As its charismatic labour leader, its first Chief Minister, its first Premier and first Prime Minister, V.C. Bird dominated the political life of Antigua and Barbuda for the 55 years between 1939 and 1994. Shouldering Antigua and Barbuda: The Life of V.C. Bird is the first full-length biography of this great Antiguan and Barbudan political leader. Beginning with a close look at the path of Bird's development as a man and as a politician, the book then examines the major achievements and failures of his rule.