1 comments about Oklahoma: A Portrait of America.

1. This book embodies the uniqueness of Oklahoma through colorful, emotional photos from across the state. From the Blue Whale in Catoosa to the Red Barn along old 66 in Arcadia to poignant cemetary photos, a one-of-a-kind book like no other. An excellent buy. I can't say enough great things about it.

No comments about Peru (Ulysses Travel Guide Peru).

No comments about Adventures in Remote Parts of the Upper Amazon River, Including a Sojourn Among Cannibal Indians.

2 comments about A Visit to the Ranquel Indians.

1. A visit to the ranquel indians(Una excursion a los indios ranqueles)is the most famous novel of the argentine "dandy" writer Lucio Mansilla.
   Nephew of the ex dictator Rosas, Mansilla grew up as any other nobleman at his age. He used to be haughty, scorn the culture of the aboriginal as "barbarism" and" uncouth".
   But his opinion changed completely after visiting the ranquel indians during a mission send by the federal government.His original motive was oblige the indians to concede the territory for the construcion of railroad, but while he lived along side the indians, he realized that the problems the indians have were mostly because of their povertry, and they are neither uncouth, imbecil and bellicose as the government described.
   The indians were really brave, smart and loyal to the friendship.
   Mansilla felt that himself was also converted to a inseparable part of the indian community. At the same time, he also know clearly that his mission was to destroy the indian's hacienda.
   The today he complete his mission must also be the final of the peaceful life of these ingenuous poor people.
   It was really a painful option for Mr Mansilla...



2. 
   Just to put the prior review in context, this is a very worthwhile work of nonfiction -- specifically, socio-econo-politico-anthropological reportage. Apparently the reviewer meant "book" rather than "novel"....

No comments about The Romance of the Colorado River.

No comments about As Others See Chicago: Impressions of Visitors, 1673-1933.

3 comments about The Cities of the Ancient Andes.

1. The author of this book knows so much, it seems, he can't get it all into his book.

   Without having a firm foundation in early Andean culture, I found this book challenging to digest. It moves through historical terminology at a mind-warping rate. On the other hand, after "stepping back" to read more basic books on the same subject, I realize I've gotten a strong platform of knowledge from Von Hagen. I recommend you read this book only if you plan to read others on the topic, too.




2. The authors provide a stimulating introduction to urbanism in the Precolumbian Andes. The only problem with this book was that it left me wanting more. Since the book covers the entire history of the Ancient Andes, it cannot devote much space to any specific city or civilization. Nevertheless, there is still more than enough to enthrall. At the start of each chapter on a civilization, there is always a short description of what life would have been like for some inhabitants of a city of that civilization. This provides some extra colour to the book though some technical readers might not appreciate it. My favourite portion was on Tiwanaku, the largest city of the altiplano around Lake Titicaca. The pictures and maps were excellent and greatly enhanced to the book.



3. Von Hagen first explains the definition of a city. Then in chronological order she starts telling about the pre-cities (monumental architecture) in Peru and the first cities. All is accompanied by beautiful photos and helpful maps. The stories of the cities are preceded with a tale "once upon a time" though in a very realistic manner. Next the city is explained When you visit Peru, and walk through the cities, this book will help you imagine how real life was in precolumbian times.

No comments about The Deep South: Smithsonian Guides (Smithsonian Guides to Historic America).

No comments about Miami (America Series).

2 comments about South America Map by ITMB (Travel Reference Map).

1. I love this map. Huge and very detailed but I bought it as a wall map and it just didn't occur to me (silly I know) that it was double sided until I got it. So I'm only showing the top half of South America on my wall. :)



2. Awesome map. Only wish was that it was one full page but it's pretty awesome still.