Central America Books

A concise, well-researched study of one of the most fascinating new paradigms for social change and conservation: the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. A must-read for anyone interested in new trends in conservation, and in hope for our planet.

The author makes a valuable addition to the dialogue on democracy by not only incorporating older approaches but also moving beyond them. Based on both archival sources and original interview data, this revised dissertation provides cogent arguments, lucid writing, and credible references. The book weaves together two perspectives on democratization often viewed as mutually exclusive: structural and agency approaches. It integrates these two by introducing a third approach: political coalition-building. The author's postulates are tested by examining the histories of Costa Rica and Guatemala. The histories of these two countries actually provide three case studies: one example in each country where democratization failed, and one example in Costa Rica where it succeeded. By introducing a new emphasis on the importance to democratization of the mobilization of the countryside, the author sheds new light on known historical events. She also emphasizes that not only the timing but also the sequencing of events is important in attempts at democratization. Finally, other conditions necessary to the emergence and permanence of democracy are identified for use in future studies. This book should enliven the debate on democratizatio

In this wonderful literary study, Sánchez-Eppler carefully examines a wide range of antebellum cultural practices in which children play a central part, from religious education, to domestic reform movements, to the circulation and consumption of death-bed images. While the book's five chapters provide a fresh look at some familiar literary figures--Hawthorne, Stowe, Alcott, Whitman--"Dependent States" is distinguished by its consideration of a treasure-trove of archival sources: drawings by children as well as daguerreotypes of children; youthful journals and notebooks alongside child-rearing manuals; stories penned by children in addition to adult fiction with child protagonists; pre-adolescent diaries along with parents' transcriptions of precocious conversations; and children's compositions as well as public school song lyrics.

The book's erudite introduction provides a conceptual and historical framework for approaching childhood. The introduction alone will be essential reading for anyone interested in the growing field of child studies, as much for its capacious and generous footnotes as for its elegant framing of the book's concerns.

Just want to note that there is a new book out showing the in depth construction of the Panama Canal. If you are one to be intrigued by engineering feets of yesteryear this book is for you. Great photos of BIG MACHINERY, old ships, and alot of dirt. Much information on the mechanics of digging a fifty mile ditch. Get this one for your library.

The Polpo Vuh is also written by the Maya of Ancient America. It predates the Chilam Balam series by at least 4,000 years. This is written as a correction to the previous reviewers notes on the Chilam Balam. It is important to purchase these books while they are available to us, the American Aboriginal from any part of the Americas while there is peace. None of the California Public librarys carry any of our ancient texts as they still marginalize our needs. You can always get Ancient Classical Greek works in public librarys across the country and anything from across the ocean but our own American original pieces are not made available to us still. So, if you can please purchase these books, and the Popol Vuh and donate them to your public librarys while we still have a chance to recover from the on going conquest.

A really delightful introduction to the Dominican Republic. The photography is superb and both the pictures and the text are sophisticated enough for adults.

The book helps students learn about the historical, geographical, sociological, and economic aspects of the Dominican Republic in interesting and simple stories.

A definite help to young students from the DR who do not have information about their native land. An excellent tool for Spanish speakers of all ages to learn English with the background of their homeland. Teachers of ESL do not overlook this book.

I had already planned and booked my trip to DR so I did not need or want one of the MANY books out there on where to stay, what to do, etc. I had already taken care of all that. Instead, I wanted to learn about the history and culture of the DR, to gain some background knowledge on my travel destination. This book gave me a great overview of the country. The chapters are broken down into the following sections: a history of the nation; from plantation to vacation: DR today; Music, food & the arts; nature and outdoor activities; Santo Domingo, Mountain/river/central areas; the north coast; the east coast (sugar and sand); the southwest; and various facts/information (that are helpful to tourists). This book makes no mention of specific resorts, rather geographic areas and what each has to offer. There are many beautiful color photos throughout the book as well. It is a very quick and easy read, and because I read it I felt like I knew a little bit about the wonderful people of DR whom I came in contact with. Do not buy this book if you are looking for a Fodor's type book that lists and rates resorts, restaurants, etc. Buy it to get a brief lesson in DRs history and culture before traveling to the country. You won't be sorry!

Johnston has produced a thoughtful, well-researched and documented work dealing with three issues of major significance to modern citizens: automobile fuel efficiency, global warming and air pollution. There are fascinating insights into the process of legislation and regulation in the US government. This book should be required reading for anyone with an interest in our environment, and concern about the appropriateness of the measures being taken to protect it.

This text provides informative and up to date information regarding a broad range of drug related topic. Althought the reading level is not easy, the information is extremely useful for drug counselors. The information presented regarding psychopharmacology provides an excellent base of preparation for the certification test used in many states. I highly recommend this text as well as many of the web site exercises.