Cayman Brac is one of the smaller Cayman Islands and has a unique history and culture much of which, because of its isolation, has relied on the self-sufficiency of its population. It was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in his 1503 voyage and his son noting it was surrounded by turtles. His didn't stop. The early history of the Brac shows its population came and went and did not stay permanently until around 1830, though it was a major revitualing stop for the colonial powers who stocked up on fresh turtle. The isolation provided times when the island's mariners, known as "Iron Men in Wooden Ships," hunted and relied on the turtles for a living. For 20 years the island exported more than a million coconuts a year and built more than 36 schooners which plied the Caribbean Sea. Its men served in WW2, and then joined the shipping traders running tankers and cargo ships worldwide. The Brac has been battered by hurricanes over the years, the worst of which was the Storm of 1932 which totally devastated the island and killed 120 - 15% of its population. The island gradually rebuilt and now boasts everything from excellent communications systems to a first class hospital. Cayman Brac Now & Then tracks the self reliance of Brackers and how this has influenced the island - whether its building its own airport to building its own hospital. The book is now part of the Education Department's primary school Social Studies curriculum to which it is directly linked - providing lesson plans and additional resources.