I bought both this book and the Moon Handbook of Nicaragua. I found the Footprint guide more simple and more to the point--easy to read in an evening to "get your bearings", and the maps are great. The Moon Handbook is more complete.
I would recommend buying both these guidebooks--they are complimentary.

Richard Leonardi's travel guide on Nicaragua as part of the Footprint series is not only the best English language guide that I have ever read, it is also the best travel companion and resource that I have ever used punto finale.

I was four years in the Merchant Navy and in my current life as a film maker and journalist for the BBC and Irish television I have travelled extensively. What this means is that I have had continual need of practical, up to date and accurate information on the countries I have visited like Japan, Mexico, the Faeroe Islands or elsewhere. Practical help in a travel book is usually the first refuge of the traveller who is stuck and the last refuge of that scoundrel author who does not check and check again the details he or she is tasked to provide for an extremely dependent audience. In this regard Richard Leonardi is on the side of the travel guardian angels. In fact his book is so good that in my five week stay in Nicaragua I sought him out to tell how much I appreciated his "companionship" whilst myself and my partner were on the road. I never do things like that!

The author actually lives in the country and takes a passionate interest in the life of Central America generally and this commitment shines through the book. Indeed, we found only one mistake in this book of some 300 pages if the excellent maps at the back of the book are included. The mistake is forgivable and occurs on page 134 in a reference to the beautiful town of Rivas. We were looking for a place which would change American Express travellers cheques and the book refers us to El Banco de Finanzas which is correctly described as being near the fire station in the town. The only problem is that the staff there firmly denied any policy of changing American Express cheques. On the immediate plus side, however, the book refers the weary traveller to a nearby restaurant the Rayuela which more than makes up for the recalcitrant bank staff with its well made, cheap and entirely fresh fare. Indeed, accurate descriptions and honest assessments of restaurants and eateries is a feature of the book. The best restaurant and craic (an Irish phenomenon including talk, song and dance) from Leonardi's extensive research was found at Dona Conchi's in Granada where I came away in the early hours with a singing palate and a mortero or mortar and pestle made of volcanic lava. This gift from the gracious Dona Conchi herself now has pride of place in my house. The only other quibble I have with the book is that the description of the route to the fascinating El Fortin in Leon could be made clearer as one risks approaching the historic fort via the municipal dump which is very unhealthy and possibly dangerous. The images of people scavenging through the detritus and residue of once revolutionary Leon's inhabitants will stay with me for ever.

Those two slight complaints aside, I cannot praise Footprints travel guide to Nicaragua highly enough. Quite apart from the author's diligence in ensuring the accuracy of his information, his descriptions of the political and cultural importance of Nicaragua are second to none. We climbed three volcanoes whilst in Nicaragua and we felt much closer to the history, legends and physical aspects of these sometimes fiery mountains from digesting the contents of the guide book. The best example of this comes in the descriptions of angry Concepcion and earth mother Maderas on the beautiful island of Ometepe. Ometepe and El Mar Dulce (the huge fresh water sea which surrounds the island) was the highlight of our trip. On page 139, Leonardi tells the ancient story of how a beautiful princess called Ometepetl met with Nagrando a warrior prince and the pair fell in love. Their respective tribes, however, were at war and this led to a suicide pact between them. This destruction of a match made in heaven led the angry Gods to flood the land producing the vast fresh water lake which exists to this day.

There is one other aspect which pleases me personally. Leonardi never patronises his leadership by being bland. He offers his opinions on many aspects of life in Nicaragua and bases these opinions on extensive research. It is this exciting mixture of hard facts and general cultural information which makes the book such a success. In fact you could never set foot in Nicaragua and still buy the book because you would feel you knew the country so well after reading it. The layout is easy to handle with boxed sections for particular pieces of information and a regular format for each of the geographical areas so you know, for example, that there will always be a food section at that certain point in the sector in which you are interested. The pictures are reflect the Nicaragua we saw and have been composed by people who liked taking photographs which helps. Go out and buy it. Treasure it as you use it as a resource in Nicaragua linda and guard the book well as other travellers will ask or borrow it and then quietly slip away in to the balmy Nicaraguan night never to be seen again.

I am a Foreign Service Employee stationed at the American Embassy in Managua. This book has proved to be invaluable resource for travel; both official and unofficial. I admit that I may be predudested because I met Richard on a tour in a very remote part of Nicaragua, that was desolate and without normal tourist type facilities, he assisted as a guide and exteremely impressed me with his knowledge and the respect he had with and for the locals and how they responded to him. I later found out about his book and purchased it. He has truly and honestly done outstanding research in his writing; he has lived there close to 7 years and developed close connects with the people and facilities with whom he deals and writes about. I can truly vouche for his recommendations; which I have found to be true and honest appraisals. I highly reommended this book if you decide to try Nicaragua!!

D Ijames

I read the spanish original, which is a refreshing fire hose that strips off the Latin American strongman mystique (Castro, Peron, Villa, Sandino); and, especially the warped idea that violence is the tonic that Latin Americans need to remedy their economic and political woes. A great counter balance to books like "Modern Latin America" by Skidmore and Smith which present a sympathetic view of Castro and other social engineers that have brought only disasters to their "democratically represented constituents" while blaming the U.S. for their failures. Helps explain the bitter humor behind the "Yanqui go home, and take me with you" slogan scrawled on a wall in the Dominican Republic during the 1965 U.S. intervention. Read and weep.

I was very surprised to finally read a book that doesn't portray Latin America as a "victim" of the US or the Old World. I think these three authors intelligently challenge the populist ideologies and myths of the left and the right that have made so much damage all over the spanish speaking countries south of the USA. Having met many "perfect latin american idiots" in the past, I can see now why they are so enraged with the succes of this book. They are perfectly described and they don't look pretty. For anyone else, this book offers a fresh, sharp insight in to Latin American issues that until recently were considered property of marxist and nationalist leaning intellectuals. These writers are shooting straight to the heart and they make no apologies.

Forget about political theories, economical utopias and planet-sized libraries. Theories and books do not matter as much as that which the minds perceive, and how those minds carry out what the books say.

If you want the truth about Latin American extremist psychology, how they explain and justify their existence and misery and how they blame the "superpowers" for everything from global warming to hunger in Ethiopia, read this book! Learn how they weave their demagogic conspiracy theories using partial truths and superficial, apparent logic. The book is not only about the presidential leaders like Castro. It also describes the mind of the young, yet-unknown political leader in college (most of the time a leftwing extremist) that sparks the creation of groups than in turn revere the "big guys".

The book is so real that reading it is like living in Latin America for about 10 years. Reading it gives more information than 10 years of analyzing the economy and politics of Latin America. Minds move people and change the political course of nations.

Recommended for students, politicians, strategists, business people, and anybody wanting to visit Latin America for more than a few days.

Book is well designed; choice of content is good. Historical selections are given a tan background which is dark enough to make the text more difficult to read than it might be. This also could be 'old' eyes. Book seems well copy-edited for textual errors. The long lists of primary and secondary sources seems to be a 'feature' of history texts these days. Rather intimidating, particularly for the beginning history student. A shorter list might be more helpful and appropriate. Problems:
If you cannot pronounce a word, you cannot learn it. Some of this may be due to my 'studying at home', but even the student who attends a regular class will be left at a loss on how to pronounce many, many words. More help is needed.
The ancilliary materials, Map Workbook and Original Document Workbook, are not up to the level of the main text. The Map Workbook uses muddy, black and white versions of the colored text maps, and answer some of their own questions, while some of the cities which the student is asked to identify are 'off the map'. The Original Document workbook is a joke. Few selections, 18pt type, lots of white space, typos, layout poor at times. Junk.
There are numerous instances in the main text of clumsy English. One example will have to do:
P.160 "Although the cultural and social developments of the Early Empire were similar to those of the last century of the Republic, there were also significant changes as a result of the new imperial order."
Are they similar or are they different? 'Developments' is the wrong word. 'Also' is a junk word. 'There were significant changes' is weak (intransitive). Better:
"Although some cultural and social features of the Early Empire were similar to those of the last century of the Republic, the new imperial order brought significant changes." Good transition sentence. -17% word count from original.

I have 3rd edition set, and took Western Civ II with Dr. Spielvogel at Penn State. His teaching and his book are by far the best history instruction (or any instruction) I've ever had. A brilliant educator and writer, this text is definately the one you want for any course on Western Civ. Spielvogel includes "Day in the Life" sidebars, as well as the opposing point of view (e.g. the Crusaders in Muslim Eyes, an account of a Muslim's viewpoint).

Professor Emeritus Spielvogel has a unique teaching style that makes history interesting and captivating. This style is mirrored in this book. The text is enhanced by many diagrams, maps and charts. An annotated suggested reading list at the end of each chapter provides its readers with a strong base from which one can begin further research. "Western Civilization" is a very flexible book; it can be used on either the High School or College level and can easily be divided into different themes. If your purposes lead you to non-western areas of history, then try Spielvogel's "World History", co-author by Professor Emeritus William J. Duiker.

JB Priestly wrote a book about time ('Man and Time') and in it he referred to a WH Hudson novel called 'A Crystal Age'. His couple of paragraphs about 'A Crystal Age' stimulated my interest but nowhere could I find the novel he referred to. However, I did find 'Green Mansions' and I have read it several times. It is a beautiful novel with an undertone of darkness (is death the darkness that we all live with during the beauty of life?). Perhaps 'Green Mansions' disappointed me a little after triggering my romantic nerve. I did, however, keep exploring the writings of WH Hudson - 'Long Ago and Far Away', 'The Purple Land', 'Idle Days in Patagonia' and the wonderful 'A Shepherd's Life'.

On a recent trip to the States I visited a small specialist bookshop where it was suggested I might be able to get access to 'A Crystal Age' through abebooks.com. This was great advice. I have just finished reading 'A Crystal Age' and I concur with JB Priestley's assessment. 'A Crystal Age' is worth the effort of pursuing - it is a surprising first-person utopian novel in which Hudson's love of nature does not render him oblivious to the fact that there are downsides in all worlds - all imaginable worlds. Just like the dark shadows in 'Green Mansions'. The end of 'A Crystal Age' is so surprising - I believe very few readers would see what is coming - I certainly didn't as I rushed on towards it. There is a certain illogic to the ending, but there is also something that haunts me continuously. I hope the illogic has not been a contributing factor in this novel's failure to be reprinted. But why else has it not been picked up - I am sure there is a market.

'A Crystal Age' is a stronger less romantic novel than 'Green Mansions', but it is also exceptional for many reasons. I don't hesitate in recommending 'Green Mansions' but I also urge readers to pursue 'A Crystal Age' - it is only a matter of time before I will be re-reading it myself. As for publishers who are looking for books from the past to reprint - give 'A Crystal Age' a look.

I read the Classic Comic version of this book many times when I was a kid. I've only now just read the original and found it's haunting beauty lingered in my mind for the last 2 weeks. The description of Abels mental travails at the end of the book is a particularly memorable and inspired.

The main male charachter has reason to leave civilization and travels far into South American jungles, meets with native tribes, and finds one which takes him in. They all seem happy with him until his curiosity gets the best of him, and he goes to a 'forbiden forest' so feared by this tribe he becomes ostricised for having been there.

In the second part of this book he befriends a mysterious girl who lives in the forest and seems more farie than human. He finds himself doing things for her which he would have never thought he would do for another person.

This is a clasic love story, intriguing, beautiful, and tragic. This was one of my first introductions to the classics of lliterature, and prompted me to find and read more of classic literature which has greatly enriched the scope of my reading experiences.

This is not a feminist novel in the politically correct fashion, yet still enables an integrity in the women that is rarely seen. Isabel Allende has extraordinary ability to tell stories that reflect emotions so strongly that the characters become a part of you. I don't recall how many times I've read this book. I'll read a favorite story before I go to sleep for pleasant dreams, or the whole book from time to time. Everytime I borrow the book out, my recipient has enjoyed it so much that I end up giving the book to them. Read this book, and realize the beauty of Allende's world.

After being recommended this book by a friend, I sought out to find it. My bookstore only had Eva Luna in stock so I bought that and read it. For me, Eva Luna was a bit boring and not everything I expected so it was with hesitance that I decided to purchase The Stories of Eva Luna. But am I glad I did! Each story each worth reading, I could not put the book down and read it in two days. It has got to be one of the best books I have ever read. Magical, witty and full of imagination, Isabel Allende is truly a great author.

Anyone wishing to read a book of stories that mesmerizes you like the first stories you ever heard need look no further than this superb collection. The framing premise is that Eva and her lover Rolf have relaxed after an amorous encounter, and now Rolf wishes Eva to tell him a story ("Make it up for me," he tells her). From the bed, Eva spins 23 amazing stories drawing from fairy tales, magic realism, the chaotic history of Latin America, and the reality (including dream reality) of women's contemporary and past lives. Varying broadly in their setting and characters, the stories remain unified in their unflinchingly tough-minded view of life, filtered through the wish fulfillments of a tempestuous seductress. Using the inspiration of The Thousand Nights and a Night, Allende refracts the empowerment of women in a male-infested world through the lens of the power of words. The stories have a cumulative impact, but individual titles that stand out to this reader include "The Little Heidelberg," "Walimai," "If You Touched My Heart," "The Judge's Wife," "Our Secret," "Ester Lucero," and the wrenching final story, "And of Clay Are We Created" (with an ending similar to Woody Allen's Radio Days). Having been stranded on the flotsam of political chaos herself, Allende acutely details shifts in the characters' fates as citizens of impoverished and disempowered cultures. Moreover, the notion that postmodern narrative offers style but little feeling or substance is disproved by this author and book. Highly recommended

Fascinating study of African slave trade focusing on the Moslem African slaves. Servants of Allah offers excellent survey of the African cultural and geopolitical situation prior to and during the years of the slave trade. It is through this foundation that we understand the various ethnic and religious roots of the African slaves.

Wisely the book has not focused on the middle passages covered in many other works but instead focused on the lives of Moslem slaves, in particular, in US, Caribbean and Brazil. The tremendous research and analysis has produced a true groundbreaking work in beginning to understand this very sad chapter of history.

I learnt a great deal from this book, I had no idea of the extent of suffering Moslems and other slaves endured, I didn't know about the use of Arabic in US & rest of Americas as a way for enslaved Africans to communicate and even to keep plantation books. I had no idea of the suppression of Islam practiced as early as 1501 and the brutality of the Spanish Inquisition in the new World all they way through early 20th century. I was amazed to learn how in US the clearly well educated enslaved blacks were denied their Africaness by their masters and relabeled Arabs or Moors and in doing so the White Masters could continue to make sense of the inferior status of the black Africans.

At times Diouf may have been a touch too romantic about the behavior of Moslems and it times attributed culturally narrow definitions to Islamic traditions, this does not detract from the excellent contribution of this most enlightening work on a very rarely addressed subject.

The first review was just terrible and shows the bias and bigotted remarks about islam. The book is an excellent book that gives us a better picture of how Islam came to America from the African Muslims enslaved. I met the author at Cal Berkley when she did her presentation on this book. As for the comments about slavery in Islam. It is not the same thing as slavery done in America and in Europe. Titus Burckhartdt in his book Moorish Culture in Spain said "Slavery within Islamic culture is not be confused with Roman slavery or with the American variety of the nineteenth century; in Islam the slave was never a mere "thing." If his master treated him badly, he could appeal to a judge and procure his freedom. His dignity as a Muslim was inviolable. Originally, the status of slave was simply the outcome of having been taken a prisoner of war. A captive who could not buy his own freedom by means of ransom remained in the possession of the captor until he had earned his freedom by work or until he was granted liberty by his master." The first reviewer must also note that slavery in Quran is seen such a way. As for the Middle east countries he mentioned, countries dont represent Islam. Islam is judged by its sources not countries. Besides, Saudi Arabic is a monarchy, which isnt a form of Islamic governance. This book shows the truth about the African American connection to Islam. It did not start with the Nation of Islam or Malcolm X, it started way before that.

This book gives an overview of how Africans brought to the Americas as slaves were able to retain their faith and Islamic traditions so far away from their homelands and under oppressive, restrictive conditions. I found this book enlightening in many ways, and if you love or have an interest in history, it is a very good addition to one's library.

Nobody thought that Ernesto Che Guevara, born in an argentinian burgeois family could develop advanced ideas in the revolutionary palaestra. A latinamerican traveller, a dreamer. Later, the great revolutionary that made a whole story in the guerilla warfare which still many leftists all over the world. Bolivia was the begining of the leggend and in the daily we can found the meaning of phrases as "Forever until victory". Never surrender. A book that equals a summary of guerilla tactics and the deception of 60's latinamerican politics, a sadness that never ends.

Che went to Bolivia because he (and the Cuban leadership) thought that the situation was ripe for revolution. It tells the story of how he built a cadre of fighters with dedicated youth who wanted to fight until freedom or die. He wrote this diary in the mountains, fighting the Bolivian army as well as hunger and asthma. Despite everything, he was always focused on the goal, not his own pain or suffering. He was constantly evaluating their situation, politically and militarily, and determining the next move.

I first read Che's diary in the early 1970s because I wanted to learn more about him. At the time I thought it was interesting, but it didn't make much sense to me. This new edition is far superior to the Ramparts edition I read back then. The Pathfinder editors went to Cuba to collect photos and maps to make the diary come to life. This book includes accounts by surviving guerillas who fought with Che in Bolivia. There is a chronology and a glossary so you can understand who everyone was, where they came from, and what happened to them. If you want to read this famous book, make sure to read this edition!

If you read this book, THIS edition, you will begin to know the real Che-- who gave his life building an embryo of the kind of leadership required to rid the world of Yankee Imperial domination and military dictators.Bolivians,Argentines,Peruvians, and Cubans fought side by side, changing themselves as they fought, with food and water and ammo and BOOKS in their knapsacks.Studying indigenous languages, among other things--- with the full support of Fidel Castro and the Cuban government.

And they fought to take the heat off brutalized,heroic Vietnam, even just a little.They were defeated in combat, but victorious in the example they set : "the highest form of the human species" , yes they were.To defeat this monster in the USA, working people will have to emulate these men and women.Not in the mountains, but on strike picketlines, street demonstrations,studying together, as we fight the Imperial march towards Depression, fascism, and war. Excellent introduction points to struggles in Argentina,Bolivia,Chile, afterward :now it begins again...

As "The Ventriloquist's Tale" unfolds it explores the different relationships of the characters. The present day Rosa and Chofy's relationship appears to be drastically different than the relationship between brother and sister, Danny and Beatrice, however the underlying theme of passion is reflected in both. Infrequently in today's literary world does a story-teller capture a reader's attention and retain it through such an emotional roller coaster where it is difficult to tell right from wrong. Rarely also is an author able to approach topics and cultures which most people do not know about with such ease and create in the reader an ability to comprehend the emotions associated with the personal decisions. Pauline Melville's story does so as it enraptures the reader from the beginning chapter which is puzzling at first but pieces together the story in the end. The development and process of the tale allows for the reader to experience along with the characters and learn the price of risking the safe, responsible way of life for something more exciting that entices the soul and sparks new emotions.
All of the characters seek for a sense of belonging as is human nature. The forbidden relationships of polygamy, incest, and affairs is explored in a way that the reader is able to emphasis because of the common desire to belong with someone. Melville uses the need to have a place to be at ease in order to present these extremes to which people will go to achieve a haven. Social taboos become an answer for love because of the fear of monotamy and the loss of freedom. Perhaps this is what makes the reader not realize the decisions that the characters are making because the actual choices seem surreal, but the desire to escape the unchanging world where one does not fit in seems to be a bond. Melville creates this by her ease in the use of language and her treating the reader as an unbiased opinion. She thus leads the reader through the emotions as she presents how a person may rebel against the social norms in order to gain comfort. After finding the solace that they had been seeking, the characters all recognize that it will not remain and "lay in the darkness, dreading the dawn" (222). In the night it seems that everything is just, however in facing the dawn it is facing others judgements.
The matter-of fact style of language with thich Melville writes enables her to convey this universal need of companionship to the reader. It is this encompassing desire to be understood that allows the readers to find themselves relating to a world with which they would believe to have little to no connection to. The brutal honest that Melville uses to present the lives and complicated choices of the characters allows for the reader to almost be comfortable with the rash decisions they choose. Later on, however, the reader begins to feel the embarrasment and discomfort when the choices are brought to light. The reader becomes disturbed and insecure with the incidents especially when the characters try to ignore their decisions and only recall them alone. It becomes impossible to pass judgement upon any individual in the world of grays and so indviduals learn to live with the decisions.
The animal imagery is also used through out as a technique which brings questions to mind abnout if humans are the same as animals and if so what are the boundaries of human actions as well as who decides?
The novel is disturbing, yet beautiful. Enthralling, but upsetting and the combination creates a riviting expression of self-exploration. At points Melville can become so enwrapped that it is hard to understand the justification behind a character's motives, but overall she offers a fair perspective from all sides. A memorable novel that will present many wuestions about the decisions in life and what leads individuals to their own answers. An intriguing work which is worth the time as if offers a new world.

I had never heard of Pauline Melville before I read the book. The Ventriloquists Tale ranks as one of the most unusual and remarkable tales that I have ever read. Even though the events take place in a world far removed from modern, urban life the characters come alive. The love affair between two siblings is not intended to shock; rather, it captures the passion and sadness of young, innocent love. There are also other themes running through the book - of race,ethnicity, marriage, religion. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I eagerly look forward to her next novel.

The Ventriloquist's Tale opens and closes with addresses by a mysterious, third person ventriloquist/narrator, representing the old Amerindian culture of myth and magic of southern Guyana. This narrator indicates that he is not the hero of the book because, as he tells the reader, "Your heroes and heroines are slaves to time.... They've forgotten how to be playful and have no appetite for adventure."

As the narrator unfolds the stories of the McKinnon family, half Scottish and half Wapisiana, we see illustrated in their lives the conflicts (and occasional melding) of their ancient ways with western science, religion, and exploitation. The narrator and, one understands, the author come down strongly on the side of the ancients, as the Amerindian characters enchant, amuse, and play with us while they show us their struggle with European intruders, including, at one point, Evelyn Waugh in search of inspiration. We laugh with them, even as they face privation and hardship, and see with their eyes how ridiculously arrogant and ignorant the intruders are, because the intruders do not see that "everyday life...[is] an illusion behind which [lies] the unchanging reality of dream and myth."

Despite the repellent, incest subplot, we continue to like the characters, we are intrigued by the old beliefs that the eclipse of the sun by the moon is itself an incestuous act, and we understand how limiting it is to reduce eclipses and relationships solely to equations and to write research papers on the structural elements of myth. And we appreciate and rejoice in the brilliance of the Indians in "divining what you would like to hear and saying it, so you can never be really sure what we think....Ventriloquism at its zenith." A fascinating and unusual novel!

I agree with the previous review, what was Robert Day thinking? I've read this book twice, and I could only find one editorial mistake. Further, the book was so exciting and entertaining that I read it for the first time in one sitting. I could not believe this is Carlstein's first novel. I, for one, hope there are many more to come. Not only is the story amazing, but you truly feel for Andres during both his adventures and misadventures. I have never ridden a motorcycle, but I am now determined to buy one and take a trip of my own. I can only hope my riding partners are as entertaining as Robert and Peter.

This book has all of the essential elements of the perfect beach read; exotic locales, exciting adventure, hysterical calamity, and a little romance. Add in an adorably bumbling hero with a tendency to stick his foot in his mouth and two of the most quirky characters the internet could produce as riding companions, and you get quite an entertaining read. It's hard to believe that this is a true story - some of the things that happen along the way are just too bizzare and funny to be believed... but you know what they say about truth being stranger than fiction!
This book has a lot to offer the armchair adventurer too; lots of great descriptions of some pretty amazing locales, lots of historical facts and cultural information, and a few nasty run ins with border rip off artists and the ubiquitous greasy corrupt cops. Although I've never even gone near a motorcycle, this book made me want to run out and buy one to experience this myself! He offers a lot of insider information that would be very useful to those planning a similar trip.
Overall, I highly reccomend it!

This book is quite a joy to read. Once you start reading you can hardly put it down. The vivid and detailed descriptions of all the characters and places that they run into allow yourself to get totally immersed in the whole adventure. Knowing one of the companions (Peter) since I was a little kid and seeing how accurately Andres described him in all of his aspects, lent a lot of credibility to every account in the book. I also got the chance to hear about the entire adventure through Peter's perspective and its just like Andres wrote about it. I recommend this book to anyone with an adventurous spirit.