No comments about Cultural Dimensions of Expatriate Life In Chile.

1 comments about Magica Ruta 40/magic Road 40 (Coleccion Turismo).

1. If you're looking at this book then you probably already know that this legendary road along the western edge of Argentina runs from nearly the frontier with Bolivia to almost the Straits of Magellan. This book provides some excellent color photos of not only the road itself but some of the scenic locations not far from La 40, including the Patagonian glacier parks. Ruta 40 has already taken on the sort of mystique that many North Americans associated with US route 66. At times it is a nicely paved highway and in places days can go by without seeing a single vehicle. The captions are in both Spanish and English, and Mr Kirbus has been kind enough to answer a question I had about a specific situation in the northwestern part of the country - his email address was shown on the back cover. If you think you might want to take a trip to the places where Ruta 40 runs through the Argentine outback then this is the first book you should get ahold of.

No comments about Where The Locals Eat: Louisville (Where the Locals Eat).

4 comments about Aguirre: The Re-Creation of a Sixteenth-Century Journey Across South America.

1. MINTA POSITIONS HIS BOOK AS HALF-TRAVELOGUE, HALF-HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE VOYAGE OF DON LOPE DE AGUIRRE, THE BLOODTHIRSTY CONQUSTADOR BEST KNOWN THROUGH WERNER HERZOG'S ASTONISHING FILM. THE NARRATIVE WEAVES BACK AND FROTH FROM MINTA'S ACCOUNT OF HIS OWN TRAVELS THROUGH SOUTH AMERICA, SEEKING TO TRACE AGUIRRE'S DESPERATE JOURNEY UP THE AMAZON, AND A HISTORICAL RECREATION (MOSTLY FROM SECONDARY SOURCES) OF THAT JOURNEY ITSELF. THE COMBINATION BEGUILES. AGUIRRE, THE MAN, REMAINS MYSTERIOUS YET MYTHICALLY ENGAGING -- THE APOSTLE OF FREEDOM FOR THE NEW WORLD WHO DISAVOWED THE KING OF SPAIN AS HE SET HIS OWN FLAG IN UNCHARTED LANDS, YET A BLOODY KILLER, RUTHLESS BEYOND IMAGINATION. MINTA DOESN'T QUITE KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE SUBJECT OF HIS BOOK EXCEPT TO ADMIT, AS ANY GOOD HISTORIAN SHOULD, THAT THE REAL AGUIRRE LIES BEYOND DOCUMENTATION, THE DUST OF HISTORY. AT THE SAME TIME, HE TACITLY REFUSES TO MYTHOLOGIZE HIM, AS DOES HERZOG IN HIS FILM. THEE'S A HIPPIE-TRAVELOGUE FLAVOR TO MINTA'S OWN ACCOUNT WHICH RECALLS, IN MY VIEW UNFAVORABLY, "MUSIC IN EVERY ROOM" AND SIMILAR WANDEVOGELEN ACCOUNTS. AND THERE'S ALSO SOME HESITATION IN GRAPPLING DIRECTLY WITH A HISTORY WHICH CANNOT, BY NOW, BE FILTERED FROM LEGEN. AS IT IS, THE BOOK GAINS BY OVERTONES: WE PLAY MINTA GAINST THEHERZOG FILM, WE PLAY HIS OWN TRAVELS, AGAINST AGUIRRE'S, AND THERE IS - FOR ADDED IRONY -- THE LONG, SAD HISTORY OF LATIN AMERICA, A LAND WHERE SLAVES HAVE ALWAYS REMAINED SLAVES AND WHEERE BOLDNESS SUCH AS AGUIRRE'S WILL ALWAYS REMAIN THE STUFF OF LEGEND -- AND ALWAYS CONTINUE TO BEGUILE US.



2. A disapiontment.

   Promoted as a "bizarre" tale, full of "intrigue" and yadda yadda yadda, this is instead a rather dull story of a group of men trudging around, lost, in the jungle. Many of the "details" in the book are pure conjecture by the author.

   For once in my life I would have to advise renting the video rather than reading the book.




3. My first introduction to the story of Lope de Aguirre was with the Werner Herzog film "Aguirre - Wrath of God". This I found profound, yes, but also needlessly indulgent and slow. I knew there was more to the story. Then I read this book, and it made me wonder that even if this is "speculative history" (according to the jacket) based on fact (or chronicles - everyone has an agenda), then this is far more interesting than a few people drifting down a muddy river on a raft looking intense. Don't get me wrong - I love Herzog ("Nosferatu", "Heart of Glass", "Fitzcarraldo", et al), and I give him the benefit of the doubt that maybe the source material for this book wasn't available to him, and I can take a lot of meditative shots of trees passing slowly, but when I read that this book is criticised for not being as true as the film, then I say - Herzog clearly had nothing to go by but a raft, a river, and Klaus Kinski in armour. If you are at all interested in this tale (that is all we seem to have now), read this book. It is more informative than the more famous film, and thus more rewarding, unless you like prefer a couple of hours of languid brown water, slow trees, and really cragged faces looking intently at the continually renewed horizon.



4. As a travelogue the book is both insightful and engaging. As a history excellent; as it retraces the tragic and doomed journey of Pedro de Ursua and Lope de Aguirre through across the South American continent (1560). This book chronicles one of the most bizarre mutinies to rock 16th Century South America. He narrates the grandiose ambition and blinding pride that gripped Spanish Peru in the 16th century; not forgetting to lauds as well the "clever, ruthless and courageous" men and women that invaded and then settled South America.
   
   Stephen Minta, British, and a Senior Lecturer in Comparative Literature at the University of York, writes brilliantly about Peru in the late 1980's and early 1990's (Peru hasn't changed that much since). His writing is full if insights into human nature, and has the occasional biting satire, tongue-in-cheek humor and a candid and critical evaluation of an applaudable travelogue.
   
   This book is in the company of the best modern South America travelogues/history (IE White Rock by Hugh Thomson and Chasing Che by Patrick Symmes - see my reviews). For afficionados and students of South America (especially Peru) this book is a must read. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Footprint Colombia Handbook: The Travel Guide (Footprint Colombia Handbook).

1. I bought this book previous to my first vacation to Colombia to visit my wife's parents this year. This book is truly amazing because it explains the social and economic climate as well as providing detailed listings of destinations throughout the book, including small towns and remote destinations. Pollard's book does not ignore the fact that using common sense is important when visiting this beautiful country, but contrary to the US State Department warnings, he reminds us in his own words that this is indeed a wonderful country to visit and the people are as open and friendly as anywhere in the world. My friends and family who live in Colombia were truly impressed with the wealth of information presented in this book. The only criticism is that the book is now over three years old and some of the information regarding specific locales need updates. Overall, this may be the best travel book I have ever used.



2. I bought this book previous to my first vacation to Colombia to visit my wife's parents this year. This book is truly amazing because it explains the social and economic climate as well as providing detailed listings of destinations throughout the book, including small towns and remote destinations. Pollard's book does not ignore the fact that using common sense is important when visiting this beautiful country, but contrary to the US State Department warnings, he reminds us in his own words that this is indeed a wonderful country to visit and the people are as open and friendly as anywhere in the world. My friends and family who live in Colombia were truly impressed with the wealth of information presented in this book. The only criticism is that the book is now over three years old and some of the information regarding specific locales need updates. Overall, this may be the best travel book I have ever used.



3. I was in Colombia for three months and used this guide continually.

   Peter Pollock writes for a broad audience, but he excels in providing insightful caveats for the adventuresome and ecologically focused traveler. He has information on shipping motorcycles and automobiles to Columbia. He has an excellent section on health, and his 'Background' section is succinct and informative (History, Culture Etc.). He covers the normal tourist destinations and encourages exploration of places that 99% of visitors to Colombia would miss (Tayrona National Park, Ciudad Perdia, etc.).

   His accommodations and dining recommendations are adequate, generally accurate, reliable but are becoming outdated. Luckily, although this guide has been out for three years, the prices for lodging in Colombia have stayed relatively stable and accurate and eight out of the ten hotels I selected to visit in Bogota were still open.

   AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT: A serious omission for this 2000 guide is the absence of hotel web pages and hotel email addresses. Electronic addresses have become a "must have" for any competitive guide book. A good hotel web page allows you to view the property, get current rates (and specials), view the
   property and rooms and make an on-line reservations. This is a must for the next edition.

   Good maps are essential in a guide. Bogota, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Cali and Medellin are sprawling cities that desperately need good maps. Bogota has four maps, but they are upside down! Normally maps are oriented with North at the top of the page, not so here, North is at the bottom and South at the top. I had a hell-of-a-time orienting myself, until I got my compass out and discovered this wacko lay out.

   Also confusing are references to map numbers that don't exist. Pollard mentions a number, IE in the Bogota section, 'Hacienda Santa Barbra #3 on the map', but the publisher did not print the numbers on the map. His recommended sleeping locations are noted on the maps, but not restaurants. Needless to say, this is an important area that needs significant improvement.

   The above shortcomings notwithstanding, you will not want to go to Colombia without this guide. I strongly Recommend it.




4. I was in Colombia in 2000 and will go back next year. I checked on the places I know and really liked the stile and information provided. I liked the positive outlook, it warns of dangers but also makes you feel comfortable of going. I liked that. The book is compact, well organised and includes lot of unlikely and not too obvious places. It also hast lots of tips and adresses for nature travel, trecking, rafting etc.



5. This is a valuable book. "Footprint Colombia Handbook: The Travel Guide," highlights Colombia's many wonderful assets. It also warns of its potential pitfalls.

   In regard to travel...this book covers all the bases. Colombia is an immense nation with outstanding hotels, magnificiant places to eat and wonderful people. Moreover, its parks and natural beauties can hardly be matched anywhere else in the world.

   However, one must not ignore the subtle warnings in this text. Colombia must be approached with open eyes. It can be a wonderful experience and this book allows one to take a bite of the best the nation has to offer.

No comments about Effingham County (GA) (Images of America).

No comments about State Parks of the South: America's Historic Paradise : A Guide to Camping, Fishing, Hiking, & Sightseeing.

2 comments about Antisuyo: The Search for the Lost Cities of the Amazon.

1. This has a lot of pictures so it is not very detailed about South American exploration. Nevertheless, it is very interesting and a good book for any backpackers in Peru to have. He gives a good feel for what an expedition is like and the preparatory drudgery that is involved. He covers no less than seven different expeditions. Some are covered in two sentences because he only discovered that nothing was in the explored area. But when he discovers the lost cities, you want to start exploring yourself and, because of the pictures, you feel that you are there. In general, the more you know about Peruvian exploration, the more interesting you will find this book. If you don't know anything about Peruvian archaeology and exploration, this is a good place to start.



2. I grew up dreaming of discovering lost cities. I was somewhat able to live out this dream by reading Antisuyo. It is a great account of the hardships and rewards that come as being an explorer and an adventurer. Antisuyo is hard to find, but if you can find it, buy it.

No comments about The Definitive Journals of Lewis and Clark, Vol 4: From Fort Mandan to Three Forks (The Nebraska Edition, Vol 4).

No comments about The Definitive Journals of Lewis & Clark, Vol. 5: Through the Rockies to the Cascades.