I homeschool my 11 year old son. He chose to do a project on the Maya and came across this book at the library. What a great book! The pictures are beautiful and the style of writing is very friendly.

You can tell that Peter loves his job of researching and writing. I highly recommend this book. I know that I am heading out to find more written by Peter!

Blessings,
Debbie

Every student of Latin American literature should read this book, which is the most compelling critical perspective in the field today.

A young naturalist sets out to single-handedly explore the Amazon basin in the mid-19th century, his only help being Indian guides and interpreters.
This book is so refreshing after reading other travelogues that are either too introspective or full of overblown hyperbole. Mr.Wallace is, I admit, a favourite author of mine, but there is nothing partisan in my praise for his writing ability; in another, later, book he says he is no writer, but his minute descriptions of people, places and environs conjures up mental pictures almost as good as a video. He doesn't over-elaborate points, but describes them so well that any more words would be superfluous. Having read Humboldt's descriptions of the same areas, I know whose I prefer - one can almost smell the soil and foliage.
Reading the book today, there is something a little disturbing in the casual way he shoots everything that crosses his path to add to his collection, but when we consider the alternative of drawing and measuring each item on the spot (no cameras then) and the hyper-abundance of animal life in the forest at that time, it is no wonder he takes the easy option. There was no environmental crisis nor any need for species protection in those days - an area the size of Europe was governed from a town of 15.000 people!

He poses some questions that underpin the theory of evolution by natural selection, and it is interesting to observe first-hand the mental process of trying to understand why and how different species became adapted to a particular shape and lifestyle. Wallace and Darwin corresponded and independently arrived at the same result, which culminated in 'The Origin of Species' (also recommended); although Wallace had doubts about the completeness of the theory, believing in a higher authority which lent a helping hand now and again - reminding us a little of the modern-day clash between Gould & Dawkins.

A great example of good travel writing *****
This review refers to the original 1889 copy.

Following a series of recommended drives throughout the Middle South from west to east, this compact little book provides an excellent listing of sights (including brief descriptions) that a reasonably intelligent reader might enjoy. I read it with highlighter in hand, marking the sights that appealed to me, an approach I recommend to others.

Mr. White appears to be an active bird-watcher (he apparently has written other books on that subject). Readers who share that interest will find this book particularly interesting, since he highlights the best bird-watching spots along the Gulf Coast.

Ideal for planing your trip to Washington, D.C., Virginia, West Virignia, Maryland and Delaware , Delawer. You will have several routs to explore this part of the country. Tips, Maps and Photographs that give you a very good picture of your trip. This will help you to don't miss any of the important places of the road. Ideal for visiting the historic places of DC area

Goo

Of all the campbooks I have bought or looked at, no one has the easy to read and spot what you are looking for in a campground as the old 'Rand McNaly Campground and Trailor Park Directory'. All there, at a glance, in columns. Not having paragraphs to read through, nor cities to look up. I have pet and would want electricity, etc, at a glance I know what to expect.

I have probably twenty New Orleans books in my library. This one is essential--one of the 5 best. I am ordering extra copies for European business associates I met with in New Orleans.

If you don't even know what a sweat-lodge is you might not get what you are looking for reading this book. However, for those who would like to learn more about Native American spiritual practices, it's a rich supply of knowledge. The book sets forth the history of the Sweat-lodge in many cultures, and also tells some great ancient tales of the lodge--great for telling in the lodge, or around the fire.

In this book, anthropologist Rudi Colloredo-Mansfeld provides an ethnography of a small weaving village outside of Otavalo, Ecuador in the South American Andean mountains. The Otavalo Indians have become famous internationally for marketing their textiles (such as thick, wool sweaters) and playing traditional pan-pipe Andean music. Colloredo-Mansfeld examines how economic success has influenced the Indians' craft traditions, social networks, and consumption patterns. As the Indians have become wealthy, class and ethnic divisions have emerged in local communities. He expertly explores how the Indians have negotiated these local and global interactions. One of the most fascinating aspects of this book is the pen and ink drawings which accompany the text. He describes how while living in Otavalo conducting the research for this book his act of drawing led to "a more complex relationship among observed, observer, and those observing the observer" (p. 50). It reversed power relations and opened up intimate opportunities for him to become a more active member of the community, which has resulted in a more complex and nuanced study of the community.