No comments about Imperfect Calm, Loneliness and the Voyage Home.

2 comments about The British Virgin Islands: The Hometown Lowdown Guide to Travel and Taste.

1. I understand that the new 2008 edition has pictures. I haven't seen it yet but I'm sure its really great. The 2007 edition didn't have them and it was a little dry because of that, but still good reading.



2. I found the travel tips and suggestions an excellent resource, and the emphasis on supporting local BVI businesses, restaurants, and farmers to be refreshing. Also, the new 2007 version has pictures! I look forward to more publishings!!

No comments about El Viejo Fotografo de Iglesias de Granada.

1 comments about Voodoo Fire in Haiti.

1. I figure it was Seabrook who began this fad of europeans going to Haiti and while looking around Haiti with racist eyes using terms like "primitive" etc but at the same time, trying to steal knowledge that europeans no absolutely nothing about..knowledge that the west isn't even ready for. Europeans say the things done in Haiti are impossible but there are dozens of destructive eurocentric pale people who traveled there (while maintaining their western mentality towards people of color, also known as relentless-racism) and run around chasing light-skinned Haitian women (like Wade davis and the rest) and learn less than 1% of what African spirituality really has to offer, then come back to amerikkka and write a book about their experiences with the "primitives"....Its funny because they all admit they went through things that are said to be impossible in the west....but yet they still call the Haitians and their ways "primitive". It disgusts me.
   After going through the mental trauma that the African's in Haiti went through, caused by european slavetrading monsters, they have what is called "Post-traumatic slavery symdrome". Thats the only reason they allow european blood-suckers to come to that island of freedom, or as Seabring called it, "the Magic Island", and exploit African knowledge. Haiti is the true "Land of the Free". Haiti did a statistically impossible deed, the only successful slavery uprise in the course of written history. Haiti defeated the french, spanish and english and kept that little island for themselves. Haiti has had many corrupt governments, due to the mulatto's affect on the government and many other reasons and while they are trying to get it back together some troublemaking good-for-nothing colorless nonpigmented melaninless pale people walk their bony little bodies onto the "Magic Island" and try to steal African secrets while the brothers there are going through hell due to european influence,western politics and inner turmoil started by outsiders. If the europeans didnt have the evil inside them to start the slave trade the Haitians would still be in Dahomey ruling their own Kingdom, they'd steal be in Sierra Leonne counting their diamonds that flow like rivers there, the Haitians would still be Benin contributing to the oldest religion on the face of the planet, if the Haitians werent illegally kidnapped they'd still be in the Congo which has more natural resources than nearly any other spot in the world. All the Haitians went through and moral-less europeans are still bothering those great people....damn shame....well at least Seabrook appeared to have got what he deserved for trying to exploit African secrets...Seabrook went crazy and died in his end...maybe because of something he saw...maybe because of something he said...who knows....but in my opinion, either way..he got exactly what he deserved.

No comments about Landscapes In Argentinian Photographic Postcards of the 20th Century.

4 comments about The Rough Guide to Cuba, 1st Edition (Rough Guides).

1. Anyone who's travelled anywhere on a budget is no doubt familiar with the Rough Guide series, the definitive answer to what's hot and what's not in your destination of choice. This book is no exception. With carefully researched short pieces on Cuban history, music and culture in general, they provide an insight into what makes the place the diverse experience it is. Minus points awarded for organisation in the chapter on Havana, and one restaurant highly recommended did not, on personal experience, measure up. In general though the book made getting around easier and gave a good introduction to the place and the people. Reviews are kept to the point and accomodation listings usefully gave an indication of price and facilities. Worth the asking price..



2. This guide runs a very close second to Christopher Baker's Cuba: Moon Travel Handbook. It is extremely informative and the basic information section is one of the best.

   The central part of the guide (accommodations, restaurants and sights) is one of the most accurate on the market (though McAuslan's comments are very terse). The maps were easy to use and above the average found in most other Cuban guides. This guide has one of the best bibliographies on Cuba found in a guide book today, but sadly lacks any mention of notable films that can be viewed to gain an appreciation of this country.

   On the downside, the index DID NOT list hotels or restaurants and this required that you flip through the section until you find the listing you wanted (especially a hassle in Havana). There were NO email or Internet addresses to speak of (especially useful for the hotels) even though the published date is 2000. That is disappointing considering that almost every hotel listed in this book is, and have been using cyberspace for the past few years.

   The strength of this guide, as with most Rough Guides, is its first hand knowledge that is geared for the budgeted adventure traveler. The selections that list accommodations and restaurants, included budget hostels and eateries that are often disregarded in other guides. A trademark to Rough Guides is the placement of the history, culture, people, etc. at the end of the guide instead of at the beginning.

   Over all this is a VERY GOOD, and informative guide, that I strongly recommend. Only slightly better is "Cuba" by Christopher Baker's (Moon Travel Guides, [see review]) and just a notch behind is "Cuba" by David Stanley (Lonely Planet [see review]). Regardless, you will not go wrong with any of these three guides. Recommended




3. The Rough Guide is extremley informative. It provides basic facts , contact information , and tips on travel to Cuba. I was surprised at the comprehensive information on all regions of Cuba , not just Havana. I'm going to test the book out this summer when I visit Havana , then I'll see if it deserves a higher rating.



4. I liked: size, weight, respectful attitude toward Cuban people & history.
   Had problems with: incomplete & outdated info. Check their website before you go.

No comments about U. S. Virgin Islands: Jewels of the Caribbean.

No comments about Cruising Guide to Trinidad & Tobago Venezuela & Bonaire.

3 comments about The Costa Rica Reader: History, Culture, Politics (The Latin America Readers).

1. By using variouus annotations on short stories the reader lives through many people which have helped create this nation. Events are told in first person that give realism to both their suffering and accomplishments. Interesting information about the United States influence/involement in the Central American zone and the indirect effect on Costa Ricans gives pause to think about current events.



2. I love sociology. This is a great reader presenting different points of view of a complex society. So you know a little about me to judge the (short) review...I've done immersion study in CR and am a master's level student in the us. US born. Also over 40.



3. Rarely does an anthology of original documents of historical value mingled with insightful interpretative essays come together as a coherent work. Steven Palmer and Iván Molina, against those odds, have put the ball in the back of the net with just such a book.
   
   THE COSTA RICA READER'S three-part subtitle (`History, Culture, Politics') is honored along the way with an even touch. Everyone with an interest in Costa Rica as more than a tourist destination with great beaches will find between the covers of this recent collection the stuff that builds insight and understanding. This reviewer lived for sixteen years in 'tiquicia', together with its four million 'ticos', 'nicas', and assorted hangers-on. The West Virginia-sized patch of mountainous land with its sought-after beaches (I rarely found time to visit them) continues to maintain its grip on my soul. I wish this 2004 Duke University Press publication had been available about 1988. It would have rendered easier learning the lessons of tiquicia that had to come the hard, honest way.
   
   No matter, it's here now. The editors guide us through a nuanced qualification of `Costa Rican exceptionalism', finding in the tico experience--whether lived by the indigenous groups who were not quite so few and compliant as the national mythology suggests in the face of conquest and marginalization or by the 19th century coffee lords with their debt to German mercantilism or the 1980s Nicaraguan refugee whose task it is to decide with which of her divergent constituencies to identify herself--deep continuities with the rest of Latin American experience as well as a dollop of the country's celebrated idiosyncrasies.
   
   The seventy-odd pieces are brief, illuminating, and usually excerpted from something larger. Individually and as a collection, they leave the reader wanting more.
   
   Which is not unlike Costa Rica itself in the experience of many sojourners there, many of whom will never go back but who at the same time never manage entirely to leave.
   
   Read by this reviewer on a recent working week back in the land it so effectively describes, THE COSTA RICA READER would be highly recommended at twice the price.

4 comments about AAA Essential Guide: Barbados, 3rd Edition (Aaa Essential Barbados).

1. Not the best maps- One large map would of been nice. Information on buses to take to locations inaccurate. Could of had more sights listed to see.



2. The book is published in England so its difficult to convert in my head from the metric system to the US system.
   The atlas is separated onto many pages, making it difficult to figure out what goes with what.
   Overall not a good choice if you need US measurements and if you need a good atlas.



3. The book was published in 2001 and republished in 2006 manking you think it was a new book. Amazon does not tell you this. I found it out after I bought the book. Basically to old to use.



4. the perfect tourguide handbook for Barbados. Almost everything mentioned in it was current, about 90%. Lots of great useful maps, spot on recommendations for tourist sites, restaurants, hotels, etc. Helped us get organized and get the most out of our 4 day trip to Barbados. Top 10 List was fun and helpful, too.