Caribbean Books

These books provide a nice history of the cooking techniques but the recipes are hard to reproduce because the ingredients are hard to find. If you read cookbooks like they are novels then this is for you. This book in the series is particularly expensive. I'm not sure the price is consistent with it's value.

I have looked high and low for a recipe for making marijuana brownies. Alas I have finally found one in print. All of the others look just as appealing mon!

This is a beautiful book! It not only covers the cultures of many of the Caribbean islands, with beautiful full color photographs and text, but it has a multitude of authentic Caribbean recipes. It even has recipes to blend your own jerk or Caribbean curry seasonings. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the Caribbean.

OK that was just the title. Really and truly of COURSE you should visit the Caribbean - at every opportunity you get but in all honesty this is the BEST Caribbean cookbook to be published. This book gives you a peak into the kitchen of every Caribbean island. The recipies are authentic, the flavours are phenomenal, and it will make you miss "home". You know that family recipe that your aunt or grandfather won't give you?...it just may be in there!

Both my parents are from the West Indies (Barbados & St. Vincent) and I have seen a lot of cookbooks about the Caribbean. This was the first book that provided SO much detail and the pictures where so life-like. It transports you to the island with pictures rich in colour and recipes from every island. I loved this book so much that I got one for my mother!

I don't really feel it is necessary to add my humble opinion about Neruda, his poetry, or this particular collection of poems. If you are even considering purchasing this book, then you are on the right track. I would, however, like to add a few comments about this particular edition.

I was somewhat confused because one reviewer stated the book was only in English, although the book claims to be a bilingual edition. I purchased it anyway due to the difficutly in general of finding some Spanish language literature in this country, and even on this site, with the intention to return it if it was only in English. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find it was indeed a bilingual edition. The cover art is quite different on the copy I received - just an observation.

If you are buying this book for the original Spanish version, then I can highly recommend this book. However, I must agree with several other reviewers as to the quality of the English translation. Honestly, and I hate to say it, but it is terrible. I realize that translating great poetry is a formidable task, and that certain license may need to be taken, but I have many other bilingual poetry editions (in several other languages as well) where the English versions are faithful to the original and yet beautiful in their own right, and where I have even felt occasionally that a reading of the English version can actually enhance the overall experience of the poem. This is definitely not the case with this translation. After reading the Spanish, I would find myself peeking over at the English, and thinking to myself, "What on earth was Tarn thinking?" Some of the liberties Tarn has taken... At one point, I seriously felt like taking a Sharpie to the English versions to obliterate them entirely. Realizing that this was probably a little extreme, and would certainly destroy the Spanish poetry on the other side of the paper, I have settled on making copies of the Spanish versions and putting them in a notebook so as to avoid the English versions entirely. I realize this may sound extreme, but only if you have not read the translations. Even if your Spanish is intermediate, you would probably be better off with this book (or a Spanish only version if you can find one) and a good dictionary.

All of that having been said, the introduction is adequate. And, of course, Neruda is remarkable.

Every review here mentions the spectacular nature of Neruda's captivating poem. As he said himself, he follows the philosophy of Rimbaud and arms himself with a "burning patience" that allows him to "enter splendid cities." However, the translation falls short of the quality of Neruda's words. Tarn inserts his own interpretations/images in his word choice which result in the creation of a new poem--ocassionally distant or discordant with the original. (quick example: in Canto XII, Neruda twice uses the word "río" in one of many instances of repetition in the poem. Tarn replaces the first use with "torrent" and the second with "Amazon." He effectively removed Neruda's use of repetition and inserted a proper noun which carries with it connotations perhaps not intended by Neruda. This is merely one of many instances where Tarn's translation subtly, but importantly changes the poem's meaning). However, if you are a lover of Neruda poems and have a reasonable grasp of Spanish, this is an essential for your collection.

6 stars for the poem, 2 for the translation = overall score of 4 stars

Neruda is easily one of the 20th centuries greatest poets. The Heights of Macchu Picchu is an excellent poem (Tarn's translation is a good one). It weakens a bit towards the end, but the first 2/3 of the poems is wonderful stuff. And Robert Pring-Mill prefaces this edition with a great essay that really takes you into the meaning of Neruda's poem.

I printed this book in 1986 in Bandon, Oregon using a Vandercook Universal #3 Press, Lutetia type from Harold Berliner's Typefoundry on Arches laid paper.

There are several inaccurate assumptions in the reviews here. Most importantly, this is not a Tarn translation. It is by the poet David Young, editor of Field Magazine at Oberlin College. His translations of Rilke are equally stunning.

This is an English only edition: Farrar, Straus & Giroux owns ALL English versions of Neruda published in English (or did so at that time) and the Neruda Estate owned the Spanish. It took 18 months to receive permission for 155 editions of the English and the Spanish permissions were far more daunting.

The binding was done by Greg Campbell at Campbell-Logan Bindery in St. Paul, Minn. I used green Roma paper over boards with red cloth 1/4 bound spine.

The full page line drawing of the condor was done by Jack Schroeder, a well known artist from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I asked him to draw the condor as if embracing the sense of "sloping height", and "Incan priest." I think he accomplished it well.

I hope this helps and falls within Amazon's guidelines

Pablo Neruda, born in Chile 1904, is one of the greatest Latin American Poets to have livedwas one of Latin Americaýs greatest poets.

The Heights of Macchu Picchu (considered by some to be his finest poem) was inspired by his journey to this famed ruined Peruvian Inca city. These poems take on a progressive journey within both the past of Latin America and the roots of the poet himself.

Lovers and devoted students of poetry will be caught up in Neruda's poetic power, hopefully capturing the quintessence of this great poets mind. Others, like myself, who are occasional readers of poetry, may need to reread his words, but, through the rereading, Neruda's own spirit will descend into you mind.

Pablo Neruda speaks to the heart and struggle of us all, as he writes, "How many times in wintry streets, or in a bus, a boat a dusk,.... in the very lair of human pleasure, have I wanted to pause and look for the eternal, unfathomable truth's filament I'd fingered once in stone, or in the flash of a kiss released." Highly Recommended.

The complex domain of US - Cuban relations is changing every day, with new developments on both sides in terms of policy, which in turn affect the Cuban economy, society in Cuba, perspectives for future change, etc. Nevertheless, this book already back in 1997, managed to set an excellent framework on the theme of US - Cuban relations on the long term. Contrary to what one might expect, the fact that five years have now elapsed, has not made this book outdated. On the contrary, we can see indeed that some of the author's predictions became reality. Altogether, even today this remains a great book as a starting point to approach and study this fascinating and ever-changing topic. For sure, a new edition could add some interesting information to this study. Yet, for the purposes it sets itself, this book is still very very up-to-date and topical, and will likely remain so even after Castro is gone. While being an academic book in the field of political sciences and international relations more specifically, this is also a book about history, and as such will be invaluable for scholars of Cuban history at any time.

In such a short book, with indeed only three chapters besides the introduction and conclusions, the author has managed to put together, in a concise and excellently presented way, the facts and data of which the reader must be made aware, the various possible interpretations of these facts, as well as the author's own interpretations and analysis. The book is an excellent review of existing material on the subject (a great amount of research and critique has obviously gone into it), as well as a wonderful analysis of this material, with the addition of original material from the Cuban media and interviews, and the author's own points of view, which are always presented against any possible counter-arguments. All in all, a great start for anyone who would like to explore the exciting subject of US
- Cuban relations.

In this brief yet dense academic study, the author manages not only to expose data and propose his views on the issue, but also to capture the reader's analysis in a way that few very academic books can. While it tells of the intricate relation between the US embargo against Cuba and what happens in the island, the book also tells a lot on the repression of Castro's regime over. With crystal clarity and even some razor-sharp sarcasm, the author manages to identify some crucial features which make Cuban society unique, which can in fact be traced back to the horrible effects of US policy on the Cuban people, ensued by Castro's manipulation of this. All in all, Cuban policy can often be regarded as a big farce. While we condemn Castro's dictatorship or / and the US embargo, and in either case we share the suffering of the Cuban people, this book helps us see all this in a thrilling new light, filled with some witty humour and a good deal of sarcasm, making the book wonderful reading altogether.

Es díficil encontrar estudios objetivos sobre el complejo tema de las relaciones entre Cuba y EE.UU. Y cuando se encuentran, muchas veces no resultan ser más que una agregación de unos pocos argumentos ya conocidos, que llevan años en los medios académicos sin haber demostrado tener ninguna validez - mismo vino en la mismas botellas. Sin querer predecir el futuro, este autor en cambio logra llenar las páginas de su breve ensayo con argumentos audaces y perspicaces, creando un denso conjunto de material que nos ayuda comprender la relación entre los cambios en la isla comunista (o falta de ellos) y el embargo de EE.UU. Un tema excelentemente investigado, y excelentemente expuesto sin demasiada pretensión. Se lo aconsejaría a todos quienes quisieran acercarse al tema, sean 'dilectantes', o expertos que quieran ponerse al día sobre las diferentes posibles enterpretaciones y visiones sobre el tema.

In this book, a variety of issues are approached thoroughfully and rigorously, yet in the most concise possible way. For those approaching this subject for the first time, and for experts alike, this book is an invaluable source of information, insights, and analysis. It is filled with sound arguments and interpretations, always accompanied by counter-arguments and alternative views. The author has done a great job in expressing with such fairness and impartiality his views on the Cuba - US conflict, views which are indeed an 'average' of those held by most foreign academics and world governments. Its third chapter, on the impact of the US embargo on Cuba's relations with third countries, is especially interesting and contains a lot of original material. By all means, this book is necessary reading for all those working on the subject.

Read cover to cover in Preparation for my very first cruise. This book has covered every detail. What to pack, what to expect from the ship and what to expect on the shore excursions even what the terminal looks like when we arrive at the port. Both shore excursions I have booked,(BEFORE BUYING THIS GUIDE) are rated very low...One even said don't bother. I'm hoping they were wrong about them. Excellent, Thourough book!

For family vacations which involve a certain investment ($$$) I like to know what to look for. This book does an excellent job of detailing the Disney Cruise ship and helped us plan our vacation from departure through the shore excursions and our return.

This is the best book on the market if you're planning a Disney Cruise in the future. There's more information offered than any of the other books I've purchased for our former cruises. It offers views from more than one person, including a child's point of view. I was so impressed by the information in this book I also bought the PassPorter's Field Guide to Walt Disney World. Both of these books will go with us on our trip in the near future. The only thing I didn't like was the photos, no color, so it's hard to tell just how beautiful the ship is if you haven't seen it before.

We recently went on the West Coast Disney Cruise in August and had a wonderful time. This was our first cruise, so we did not know much about cruising, Disney, etc. The book was well written and gave the pertinent information that was needed to make our trip successful and stress free. I highly recommend it and by reading it, it will make you excited for your trip!!

I was a bit sceptical since the author is a devoted Disney lover, but I have been quite impressed. We haven't gone on the cruise yet (we have another few months), but the book has been a wealth of information and a huge help in planning the other pieces to the cruise. Great investment if you've booked a Disney cruise!

Great picture book including everything needed to know about the Pirates of the Caribbean stories. Lots of information included among the pictures, not to mention the pull out poster of the Black Pearl. Great visual and fact guide!

Pirates of the Caribbean Visual Guide is fantastic. It is beautifully illustrated and printed a fine paper. This is a great companion book to Pirates of the Caribbean. DK has always done a fine job with these types of publications. Pirates of the Caribbean and DK is a Treasure Trove. This will make a great Christmas gift.

A must have for any Johnny Depp or Pirate fan. The pictures and text are excellent. I highly recommend this book.

Okay. So, I am an adult woman who bought this book so I could look at photos of Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Jack Davenport as sexy swashbucklers in the privacy of my own home. And,it works. If I can't actually join them in their adventures, I can enjoy looking at them. Plus, the book has lots of fun information and other great photos from the films. If you liked the films and just want to relive them a bit, this is a great book.

This book is a great purchase if you're a POTC fan. Lots of beautiful, detailed, color photographs paired with interesting info about the first two films that you might not find anywhere else. The book is neatly broken down explaining each character independently as well as each of the places the pirates hang out. There is also a very detailed map of the Black Pearl located in the center of the book and not to mention dozens of great photos of Capt. Jack! A great purchase!

This book is easy to use, yet provides the information that you need. Its color pictures make it easy to identify the coral that you see in the book out in the field.

For scuba divers, these volumns are unparalleled. There is so much to see under the sea and so many corals look very similar. Paul does an excellent job of helping you differentiate among species. Of course you have to use your memory or your camera to compare it to the guide book after the dive, cause the book does not tolerate depth very well. ;) Highly recommended book!

A field guide to coral, especially by Paul Humann, is essential to your collection of ocean field guides. Hundreds of coral species are listed, including: sea fans, hard corals, soft corals, and mushroom corals. The book also explains the many diseases that possibly afflict many species. The coral entries have excellent, detailed explanations beside them, concerning species depth, range, and abundance. The photograph transfers are above average, showing enough of the coral for identification purposes. The photographs are of course very beautiful, containing various, colorful hues of these animals. Buy the waterproof, annotated version of Reef Coral ID to bring along in the ocean on a scuba diving trip. The book has been updated twice since it was published, with the original print still floating around here on Amazon.com. The second edition is far superior, containing many more listings and more beautiful photos. Completely essential field guide for a private collection.

Don't take my word for it, go to a handful of dive shops and this author's name will come up more than once. An excellent book, I haven't come across anything I like better. The others in this family are just as good.

This Reef Coral Identification book is THE definitive guide. In brief there is not a better guide out there. It thoroughly covers each type of coral and gives identification information as well as full color photographs. In addition to all the corals it covers other plant life likely to be encountered while snorkeling or diving. These include grasses, weeds, algae and coral diseases. With a plastic cover and the pages treated to resist water it can be taken to the beach or onto the boat without much concern about the water damaging the book. For each item the book also discusses any danger to divers that the particular coral may represent (such as fire coral).

This book can also be purchased as part of a three part set that also includes the Reef Fish Identification and Reef Creature Identification texts, each of which is equally as excellent as the Reef Coral Identification book.

I took this book on my trip to the Yucatan, and it proved to be an absolute gem. The itemized, unreadable lists of hotels, restaurants, and sights that comprise most of the other guide books here are kept to a reasonable length. Instead, there is vivid -- and very readable -- prose, organized logically. What you can see by driving down southward along the Mayan Riviera, with histories of the region, histories of every little town. It's all put in context, like a novel. The detailed walkthrough of Chichen Itza made me a bigger expert on Mayan history, architecture etc. than the guide we hired. Overall, I highly recommend it!

This book is jam packed with in-depth information about the Yucatan including a full chapter on the Maya, another chapter on the history of the region, on top of all the important travel-related information that you usually see in travel books. I have a few books on the region and I think this is one of the best!

I have just returned from a two week driving vacation that visited 23 Mayan ruins and several museums and cities between Cancun and San Cristobal de Las Casas. I used it for hotel reservations as well as Mayan site and city visits and found it to be excellent, much better than the Moon guide or the Kelly guides to ruins. It let me down only once, in Cuidad de Carmen, where it had no map of the city, and its hotel recommendations were incomplete and misleading. Otherwise it was accurate and up to date. I recommend it highly to travelers who want comfort but not luxury, and who like to travel fast and intensively.

I spent 3 weeks in the Yucatan this fall and this book helped make my trip very enjoyable. I traveled to Merida, campeche, cozmel, cancun, plus many of the ruin sites and this book proved to be an acurate and reliable friend! If you like to travel on your own and seek out those outta the way places this is the book for you. I also enjoyed "Tourist in the Yucatan" fun thriller adventure novel set in the yucatan.

I'll add my voice to the chorus of praise, with one very small caveat. Comprehensive, in-depth, great historical background to put everything in perspective. We traveled with this and the Lonely Planet, but eventually just left the Lonely Planet in the car at all the sites, as Nick covered things so much better. But this is starting to get a bit out of date - published in 2002, so much of the info is now 4 years old. While there was more practical information (restuarants, hotels, etc.) here than I expected, it's worth the few extra bucks to get another, more updated guidebook as well.

This is a useful book for some pre-dive trip planning. It gives basic information about the islands such as best time to go, language, etc. It also list places to stay and eat on each island. While that can be useful, I use more up to date information I find online.

However, the dive site information is very good and useful. It rates each dive site with stars, tells you what to expect to see, how deep each site is, etc. So when you get to your destination you will have an idea of what sites you want to dive.

This comes in especially handy when you go to places such as Cozumel when they ask you what sites you want to dive that day. With the info in this book, you'll know what you want to see.

I use it before I go on each of my dive trips and copy the relevant pages to bring with me so I can suggest some sites if noone else has a preference. I've found the descriptions to be accurate and agree with most of the ratings thus far.

As a general guide for hotels, etc., you can find better and more up to date info, but as a dive guide, it is more than worth the price.

I bought this book as a Christmas gift, and my fella has been carrying it around the house ever since. We are both impressed with the detail and accessibility of the information. I was surprised that Paradise Island (Nassau) is not highlighted, but there are definitely many other must-see locations in the Caribbean.

The new, 2006, third edition of Best Dives of the Caribbean is packed full of dive-vacation planning information. It tells what time of year to go, the most popular dive sites with details on what to expect, depths, average sea conditions-- I get seasick if it's rough and prefer diving where the sites are ten minutes or less by boat, or better yet accessible from the beach. Indeed, some of the other one-desination guides are more suitable for the coffee table, but they don't tell me anything about the dive resorts, the $$ cost. I would not consider planning a dive-vacation to the Caribbean without consulting this gem of a travel guide. The dive resort write ups are detailed and give rates and package deals. Any, the author gives an email for additional questions.

A "must have" reference for any Caribbean dive vacationer. I've got the first edition as well and have used it to choose many of our dive trips over the past 5 yrs. It's by no means a compressive guide, and it doesn't pretend to be one. The best feature of this guide is the brief overview of diving and snorkeling and the descriptions of top dive sites at the destination. I prefer to use active internet forums for current reviews of hotels and dive operators, but the listings in Best Dives does help me narrow down to just a few to consider.

love this book. My dive vacations are strickly to take underwater photos and being able to plan ahead makes my life so much easier. It gives me the airlines, the resorts with prices, when I can expect good weather. It's like having a personal travel planner. I would not plan a Caribbean dive trip without consulting this trustworthy book.

I was introduced to this book through my high school literature class and thoroughly enjoyed. It's description of parts of early Trinidadian culture was my first glimpse into that world.
The story illustrates the social and cultural norms of the day and I read it with great curiousity.
Life has pushed Tiger and Urmilla into a new phase and we journey with them as they explore life and the small world in which they live.

I first read this book when I began teaching at a boy's school in Barbados 20 years ago, and I have ordered or taught excerpts of it to my classes in three other schools over the years. The book sets itself up for comparison between the two locations, London and Trinidad, and between the creole and the immigrant experiences. The stories range from the longer "Johnson and the Cascadura", which Selvon would expand into the later novel "Those Who Eat the Cascadura", to the stream-of-consciousness piece which ends the collection, "My Girl and the City", a style he would further explore in "The Lonely Londoners". Read separately or collectively, this is a delightful book of short stories that captures moments in time and for all time.

It is a pity that this book is no longer in print. I was first exposed to it when I taught it as part of the CXC curriculum in Barbados in the mid-80s. It is a delightful sequence of short stories arranged in two parts - Trinidad and London. Some stories are in dialect, others are in 'Queen's English' but for dialogue. The stories, though set in the 1950s, are universal in appeal, as witnessed by the fact that I have taught them to high school classes in British Columbia, New Brunswick, and now Ontario. The opening story, "Johnson and the Cascadura", and the final story, "My Girl and the City", are equal to any short story written anywhere by anyone. The latter story, being a stream-of-consciousness type, is far more accessible for high-school students than James Joyce! If you can get your hands on a copy of this short-story compilation, I don't think you will regret the effort or money expended!

It is a shame that this book is no longer in print. I first taught it in Barbados where it was part of the CXC curriculum, but I have been able to teach selected short stories from it to high school students in British Columbia, New Brunswick, and now Ontario. There are particular stories, such as the first - "Johnson and the Cascadura" and the last - "My Girl and the City" which stand against any short story, anywhere. The latter story is a stream-of-consciousness piece which is accessible for adolescent readers (far more than Joyce!). The collection is divided into two parts - Trinidad and London. If you can get a copy of this book, and are interested in the Caribbean experience, you will not be disappointed with your purchase.

This book is absolutely brilliant. It captures the true multi ethnic fabric of Trinidadian society through the trials of an Indian boy struggling to make it in early 20th century Trinidad. This book brings to light many ethnic and cultural issues that are a now inherent part of Trinidadian life, and is not only a brilliant piece of literature that should be cherished, but a piece of Caribbean history.

This is an excellent cookbook if you are true to the notion that homestyle food is the basis for all good food prepared in elaborate ways with exotic ingredients that become Gourmet by attention to preperation! This the is the Betty Crocker of Cuban Cookbooks. About as important to own if you study Cuban Cuisine as I have and an indespensable tool or ingredient in any Cuban Cookery. That speaks volumes; correct? My only compalint is I cannot read it, Its IN SPANISH!. So receiving the Spanish Version seems authentic but it never the less can't be accurately put to use.
Its IN SPANISH!

This is a reprint of a Cuban cookbook first published in pre-Castro Cuba in the 1950s. My book was my mom's & it's dilapidated, so I bought this one for my step-daughter. It's a classic and the real "bible" of TRADITIONAL Cuban cuisine.

The recipes are delicious. They come out exactly the way they are suppose to. One of the best Cuban Recipe books that exist. My parents used to have the same book in Cuba. Too bad it doesn't come in English. I've had several friends ask about it.

This is no mere cookbook, it is an institution.

This book defined Cuban home cooking for 1st generation Cuban American children whose parents came to the US from Cuba in search of a better life for their families. Being one of those children, my mom's cooking (with help from this book) forever defined what great home cooked Cuban food should be. It is the touchstone to which I will always compare anyone elses Cuban food. And to be honest, none so far has compared.

"Cocina al Minuto" represents a piece of Cuban culture and tradition in every household. Not nuevo Latino, fusion, or any other interpretation of the moment, these recipes are the bedrock of all great cuban dishes. Cuban family cooking at its best.

My mom passed the book on to me when I moved away and each time I cook a recipe it takes me back to my childhood, watching my mom cook in the house I grew up in. One of my favorites is Frijoles Negros. When I make this dish of dishes, and nail it, as my mom used to make, an incredible sense of joy and pride come over me. It is a little piece of my childhood in a spoon.

I hope to pass these same recipes on to my children and perpetuate the tradition of wonderful Cuban home cooking.

They don't call this "The Cuban Bible" for nothing. My Mom and Aunt brought theirs from Cuba when they immigrated to the United States. It is so worn out they are falling apart. It is the best cookbook I have ever used. The recipes are simply wonderful. Anytime I want to make a special Cuban dish I pull out "Cocina Al Minuto." I have also purchased several copies as gifts for family and friends.

Cristina