No comments about Lonely Planet Chile Y La Isla De Pascua (Spanish Guides).

3 comments about The Brazilian Photographs of Genevieve Naylor, 1940-1942.

1. Genevieve Naylor was a PSA photographer hired by Nelson Rockefeller to travel through Brazil and document how American's wartime allies lives and worked. Her large format, beautifully printed photos reveal the texture of life in a proud and vibrant country. The author of this book provides clear and highly insightful analysis of the historical context in which to understand and appreciate Naylor's genius.



2. The photographer, Genevieve Naylor, went to Brazil after working for the Associated Press and the Roosevelt administration's photographic corps. She brought to her assignment a wonderful eye for composition and an affection for the simple aspects of Brazilian life. This is a compelling book that is beautifully printed and handsomely presented. The author does an excellent job of setting the scene, too.



3. This is a beautifully-produced books with haunting photogrpahs of a Brazil that has largely vanished. The focus is on people, and the photographer captures their humanity. Excellent analysis and history too.

No comments about Laminated South Central-USA4 Map by Borch.

5 comments about Culture Shock!: Bolivia (Culture Shock - Guides).

1. This book is a boring but good book that gives enough details to write reports for young students and it is a greaat way to learn more about a South American Country



2. This book is packed with all kinds of information on Bolivia as a country and as a culture. It reads like a novel, as opposed to most fact-filled books. I sat down with this book knowing very little about Bolivia; Now I feel like I've been there. I look forward to seeing the pages come to life this summer as I venture into this amazing country. This is a MUST read for those wanting to know about Bolivia and its people.



3. When I learned I would be moving to La Paz for a year, I searched for a book that would provide more insight on the cultural and daily realities of life in Bolivia than guidebooks usually provide. This was just the right book. While it provides information that is very useful for soon-to-be residents (how to navigate the black markets to get household necessities; the fact that it costs $1500 for a phone number, so rent an apartment that already has one!), I think it is also a great supplement to the guidebooks for any traveller who will be spending a decent amount of time in Bolivia and wants to understand more about the country than just the history and the sights. The author describes typical economic and social lives of Bolivians, outlines current social and political issues, gives cultural tips on interacting with Bolivians, and provides qualitative, highlights-type descriptions of some of the sights in La Paz and Bolivia. It is very readable and entertaining, so it makes a good introductory, overview book. A good guidebook may have lots of the same information somewhere in there, but it has a "thoroughness" job to do, making it less fun and easy to read. (The Lonely Planet Guide to Bolivia is excellent, though.) If the other Culture Shock series books are as good, I will read them before travelling to other S. American countries.



4. Cramer provides excellent information for anyone traveling to Bolivia who wishes to make his visit more than a postcard stop. From festivals to daily activities, he guides the reader over the true Bolivian landscape (real and psychological). His tips are straight forward and will address most questions or concerns the reader might have. My only complaint is his need to be so PC. Every culture has wonderful and less wonderful things. I think it shows true respect for a culture to be able to proudly display its strengths and honestly discuss what 'stinks.' Arrogance in the Bolivian professional world that forces the 'unconnected' to be treated dismissively is not just an opportunity for the disenfranchised to learn patience. It is a flaw in that culture...just as it is in any culture where it occurs (there, I've said it and the PC God didn't strike me dead!) Having said that, I must admit that Cramer does not sugar coat everything. Also, my complaint is a minor one in light of everything that he does well.



5. Some have said that Bolivia is timeless; a land that refuses to change. Maybe, BUT a guide that exists to expound on the Bolivian culture should not be timeless -- it needs to be current. This guide is not current.

   Mark Cramer initially wrote this book pre-1996, and though the title page states the text was "revisited in 2001" I found nothing in the book that included the last five years of Bolivia's revolts and reformations. Bolivia is a country with serious upheavals (economic and political) and it has an engaging and often revolutionary political system. My visit this year to Bolivia showed me that the country and people do change, and they have. This book should have illustrated this fact.

   My criticism does not mean that the book is without `some' significance. Cramer's first 100 pages are somewhat engaging and informative. His writing is at its best in the chapter that deals with "Social and Business Customs". Sadly, half of that chapter is used to list the various festivals in Bolivia, without adequately telling you the "why" each festival exists, i.e. "San Rafael" (24 Oct.) "A four day festival in Santa Fe with folk dancing and more drinking." The last 150 pages are superfluous. Instead of guiding you deeper into the customs, culture and etiquette (the normal focus of `Culture Shock!' guides) Cramer takes a hike... literally. He attempts to turn the book into a travel guide, and not a good one at that.

   The strength of other `Culture Shock! Guides' is that they give you a depth of understanding of the people and their ethos, how the history of the country has created customs and culture. Regarding this `Culture Shock! Guide' you should save your money and wait until the guide is not just `revisited', but rewritten. Conditionally recommended 2.5 stars.

2 comments about "Civilizing" Rio: Reform and Resistance in a Brazilian City, 1889-1930.

1. This a major addition to the social history of urban life in Brazil, and Latin America generally. By shifting the emphasis from workplace struggles to conflict over urban space, Meade allows us to rethink dramatic and sometimes puzzling episodes of popular protest in turn-of-the-century Rio de Janeiro (such as the revolt against compulsory smallpox vaccination). Her argument that these protests should be seen as part of the contest over capitalist modernization, and are no less "modern" than workplace struggles in nearby Sao Paulo, adds to the ongoing discussion of political consciousness as forming in struggles both within and beyond the point of production. Meade also explores the implications of "urban beautification" for the popular classes in a way that connects processes in Rio with broader global tendencies during the Age of Imperialism. Finally, the book is highly readable and accessible to the non-specialist, and can be used in courses ranging from introductory undergraduate surveys to graduate seminars.



2. This book provides both a useful overview of urban social history in turn-of-the-century Rio de Janeiro and a unique and convincing analysis of how poor urban and suburban residents responded to urban renewal projects. The author places her analysis in an engaging, accessible, and accurate narrative of the city's broader history, weaving together the findings of a broad array of specialized secondary works. Her own primary research on popular protests provides a crucial part of this history, and her conclusions are suggestive of how popular movements might be understood elsewhere as well. The book shows that the effects of undemocratic urban administration can be disasterous for the least powerful sectors of the population. Yet is also shows that the urban poor were by no means "marginalized," nor did they decline to participate in orderly, legal forms of protest. Riots and violence exploded in Rio only after poor residents had tolerated arbitrary and violent government implementation of urban policies, and after they had found other avenues of appeal to government officials closed. This book is effective in undergraduate and graduate courses alike. In addition to providing an excellent overview of Rio's early twentieth-century history, the book stimulates students to think critically about urbanization, class conflict, forms of protest, and the peculiar concerns of non-industrial nations to create images of order and civilization in the early twentieth century.

2 comments about Travel Companion Argentina (Travel Companion Guide).

1. This has to be the most comprehensive guide to Argentina ever written. It's over 1,000 pages, covering the country from top to toe. Over 2,500 locations are profiled - mountains, rivers, preserves, villages, historic sites, cities. What to see and do, where to stay and eat and when to visit. From each main center, you are offered a selection of excursions. Includes thousands of e-mail addresses and useful websites. 24 color maps detail every section of the country. There are also well over 100 street plans for every town of any significance in the country.



2. From the author, Gerry Leitner: Argentina! The name conjures up visions of the pampas, gauchos and tango.

   But Argentina has much more to offer: Argentina is home of the highest mountain in South America, it shares with Brazil the mighty Iguazu falls and in the far south it has some awe-inspiring glaciers. But did you know that the north-western part formed once part of the great Inca Empire? In fact one of the main Inca trails coming down from Bolivia traverses the north western altiplano region of Argentina

   linking many pre-columbian settlements right down to the Province of Mendoza. Many of which are still waiting for the arrival of the archeologist. Add to this the many national parks, beaches and backed up with a very modern infrastructure and you have got the makings of a wonderful travel destination.

   This book was written with the intent to give the reader - whether backpacker or discerning five-star traveler - the most complete view of this fascinating tourist destination. "Travel Companion Argentina" was not tied to an accountant's budget: no effort was spared to bring to my readers the best available information. I have covered at least 90% of all places where either there is something of tourist interest or there are tourist facilities. I can safely say that my bus information tables are the most complete: listed are services to even small, distant places: if there is a bus, frequency, fares, and traveling time are indicated. Back ground information includes history, economy of provinces and towns, notes on local dishes and type of food served in restaurants. Fishing, skiing, white water rafting, mountaineering, bird watching and how to contact specialist tour operators by phone, fax or even e-mail, all are covered in this book. The book weighs 12oz; hardly excessive for the amount of information it contains.

   So become an "armchair traveler" first reading what my book has to say about this wonderful travel destination and then if you feel that this is what you want to see personally, proceed to make your travel plan. Yes, with my "Travel Companion Argentina" you can make an almost perfect travel plan taking into consideration your time available - and of course the money you wish to spend. And don't forget to take this travel guide with you in case you want to change some travel plans on the spot.

   I hasten to add that Argentina with its climate ranging from the tropics to subantarctic is a travel destination all year round.

4 comments about The Voyage of the Vizcaina: The Mystery of Christopher Columbus's Last Ship.

1. This is a truly exciting read. Although the title and subtitle both suggest that the book is mainly about the Vizcaina, in fact, only about 20% of it contains discussions that directly pertain to that ship; most of these discussions deal with efforts towards determining whether the wreck that was found in the Bay of Playa Damas (Panama) is indeed the Vizcaina. Naturally, when something of such historical importance is found, some form of politics must step in to play its important frustrating role of slowing down, with utmost efficiency, any exciting archaeological progress; this case is no exception. However, the main bulk of the book is about Christopher Columbus: his life, his travels and his adventures. Also presented are fascinating outlines of current disputes as to his true origins as well as where his bones are currently located. Published in 2006, this is an English translation of a book that was originally published in German in 2004. Although the original German title seems to be more appropriate than the current English one, the translation is well done in the sense that the writing is so clear and engaging that the book is very difficult to put down. It will likely be indispensable reading for most history buffs, but it can be enjoyed by anyone.



2. In the mid-1990s, divers discovered the wreck of a large ship just off the coast of Panama, feeding the rumors that this might be the remains of one of the ships from Columbus's final voyage. Columbus was able to persuade Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castille to give him a fleet of four ships in 1502 to return to the New World in search of more riches. Although he reached the Americas, his ships, all victims of shipworms eating through the hulls' wood, began to sink one by one. Columbus reported abandoning the fourth ship, the Vizcaina near Portobelo.
   
   It was said that this ship has three masts and a loading capacity of fifty tons. But when divers went searching, they couldn't immediately determine that the abandoned ship off the bay in Playa Damas was the Vizcaina because of the contents of the ship and the relative integrity of the ships structure.
   
   The authors combine Columbus's history, and the discovery of the ship buried beneath the ocean for decades. Divers and archeology experts are quoted throughout the book, which makes it a bit of a hybrid historical read. The past and present converge by finding the Vizcaina. Yet, it's a true adventure whether you like history or archeology. The history of the man who founded the New World is fascinating as he was a true adventurer.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: Thrilling historical, yet scientific reading that leaves you satiated with a host of historical facts and awe about modern archeology.



3. This book is not the easiest read. That said, it contains amazing detail about Columbus and his several voyages to the new world. I felt the book delivered a good feel for the man and for the times. A tremendous amount of research has been done on Columbus over the centuries and this book seems to touch on the major findings and integrates them well into the overall story. I was amazed at the amount of information to be had and how little I actually knew about Columbus and the history surrounding his discovery of the new world.



4. What really happened to the last voyage of Christopher Columbus? This is a great story of history, politics and exploration.

No comments about Argentina para Todo el Mundo.

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

No comments about The First Voyage Around the World: The Story of Ferdinand Magellan's Three-Year Journey Through South America and the Pacific Ocean (Exploration & Discovery).