2 comments about The Journey and Ordeal of Cabeza de Vaca: His Account of the Disastrous First European Exploration of the American Southwest.

1. This report of the 1528 to 1536 "journey" of Cabeza de Vaca is in his own words and that is really what makes this book so interesting, even to this day. The expedition was doomed by greed and stupid decisions from the start and then we follow the story of de Vaca as he survives for 8 years without even the clothes on his back as he travels 6000 miles through unknown geography before returning to "civilization". And although this story itself is interesting enough, it is to my mind most fascinating because it is a first hand account from that time. You can read about his changing attitudes towards the "Indians" who help him survive, yet enslave him. Ironically there is a slave among his small band of survivors. His attitude towards the Indians changes with time and when he is found by a group of Spanish Conquistadors he is digusted by how these treat the Indians that helped him. Yet de Vaca never seems to really consider that these savages are really as human as "Christians". He's constantly referring to himself and other members of his group as "Christians" although religious distinctions are hardly what he's referring to by this.
   
   It is not just an interesting adventure story, it is also a look inside the mind of that age - something to make you wonder how 500 years from now others will read our memoirs and marvel at our superstitions and misinformed judgements.
   
   The translation is easy to read and contains enough parenthetical additions that allow you to easily follow the journey on the modern map that is included.
   
   Enjoy a "real" story for a change.



2. Item being reviewed
   
   
   The Journey and Ordeal of Cabeza de Vaca: His Account of the Disastrous First European Exploration of the American Southwest
   
   Good, fast service! Book exactly as stated by seller. Thank you.

No comments about North Carolina (America Series - Mini).

2 comments about unseen Colombia.

1. Living in Colombia for a year I found this book to show areas of Colombia I have seen and then some. It is one if not the most beautiful country in the world. Colombia has a bad rep, don't let the American press fool you, look at this book and let it be the start of your search for the real Colombia, one of passions, diversity and paridise. The stories go well with the pictures to paint a picture that can draw one in.



2. Colombia's beauty is exposed at its most: mountains, rivers, deserts, forests... its varied ecosystems -- from the rich tropical rainforest to the coastal cloud forests to the open savannas.

1 comments about Classic New Orleans (Golden Coast Books).

1. This book does such a good job at capturing St. Charles, I am familiar with the area and this book presents the real beauty of the mansions of the Ave. The photographs are outstanding and the images are richly presented. The photos are so vivid. My only qualm is that there are not more pictures of the exterior of the houses, that would have made it a five star book. If you enjoy books beautifully presenting gilded age grandure then you should consider adding this to your collection.

4 comments about Guatemala : Adventures in Nature.

1. The investigation of Richard Mahler in Guatemala is above excellent, and I really love all the details of adventure in it. I recommend this book to every tourist and local people, is amazing all the beauty that we have down here. Is very complete, including hotels, restaurants, what to see, what to do in each part of the country. A list of volcanoes, rivers, caves and recommendations of fishing, cycling, kayaking, etc etc. with a list of tourist operators on each issue. Great book!



2. This book is based on an earlier book by Mr. Mahler, which I used frequently during my 1994-97 posting to Guatemala. I had several guide books, but found that Mr. Mahler's was the one I turned to most frequently. I eventually got to many of the places mentioned in his book, and found that the information he had provided was accurate and useful. I spoke with Mr. Mahler just before leaving Guatemala, and am delighted that he included some of my suggestions in this book, including Los Viejitos Restaurant in Nebaj (look for the green door)--the owner told me she used to cook for Nancy Sinatra!



3. As the author of this book, I am predictably biased in its favor. However, I feel it's important to say that I spent several months in late 1998 and early 1999 poring over every word, photo, and map to make sure that it was correct, helpful, and informative. Readers will find everything from restaurant and hotel reviews to reports on Spanish schools, craft markets, and Maya ruins. I find Guatemala a fascinating and rewarding country to visit and it remains one of the world's greatest travel bargains. However, since the Peace Accords were signed in 1996 and the guerrilla war ended, more and more people are discovering this place. Therefore, prices will only go up. I'm convinced that there is no better time to see the unspoiled treasures of Guatemala than right now, before the crowds descend. My specialties are the contemporary and ancient cultures of the Maya as well as the national parks of the country. In the latest edition of my book, I've gone to great lengths to include every possible useful tidbit of information on these subjects, from the best place to explore the rainforest to the best way to tour Tikal. As always, I am eager to receive reports from readers, who supply me with some of the best insider information available. Enjoy!



4. (From Planeta.com Journal) - Reading Richard Mahler is like opening a letter from a well-traveled friend. This is the second edition of a regional classic. Its coverage of environmental issues and travel options is first-rate. This is a must read for any eco traveler.

2 comments about Charles Darwin Slept Here.

1. We all want to go and a lucky few have been. Most books on the Galapagos are either about Darwin's famous finches or about the beautiful flora and fauna. Not this time. This Galapagos historian writes of the "human history" of the islands. This incredible book reads like the most captivating novel. Out of its pages spill pirates, a famous writer, a baroness and her lovers, miscellaneous adventurers, mysterious travelers and so much more. If you have even a passing interest in these enchanted islands, this book will leave you wanting more.



2. Most books about the Galapagos Islands are concerned with their natural history but relatively few fully discuss the human history of the islands. This book belongs to the latter catagory and presents an in depth review of how people have interacted with the islands. It is rich with detailed activities of various rogues, knaves, hermits, whalers, tyrants, murderers, and misguided settlers who attempted to establish colonies on these islands.
   
   The Galapagos archipelago was discovered in 1535 during the voyage of the Bishop of Panama, Fray Tomas de Berlanga who was on his way to investigate the activities of conquistadors in Peru. His ship was becalmed and drifted westward due to the ocean currents. On March 10th,1535 an island was sighted and a party went ashore in search of fresh water. Although he did not name the island he described the fauna in a letter to the King of Spain. Known variously as Las Enchantadas, the Archapelago de Ecuador and the Archepalago de Colon, they first appeared on a map as the Galapagos in 1570. The archipelago was claimed by Ecuador in 1832 and the first colony, which consisted of convicts and political prisoners, was established on the island of Floreana.
   
   The most famous visit to the Galapagos was Charles Darwin's during the voyage of HMS Beagle in 1835 which is thoroughly covered in this book. The effects of his monumental conclusions following a five week study of the islands are presented in detail.
   
   The islands of the archipelago are arid with the exception of Froreana where fresh water is available. The history of this island is particularly interesting. The book includes information about the whaler's post office barrel, a slave rebellion, the bizarre activities of an Irish hermit, and the mysterious disappearance of the Baroness vo Wagner de Bosquet. In addition, the activities of a variety of other visitors are described. I was fascinated to learn of the efforts of several groups of Norwegians to establish permanent settlements. In spite of their Teutonic stubornness all such activities failed.
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the history of the Galapagos.

No comments about Devotedly Dixie: Travel Journals of Two Helens.

3 comments about Peru and Bolivia, 8th: The Bradt Trekking Guide.

1. Although writing the perfect trekking guide is an almost impossible excerise, there is certainly room for improvement in Bradt's latest offering. Whilst generic lonely planet guide blueprint is limited, the layout employed here is quite confusing and random, with maps, route descriptions, silly anecdotes, natural history, local culture and general travel advice thrown in together in a very messy fashion which limits the usefulness of the book as a reference material. The content itself is extremely bloated with superfluous info and suffers from inconsistent writing - at times it feels more like a disparate collection of internet postings than a trekking guide. Whilst is great to see the alternate and no less spectacular routes getting a mention, some serious thought needs to be given to the editing process - it is a difficult task to write a concise and informative guide, but this is what is necessary to stand out from the dross.



2. We love the Bradt guides, because they're "personal", innovative, well-written and in-depth. If you like to explore the non-obvious, to get off the beaten track (without necessarily missing out on the highlights), this is the guide you're looking for!!



3. This book provided the information I needed and was more thorough than the new Lonely Planet equivalent, Trekking the Andes. I bought both and I'll take the Bradt guide to the Andes.

2 comments about Walking the Jungle: An Adventurer's Guide to the Amazon.

1. Walking The Jungle: An Adventurer's Guide To The Amazon by Brazilian novelist, teacher, and travel expert John Coningham is a practical, safety-conscious, and absolute "must-read" packed from cover to cover with vital information for anyone vacationing, visiting, or exploring the Amazon River country. Walking The Jungle: An Adventurer's Guide To The Amazon covers all of the necessary precautions to prevent and cope with a vast array of diseases, snakebite, food-borne illnesses, dangerous wildlife, and other indigenous hazards of the Amazon. A superb 250-page resource based upon the hard earned wisdom of personal experience, Walking The Jungle is an essential accompaniment for anyone planning on experiencing what the Amazon river has to offer the adventurous traveler!



2. A wonderful guide full of practical hints for travel in the Amazon, the Pantanal and the Neotropics in general. John Coningham is an experienced guide, wonderful naturalist, ex-soldier, firearms expert, horseman, boatman, etc., etc. and this book is the next best thing to going to the Pantanal and talking to him, While he has a wonderful knowledge of the flora and fauna of Brazil, this book is neither your typical natural history guide nor armchair adventure tale. Instead it tells you all of the things that you wished you knew before you
   left and will answer many questions that you have upon return. It is really designed to accompany someone on a trip into the less-travelled areas of Brazil but will be fascinating to anyone interested in travel, the wilderness or natural history.
   Highly recommended.

No comments about History of a Voyage to the Land of Brazil (Latin American Literature and Culture, Vol 6).