed in Barbados for three years, contracted yellow fever and suffered from malnutrition. On his return to England in 1650, Ligon was promptly imprisoned for debt. In prison, he wrote this book, which was first published in 1657. His description is of special importance for its account of the early modes of sugar-making in the West Indies. At page 55 occurs the original account on which the story of Inkle and Yarico was based. The map displays various small engravings of runaway slaves, galleons, sea-monsters, camels, and other animals.

Ligon, Richard.

A True & Exact History of the Island of Barbados.

London: Printed for H. Moseley, 1673.