Caribbean Books

This book is a wonderful resource geared towards American South and Caribbean foods. It includes an extensive exchange list for these foods so people will know how they fit in their overall diet. The book also includes helpful information on how to control diabetes.

I found "Eating Soulfully and Healthfully with Diabetes" a wonderful resource with clear-cut guidelines to follow for African Americans and other people with type 2 diabetes. Constance Brown-Riggs made each chapter build on the last, answering many common questions. As a registered dietitian, I highly recommend this book--a first step in understanding the important dietary and lifestyle factors and learning practical and useful diet and food information.

As a registered dietitian, I am always on the lookout for practical, user-friendly books to recommend to friends, clients, and the lay public. Here, Constance Brown-Riggs has come up with a winner. This book is a comprehensive resource for those who are plagued by or at high risk for diabetes. Addressing the particular needs and preferences of African Americans, the author provides instruction and education without being preachy for those who wish to take charge of their lives and fight diabetes with diet. She makes following a healthful, disease-fighting diet for life easy. The exchange lists are particularly helpful. Highly recommended!

Esta es una ventana al mundo ilegal en que el aparato secreto del comunismo Cubano opera, narrado por un argentino con lazos en las altas ramas de este aparato secreto que opera fuera y dentro de la isla.

Un aparato que justifica, estimula y apoya actos criminales cometidos alrededor del mundo para recaudar fondos, estos actos criminales son cometidos generalmente por y para el beneficio de dos grupos, el primero es cometido por miembros del propio gobierno comunista Cubano y se extienden desde el trafico de marfil proveniente de tierras africanas hasta el trafico de narcóticos, el cual es justificado como una forma de burlar del bloqueo Estado Unidense y un arma para crear conflictos sociales dentro de suelo norteamericano. El segundo grupo esta constituido por Latino Americanos simpatizantes del gobierno comunista Cubano, los cuales cometen actos criminales que van desde robo bancarios hasta el secuestro para financiar la lucha armada, lo cual esta estimulado y apoyado, económica y logísticamente por el gobierno comunista Cubano en su afán de exportar y duplicar el modelo Cubano a través del continente Latino Americano.

Un libro interesante de lectura facil y amena. Lo recomiendo para quien quiera saber un poco sobre las cosas ocultas que ha hecho el gobierno de Fidel Castro.

En este libro, Jorge Masetti expone su camino de vida en Cuba. Críado como "hijo de la Revolución", de hecho trabajando para los servicios secretos de Castro desde muy bien dentro del sistema, pasó a través de esos caminos de dudas ideológicas (además de situaciones de dramas prácticos) que muchos cubanos enfrentan. Y luego vino su desilusión, que lo llevó a emigrar a Francia y pasar su vida en el exilio, en la disidencia, entre Europa y el "centro de la contra-revolución" de Miami. Este libro es la historia de un cubano, y es una historia de espionaje. Y sobre eso hay que decir dos cosas. Primero, muchos cubanos han contado o pueden contar historias verdaderamente escalofriantes sobre su vida en Cuba, pero muy pocos de ellos pueden contar lo que vivió Jorge Masetti, y que nos cuenta en este libro. Segundamente, en el mundo pueden haberse publicado muchas novelas de espionaje, pero pocas son historias reales - esta, de hecho, es una historia muy muy real, que tiene lugar en la Cuba de hoy, a noventa millas de la Florida. Con suma maestría y excelente prosa, con un estilo muy fluido, fácil de leer pero sin embargo denso y rico, el autor fascina los lectores - los más informados sobre Cuba, como los que no sepan nada del tema. Sus cuentos parecen a la vez haber salido de una gran novela o pelicula de espionaje de los tiempos de la Guerra Fría. Pero esta no es ninguna novela, sino la pura realidad. Y digamos enfín: aunque haya quién pueda no creer todo lo que cuenta el autor, eso no disminuye la magnificencia de esta obra. Quiera Usted leer cosas fascinantes sobre el país de la tiranía castrista, o quiera Usted una "novela real" de espionaje, este libro no los desilusionará.

Yo lei este libro como parte del curriculum de una estudiante de primaria en mi querida Guatemala en los anos 70's. En ese entonces no me identifique tanto con las atrocidades que ese libro discute por mi corta edad y la inocencia de una infancia que deseo que mis hijos tengan. Ahora tengo deseos de leer esta obra maestra de nuevo, en Ingles, para darme cuenta si la magica forma de escribir de Miguel Angel Asturias se pierde en la traduccion.

este libro es una obra maestra de la literatura, es lirico, por la forma de expresion de sus personajes, es coloquial en sus expresiones, es de alcance enorme en su tematica. un dictador que tiene control absoluto sobre todo y todos y utiliza el mejor servicio de inteligencia del mundo:el miedo de las personas que las hace delatar hasta lo mas minimo de sus vecinos, amigos o familiares.. es tambien una historia de amor, de un amor especial, lirico onirico frustrante, que termina mal. es tambien la historia de un general cobarde que huye de la muerte dejando a su hija, solo para darse cuenta de que ha estado muerto todos estos anos al estar al servicio de quienes explotan al pueblo. es la historia de una madre que ve morir a su hijo en sus brazos y no puede hacer nada, solamente perder la razon, pues cuando la cordura es tan irreal solo la sinrazon nos queda como alternativa viable para seguir vivos. esta novela tambien esta llena de experimentacion con el lenguaje a un nivel y con una altura excepcional, se nota que el escritor trabajo arduamente en su obra, mas de 10 anos para terminarla y utilizo elementos de faulkner y de joyce, bastante bien usados y pertinentes en esta novela. creo que el abrio la puerta de las letras latinoamericanas para la experimentacion y el avance.

no me basto con decir que este libro es excelente tuve que explicar porque es excelente para que no pase desapercibido y se pierda como joya en la tormenta....

LUIS MENDEZ

crazzyteacher@hotmail.com

Libro que lanzó a la fama Miguel Angel Asturias ganando el premio nobel de literatura en 1967. Señor Presidente retrata la epoca del dictador guatemalteco Estrada Cabrera,y denúncia las atrocidades cometidas por los que estaban en el poder.Realmente muy impresionante.

I agree with ginnymurphy that this is one of the very best books about Cuba and how the state is now that I've ever read. There's no propaganda (at least, that I could discern) here. Zoe Bran uses her investigative skills (in figuring out & explaining the lack of toilet seats, for example) and also her intense yet sensitive journalistic skills in interviewing (in Spanish) so many average Cubans, as well as several diplomats and Cuban officials, to get an all-around perspective of the situation there. She's very good at what she does, and she also sounds like the kind of person I'd like to be with on a visit to Cuba, a place that fascinates us norteamericanos, whether we admit it or not.

Ms. Bran's book so closely mirrors my own impressions and experiences in visiting Cuba with a natural history tour group in early 2001 that it is spellbinding. Her objectivity and the breadth of her experiences provide a reader with a more than reasonable facsimile for an actual visit to the island. The many small details that she notes are particularly noteworthy for a past traveler to Cuba: the lack of toilet seats, the rationing of soap and toilet paper, the constant search for food by the populace,the CDR painted on the cement residential buildings, the Chocolate Factory outside Baracoa, the intimate social activities along the Malecon, the political slogans, the presence of Che Guevara today, the furtive conversations, the marvellous music, the wonderful hopeful spirit of the population. If you read just one book about the current social experience in Cuba today, run to enjoy Enduring Cuba. I couldn't put it down!

This is one of the very few really good books on Cuba available right now, mostly because it's much much, more than just a travel book. Unlike many so-called experiences of the island, Bran's book doesn't sentimentalise but gives the real experience of someone visiting Cuba with a clear, unbiased eye. There's history here and personal experience and a whole lot of great description of people and places. Bran's range of knowledge is considerable and I particularly liked her Graham Greene-style meetings with the foreign correspondent who got thrown out of the country because he upset Castro by constantly referring to his age! I'd definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to know more about Cuba and what's it's really like in the dying days of a communist state.

I have been cruising the Bahamas for over 30 years. For all these long times there was just one cruising guide available. And it was quite limited in scope. The along came Stephen Pavlidis. He has singlehandedly upgraded the quality and safety of Bahamas cruising . His Exumas Cruising Guide is the most complete information you can get for that area. I wouldn't think of cruising the Exumas without it. Stephen Crow, K4CPX

I have cruised the Exumas four winters on my Jeanneau 41. I wouldn't think of doing it without Steven's wonderful book. He includes, for example, many chartlets not to be found in any other guide. Hence, I was able to find anchorages not well known (and which had, as a result, more lobster!).

Don't even think of visiting the Exumas without this book (or any other area included in his other guidebooks without its associated book).

I found the book to be the Bible for getting in and around the Exuma Cays. More importantly, the book nicely deals with the history, geography, flora and fauna of the cays. There is no way that a person should consider sailing, motoring or paddling into the Exumas without this book in hand. Too bad it was not printed on waterproof paper and bound with stainless steel staples. If your headed for the Exumas be sure to read and bring a copy along. It might also help to secure it in a large zip lock plastic bag.

Gives the facts on why the Cuban resistance won, when so many in the Latin America of that epoch did not. Good summary of Castro's conscious drive to unity of workers and farmers, refusal of any political cosying-up to ruling figures... he really had/has unshakeable confidence in the capacity of ordinary people to fight and win. His 1953 courtroom speech, History Will Absolve Me, is included in the book -- a stirring, sensitive condemnation of the brutality of the dictatorship. Very concrete, educational, seeking to reach the ears of the people to explain why they can move into action on their own behalf.

The Cuban revolutionary experience is something fighters for fundamental social change can benefit from to this day. Fidel Castro began to organize a movement of revolutionaries gathered around a leadership core of militants educated in Marxism years before the revolutionary war that overthrew the dictator Batista was begun. The revolutionaries came to be the uncontested leaders of a broad front of the bulk of the political forces that opposed the U.S.-backed tyrant. When the Cuban equivalents of "our own" Democrat-Republican capitalist hack politicians tried to snatch the leadership away, from Miami no less, they were outmaneuvered by the July 26th Movement and the Rebel Army, and their principled politics and armed struggle. This book, written by a Chilean-Cuban journalist, is a rich mine for the those who choose to resist imperialism's drive towards a New Depression, more and more wars, and fascist barbarism. Most especially, this book is for those who oppose the Empire from inside, which is where the decisive battles will take place. The inclusion of Fidel's masterful defense speech at his trial for insurrection, a classic example for stating the need for revolution-"History Will Absolve Me"-rounds this book out perfectly. Like Fidel said in Chile in 1970 (strongly similar to today's Venezuela), use these revolutionary experiences applied to your own country creatively and intelligently, and you'll win. Provided you have his same confidence in the ability of "average", "ordinary" working people to change themselves and the world through revolutionary struggle.

The thirtieth anniversary of the bloody U.S.-engineered coup in Chile just past in August 2003. So what is the difference between Allende's Chile and Fidel's Cuba? In this little book on "Fidel Castro's Political Strategy," Chilean writer Marta Harnecker takes up exactly this point, how Fidel always sought to mobilize Cuba's revolutionary people. Castro and the July 26 movement always avoided either sterile electoral reform or a simple coup that focuses on the hated ruler-in this case Batista, the U.S. supported dictator of Cuba in the 1950s. Fidel's strategy was always based on progressively mobilizing and inspiring the Cuban people to take the stage of history, and he and the Cuban people have succeeded in defending Cuba's revolution pretty well also. If the Cuban people were not ready at a moment's notice to defend the revolution, do you think it could have lasted a day-and almost forty-five years later, it's still strong. Also of great value in this book is the magnificent speech, "From Moncado to Victory," which Castro gave as his defense before being hauled off to Batista's prison in 1953. While amazon may list this book as unavailable from time to time, it is always available from booksfromPathfinder--click on "new and used" at the top of this page.

excellent review, easy to use. breaks down various types of vacations to the Caribbean, such as emphasis on water sports, site seeing, etc.

This is book #2 of the caribbean that I have purchased, it has great info on where to go, what to see and not spend a fortune. When traveling especially by cruise ship, your time is limited and you want to see all you can without spending it all! Very informative...

I am a big supporter of the Fodor's books - for my money, they are the only travel guides you need. Fodor's Caribbean is a good case in point. This book is for two kinds of travelers: those who already know what island they are going to, and those who want to go to the Caribbean, but are unsure which island(s) to visit.

If you don't know exactly where you want to go, Fodor's will give you the rundown. The "What's Where" section has a map of all the islands and a brief description of each one. Fodor's always addresses issues of cost, atmosphere, and what type of vacationer comes to the island. Next, you have the "Island Finder" - a chart with each island rated in each category, such as "Beautiful Beaches" and "Fine Dining." This is followed by the "If You Like" section, which rates the best in each category. Then there is the "Calendar" telling you when to go and what events happen when.

If you know where you want to go, Fodor's has each of the islands (or island clusters) listed separately. Each entry begins with a few pictures, a map, a brief essay, and everything you could possibly want to know about the island (where to eat, where to stay, what to do) broken down into an easy-to-read format.

IF YOU OWN A PREVIOUS VERSION. I had the 2005 version of this book. It's true, there are changes. The book is physically smaller this year, although there are actually MORE pages (maybe they use a smaller font?). It is organized somewhat differently: the "Smart Travel Tips" section is at the end (not the beginning) which had me fearing they'd done away with it. There are more pictures in this version. However, I've only noticed a few changes in terms of content - an extra hotel or restaurant here or there. If you own last year's book, you may be able to slide by without getting a new one.

I thought that "For the life of Laetitia" was an excellent book. I really got into the story and when her father started to get nasty I really wanted to meet him and slap him! My favourite part must have been when she got to go home with her grandmother and grandfather. But I also liked reading about the fun that her and Anjanee had. I was so upset when Anjanee died. I would recommend this book for ages 12-15 as some of the parts are for older children rather than younger.

This book was very good. It was about a girl, Laetitia (pronouced La-tee-sha) who lives in the islands. Sh got exepted in a secondary school, and lives with her father

"For the Life of Laetitia"is a wonderful book about a young girl who lives in the Carribean. Lacey is the first of her family to go to secondary school. This sparks sudden interest from her father, who she barley knows. Lacey exceeds above all of her class mates at her new school. She meets a new friend who she grows to love and need. In the long run, Anjanee (Lacey's friend) helps Lacey more than she could ever know. This book is essential for young people to read. It tells of determination,pressare, hard ships and struggle. Differances , family, friendships, and the simple things that bring happiness to life.

I've been a fan of Frida Kahlo since high school, and as an artist, I've been on a quest to find a book that includes all of her paintings and portrays their colors and contrast accurately. Many books increase the contrast so much that you can no longer see definition in the dark areas of her painting, but not this one! Likewise, many books only show a few of her more popular paintings, but this large volume dug many up from obscurity and presents them in vivid, full-page detail.

If you would like to own one book that covers all of Frida's works, this is it--look no further! This has a poetically written account of the political and social conditions she grew up and flourished in, as well as details of her paintings that are amazing.

Tired of reading all the Kahlo biographies full of facts in a "documentary style" format..? Then this book is for you. This Kahlo biography, with a splash of Mexican history, presents an in-depth look at the private life of this famous Mexican painter in the style of a novel. This book is written for young adult readers and is very well written, well organized, easy reading and full of tidbits of information not found in other books. Once you start to read it you can't put it down. When you're finished you will know and understand the real Frida Kahlo. Highly recommend this book to readers of all ages.

If you are looking for information on her paintings you won't find it here. Not much is said about her paintings and there are only 6 small color and 3 black & white illustrations of her paintings and 6 black & white photos. In the back of the book there is a very brief chronology.

This book is amazing. If you're a fan of Frida Kahlo, don't hesitate to check it out. For one thing, the book itself is well crafted. Along with the gorgeous prints (and various fold outs to show details), there's a good amount of photographs and a well-written biography.

Another great book on Kahlo is "Frida Kahlo: The Painter And Her Work" by Helga Prignitz-Poda. It has a slipcase so perhaps it'll appear to be "better," but Lozano's book is less than half the price, a bit larger and contains just as much, if not more.

I'd imagine poring over this book is as close as one can get to viewing her work in person without actually being there.

Iris Bannochie was one of the most influential horticulturalists in the Caribbean. This book contains vast amounts of information on plantings in general, specific plants, soil maintainence, pests and recommended plants for various settings and purposes.

This book was written toward the end of Mrs. Bannochie's lifetime of gardening in the Caribbean and contains many, many seemingly insignificant details that are gold to the tropical gardener. Upon her death, she bequeathed her home to the Nation of Barbados, and the site is now the famous Andromeda Gardens.

This book deserves five stars because it is the only gardening book extant that covers issues and concerns important and specific to Caribbean gardening. Had Mrs. Bannochie lived to see her book published, it is quite probable that it would have been far more comprehensive.

Chapter Two is invaluable for providing information on how to propagate specific climate appropriate plants. Chapter Four continues in the same vein, providing a comprehensive listing of tried and true favorites and pointers on how to grow them. My only criticisms are that the photographs (plates) in the center of the book are not of better quality and larger, that the tables at the end of the book fail to evaluate soil type on all the islands, and that there are so few diagrams or illustrations generally. Of course these paltry concerns may be remedied in a future revision. It is apparent that the co-author, Marilyn Light, faced a significant challenge in completing the book, and she is to be complimented for remaining true to Bannochie's vision.

Bannochie's writing style can be compared to having a conversation with an experienced, hands-on gardener while she strolls with you through her garden pointing out her favorite plants. Thus, I believe that one can actually sense which parts of the book were written by Marilyn Light after Bannochie's untimely death.

My copy of this book was lost or water damaged when my home was destroyed by hurricane on two different occasions. That I searched for and purchased it three times, is an indication of how important a reference it is for obtaining a general knowledge of not just Caribbean gardening, but gardening in any similar tropical climate.

This book deserves five stars because it is the only gardening book extant that covers issues and concerns important and specific to Caribbean gardening. Had Mrs. Bannochie lived to see her book published, it is quite probable that it would have been far more comprehensive.

Chapter Two is invaluable for providing information on how to propagate specific climate appropriate plants. Chapter Four continues in the same vein, providing a comprehensive listing of tried and true favorites and pointers on how to grow them. My only criticisms are that the photographs (plates) in the center of the book are not of better quality and larger, that the tables at the end of the book fail to evaluate soil type on all the islands, and that there are so few diagrams or illustrations generally. Of course these paltry concerns may be remedied in a future revision. It is apparent that the co-author, Marilyn Light, faced a significant challenge in completing the book, and she is to be complimented for remaining true to Bannochie's vision.

Bannochie's writing style can be compared to having a conversation with an experienced, hands-on gardener while she strolls with you through her garden pointing out her favorite plants. Thus, I believe that one can actually sense which parts of the book were written by Marilyn Light after Bannochie's untimely death.

My copy of this book was lost or water damaged when my home was destroyed by hurricane on two different occasions. That I searched for and purchased it three times, is an indication of how important a reference it is for obtaining a general knowledge of not just Caribbean gardening, but gardening in any similar tropical climate.