This book should become a major contribution to Latin American studies, because it provides fresh perspectives on topics we'd thought we already knew well. It does so by relating Latin America to vital issues in history, notably recent research on frontier history, "the new Western history," & themes of race, class & gender. The chapter by Susan Socolow, discussing Argentine frontier women & thus engendering the history of the gauchos, is particularly strong, but so are most of the others. One drawback is that coverage is largely limited to the far margins of Spanish America (northern Mexico & Rio de la Plata regions), when there is plenty of work to do on the frontiers of core areas of Spain's New World empire, e.g. Peru & Bolivia. (There is some fine material on Brazil, but the book's main emphasis is on Spanish America.) Nevertheless, this work definitely advances understanding of important aspects of Latin American history.

I am a culinary student, and was given this by a friend- what a wonderful resourse! (be advised I did find one or two editing quirks). I really enjoyed the 'overview' of the resturants, recipes, suggested menues and layout. Very Wonderful cookbook (tho the Montery is the weakest of the series). I got an 'A' using the Cajun recipes from this for a final project!

Placing Costa Rica in the Central American context, Booth evaluates common myths about Costa Rican democracy. He finds the glass half full and half empty: Costa Rica's demanding citizens and a responsive government interact vibrantly, yet 1980s-90s financial crises permitted neoliberal foreign lenders to somewhat erode democracy and undermine redistributive programs that once supported it. Citizens' beliefs and demands sustain democracy, but frustration with hard times and politicians eroded election turnout in 1998. Not a travel guide, the book should interest students, scholars, policy makers, travellers seeking depth of information. Beginning with theories about the nature of democracy and how it develops, Booth traces the growth of Costa Rican politics from militarism and elite rule in the late 19th c. through the development of full democracy since 1949. Chapters focus on how the present constitution and institutions work, social structure and civil society. There are also chapters political participation and culture, political economy under external neoliberal pressures, and foreign policy. Tables and an appendix provide abundant data on elections, politics, economy, and society through 1998.

Jere' Franco has illustrated the sacrifice and important contributions Native Americans have made to the war effort, both in combat and on the home front. This book highlights the fact that despite centuries of warfare and oppression, Native Americans revitalized the warrior code and demonstrated their patriotism by fighting for the same U.S. Government their forefathersopposed. The photos capture the faces of the dedication and purpose Indians brought to the war effort, and Franco's writing reflects the extensive research she invested into telling this important, but often neglected, segment of history. Of unique interest to me was was how the Third Reich attempted to sway Native Americans against the American government, even to the extent of declaring the Sioux Nation "Aryan" and promising to repatriate the annexed lands back to native people should they rebel against their country. The cultural observances Indian people remark on in the course of the war are particularly intriguing, and following the reading of the book one is left with a profoundly-lasting appreciation of Native people and the role they played in protecting the interests of their nation. Whether your interest is in Indian culture, military history, anthropology, government reforms, or international relations, Crossing the Pond displays all of these elements in telling detail and challenges the assumption that Indian people have not contributed to America's security. In fact, given their consecutively high-enlistment rates in the military across the 20th Century, many have given their lives to protect the land and values of the ancestors. A wonderful book and an appropriate tribute to Native veterans.

The "Cruising Guide To Cuba" covers in great detail in a first person narrative the entire coast and all of the coastal cities, ports, and harbors, i.e., about ninety percent of what is worth seeing in Cuba. Written as a first person memoir, the book is extremely readable as a novel, with local customs and situations described extensively to place the reader in Cuba, at the docks, talking with the friendly Customs guards and mechanics. Having been to Havana many times, I find the character of the country better captured in this book than in any travel guide or any other book about Cuba, including "Our Man in Havana". With humor, fairness, and keen insight into the truly comfortable Latin American way of doing things such as living intelligently with spontaneity and vitality, Charles goes farther than anyone to rectify the embedded Yanqui mistrust of Cuba by describing actual experiences which let the reader know that the embargo against that counrty has resulted in a great loss to our people: knowledge and understanding of one of the most beautiful places, and most enlivening cultures on earth. This seems to be one of those classics like "Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" which some readers will dismiss as too narrow for their general interests. This book is as much about boats and cruising as that classic was about machinery: it is in there, but there is a wonderful, on-going essay about cultures, philosophy, and, without asking it directly, the one big question: who has lost the most in the ridiculous campaign of hatred against this proud, historically magnificent country, us or them? There are other cruising guides to Cuba which are dry and obviously format and budget driven. There are similar travel guides by the usual publishers for inland excursions. "The Cruising Guide To Cuba" stands out because it is obviously a labor of love, written by a man and his mate who have spent years in research and preparation; some seven months alone for the second edition just to circumnavigate the island one more time. Other authors write of Cuba as they would any other assignment, with predictable and often useful factual results, as if they are writing about a beautiful actress they saw on stage and later interviewed. This book goes far beyond the quick glance infatuation, as if the author went to the beautiful woman's house and lived with her intimately and came away with enduring respect and admiration. A sage exile architect I know listened to my account of feeling miserable for not having been to Havana in over a year. "Yes," he said, "it started as lust, but then it turned to sincere love, and you cannot forget her, can you? None of us can." Forget the leg shows and cigars; Cuba without those pop buzz topics is a direct shock to the heart, it will leave you wondering why we remain so poorly informed about one of the most relaxing and desirable places on earth. Charles' book brings that message across, with respect and admiration for what is actually there and what it is like to be there. In the same way that "The Old Man and The Sea" was not necessarily about fishing, this cruising guide is not necessarily just about boats and charts, although as just that, it is worth the price.

I read this book in April of 2002 before going to Scotland for ten days on business and pleasure. Please pardon the lack of detail in this review, since it has been a year. It gave me a good foundation for understanding many aspects of Scottish society and history. I did not want to read a simple tourist reference guide about the attractions of Scotland-I desired to know more about the people and culture. It turned out to be a terrific book was for me.

Author, Jamie Grant, touches uses his "Guide to Customs and Etiquette" to describe history, stereotypes and the nature of the people, "fitting in", doing business, arts & entertainment, food & drink, the outdoors, The Highlands, and Do's and Don't. His humor makes helps to make an already interesting book fresh.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone going to Scotland who wants to get a comprehensive overview of Scotland, especially if it is their first time. I learned a lot from it.

-EH

Rinnah Two Feathers is looking forward to her summer vacation. She and her two best friends, Tommy Red Hawk and Meagen Paige, are staying in a cabin in Spearfish Canyon as guests of Meagen's dad. But on the first day, Rinnah is handed a note from a nervous, mysterious woman who says "They're after the rose," before taking off again. Then the woman is found face down in a pond. The note is confusing, but the trio is determined to discover what it means. With every clue they piece together, they discover they're in more danger. Meanwhile, Meagen is having a hard time adjusting to the new woman in her dad's life. This summer is shaping up to be anything but restful.

This is the second in a new mystery series for kids. I'd enjoyed the first, and this one didn't disappoint me in the least. The characters are real kids with strengths and weaknesses. The plot left me confused until the end. Mr. Johnson skillfully weaves sub-plots into the story and pulls off several tense, atmospheric scenes. I was turning the pages quickly for the last 50, trying to find out what would happen next.

Kids ready to move on from the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew will love this new series featuring great characters, plot, and writing. My only complaint? The third one isn't out yet!

This book takes the reader on a journey through several cities and archeological sites of Peru. The archeological information is wonderful and there is a large bibliography, glossary of Quechua terms as well as a discography of Andean music. Some of the descriptions will take your breath away with the beauty of the picture he paints and the skillfully crafted writing. This thoughtful book goes beneath the skin and touches the soul of Peru. A must-read before going to Peru!

This novel is yet another classic by Schlesinger. I enjoyed it emmensly for a variety of reasons. First, Schlesinger makes his novel appeling to both the avid history fan, student of history, and teacher of history, thus allowing everyone to understand his work. Furthermore, Schlesinger explains his work in using his every present political shrewdness aswell as dry wit. This is a refreshing change from the dry unending style of many historians. The major points explained in this work are the cycling of American politics and its effects on the past, present, and future. This gives it an even more universal quality which even students of politics can appreciate.

I had the privilege and honor to be one of Professor Luis Martín's pupils at SMU a decade and a half ago. I recall his playful, excitable and gregarious personality, as well as his trademark lectures in which he typically juggled history, theology, poetry, sociology and hard-core Sevillian gossip!

Such is the trademark of his writing in "Daughters of the Conquistadores." Don Luis artfully stretches the imagination of the reader by plotting in occurences and tribulations of nuns, divorcees, concubines, "tapadas" and "beatas" in the colonial Peru of 1550-1800. In a most authentic and self-bred style, he narrates the mysteries and abuses taking place in convents and nunneries, haciendas and palaces; and underlines the influence of women in a society relentlessly dominated by "Don Juanism" and sternly regulated and probed by an over-zealous Catholic church.

A book tough to research and tougher to write, "Daughters of the Conquistadores" is fun to read, bare of profound insights and laden with satyrical, albeit tragic, anecdotes.