South America Books

I've lived in Florida, and studied archeology, all my life. Mac Perry reported on many sites that I had never known about, plus added information on those that I'd already visited. An excellent book, with a clear, interesting style.

Indian Mounds You Can Visit is informative and very interesting. A must read for anyone interested in Florida's history.

The Author has a style of writing that bring the reader into the world of Florida's first people. He very eloquently puts forth his message of conservation and protection. This book is packed with information on the various cultural periods of Florida pre-history like the Weeden Island and Safety Harbor people.

My husband and I wanted to do some time in "wine country" during our 1 year stay in France. We picked up this book at a local "english language library" and it was great! It really gives a lot of good information about the regions, the wineries, and the traveller's perspective on wine country in general. We've also used it extensively to document our pictures after the fact -- you know how you can forget the names of the 20 chateaux and 12 towns you visited! Well, this book provides enough information to put it back together when you are looking at a picture of a very pretty building which you cannot remember the name of.

It doesn't cover particular wines in detail (mentioning only a few), but for wineries, its a great guide.

The Wine Atlas of France by Hubrecht Duijker (with support from Hugh Johnson) is the best way to start exploring the various famous French wine regions by car. After presentation of the history and a description of a particular wine region, the book lists the address and describes the important wine estates of the region. Suggested routes for driving as well as listings of the top regional restaurants and hotels, in order to recover from the wine tasting. Besides excellent maps of different scales to find your way round the book has superb pictures so that you know what to expect. Alternatively, you may first want to use the book to browse through the various wine regions. Even without using the book as a travel guide it is very useful in locating wines and their vineyards.

This books contains informative descriptions, combined with detailed maps, and beautiful pictures, covering all the major wine producing regions of France. In addition, the author includes his favorite vineyards for each region. This book is a must for anyone travelling to France or just interested in learning more about the wine producing regions of France. Included in each section are a few selections on where to eat and where to stay as well. Having personally taken this book on my most recent trip, I can give it my hearty endorsement.

This wonderful picture book covers all the Americas: from A is for the Americas to Z is for Zuñi. The book explores the English alphabet as well as letters that the Spanish alphabet has in common with English, and it has informative entries for the Spanish Ch, Ll and ñ. Including the three letters the Spanish alphabet has but the Enlish does not is a nice touch;however, the text is only in English with excellent illustrations by Enrique O. Sánchez supporting the text. Spanish words and concepts are explained in English making this a good book for a child who is aquiring Spanish. A child who is acquiring English should also enjoy this text.

This wonderful picture book covers all the Americas: from A is for the Americas to Z is for Zuñi. The book explores the English alphabet as well as letters that the Spanish alphabet has in common with English, and it has informative entries for the Spanish Ch, Ll and ñ. Including the three letters the Spanish alphabet has but the Enlish does not is a nice touch;however, the text is only in English with excellent illustrations by Enrique O. Sánchez supporting the text. Spanish words and concepts are explained in English making this a good book for a child who is aquiring Spanish. A child who is acquiring English should also enjoy this text.

This wonderful picture book covers all the Americas: from A is for the Americas to Z is for Zuñi. The book explores the English alphabet as well as letters that the Spanish alphabet has in common with English, and it has informative entries for the Spanish Ch, Ll and ñ. Including the three letters the Spanish alphabet has but the Enlish does not is a nice touch;however, the text is only in English with excellent illustrations by Enrique O. Sánchez supporting the text. Spanish words and concepts are explained in English making this a good book for a child who is aquiring Spanish. A child who is acquiring English should also enjoy this text.

A Wish For Miguel was cool! In this book, Miguel, a worker on Isabella's rancho is called to work in the mines! Things are terrible in the mines! Workers often die and get hurt in rock slides, poisonous gasses soffocate the workers and many of them die of terrible diseases! Isabella must reach the Viceroy to tell him Miguel must be exused from the mines! To do that, she must play the guitar. Mama played the guitar and died last year. Isabella must find the courage to play the guitar.

Meet Isabella, the newest Girlhood Journeys character! Isabella is from Peru, in South America, in 1820. Her mother is no longer alive. She doesn't want to play music anymore since that's what her mother did. But now she found out her servant Miguel will have to go to a mine! The living conditions are horrible there! Isabella must never give up and go to the capital herself! And she does what she truly loves.

This was a great book. It is about Isabella, a young girl living on a rancho in 1820s Peru with her Papa. Mama died last year, and life hasn't been the same. Isabella can no longer play the guitar now that Mama has died. But now one of her father's employees, Miguel, is going to be sent to work in the mines, and Isabella must find the courage to play the guitar - for Miguel's life depends upon it.

I own a dozen or more of these local history photo volumes in this Images of America series by Acadia. This is one of my favorites. Individual portraits and archit. are both covered. Its an amazing education in how so many of the most prominent buildings and institutions of New Orleans were build and sustained by members of the small Jewish community.

Judah Benjamin "the brain of the Confederacy" and the first Jewish US Senator; Judah Tuoro; owner of the Tulane president's mansion on St. Charles; Latter (home is now St Chas. public library), etc. Clearly -- the Jewish community here has long been one of the most gifted and active in the country. Yet another example of just how unique New Orleans is.

A good companion to this volume would be teh dry but VERY informative book by Bertram Korn, The Early Jews of New Orleans (1967).

This book was published just in time! Right after its release Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast. Many of the original photographs, which belonged to local families were damaged, or lost. I only wish the book had been bigger!

This is a great book that is easy to read. If you love history, especially history of the jews of New Orleans or the South, this book is a " must have." Not only did I enjoy reading it, but so did my 13 year old son. There are great pictures in the book, too. The book would make a perfect gift for Chanukah, wedding, anniversaries, birthdays, or Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. Hope to see more books by this author very soon!!!

Great book regarding Brazilian history. The book includes information which is not found in any other history books in the English language. Unless you can read books in Portuguese, otherwise most of the information in this book it will be new information to you.

If you are interested in history this is a great book about Brazil and Brazilian independence. I learned some fascinanting information regarding Jose Bonifacio and his participation on Brazilian independence. The book also introduced me one of the major players which had a major impact in ending the institution of slavery in the Americas. Jose Bonifacio wanted major agrariam reform in Brazil in 1822. His name come to mind with the current "Landless People" problem in Brazil. This is a book which was missing from the American literature landscape.

I enjoyed reading this book. It contained new information about Brazilian independence and the man who brought it about. I am glad I read this book to receive new information about one of the largest countries in the Americas. I was surprised to find out that Jose Bonifacio was one of the most important figures in history in the fight to end slavery in the Americas.

In doing research for our Sunday School mission project on Haiti, I borrowed this book from the local library. I was so impressed with the story line and illustrations that I purchased a copy for the Church library. It brings awareness to the fact that education is a priceless gift and not a guarantee in many countries.

Set in rural Haiti, JOSIAS, HOLD THE BOOK provides a snapshot of life for children in a very different culture. Josias doesn't attend school, instead, it is his job to maintain the family garden. The garden is vital to the survival of his impoverished family because it provides them with food and some of the excess crops provide additional income. His parents work very hard, and have entrusted him with the care of the crops. Josias takes his responsibility seriously, and rises early in the morning to work. Each day he sees many of the children in the community walking to school. His friends often ask him when he will "hold the book," which refers to when he will begin attending school. Each day he waves them off, knowing his responsibilities at home take precedence over school.

One day Josias notices that the garden isn't thriving. After several attempts at remedying the problem, he decides to ask the friends if they can find the answer to the problem in a schoolbook. It is then he realizes the value of an education. After talking with his parents they all agree that sacrificing to send him to school now, may benefit the family more in the long run.

JOSIAS, HOLD THE BOOK is a warm and enlightening story. The muted tones in the illustrations mirror the warmth of the story and add considerable detail. I enjoyed the fact that Josias discovered the importance of education on his own, and then shared the realization with his family and convinced them he was right. He was truly an example of a child leading the family. I also appreciated the fact the author presented rural Haitian culture in a thoughtful way. The parents were not depicted as inadequate because they didn't send their son to school; even the youngest readers can recognize that the parents were doing the best they could under the circumstances. In addition, Josias and his family found a way to compromise; his going to school meant some sacrifice, but once he finished his school day he would still maintain some of his responsibilities in the garden. At the same time, he intended to use the things he learned in school to help his family, reinforcing his commitment to family. Josias is a wonderful example because he demonstrates persistence and the value of hard work. JOSIAS, HOLD THE BOOK is a thoughtfully written and beautifully illustrated book that teaches children about a life vastly different from their own and helps them appreciate education; something many children in the U.S. take for granted.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This is the story of Josias, a Haitian boy whose family depends on him to tend the garden, which is vital to their survival, instead of attending the local school. When the garden doesn't thrive, Josias and his family realize learning is vital to success with the garden and with life. Author's Note describes a schoolchild's day in Haiti.

I loved the simplicity of the writing. Yet any child that hears this tale will identify with the hero, who dutifully tries to help but fumbles every job. Truly an enjoyable book.

I always enjoy reading different versions of fairy and folk-tales. This a fun Puerto Rican version of the Lazy Jack stories. Actually, I like the ending better than in Lazy Jack. It bothered me that some poor girl would be stuck marrying a fool like Lazy Jack simply because he made her laugh. That could make for a very looooong, trying marriage! But a useful reward, that seems quite appropriate. Anyway, the illustrations are cheery and charming. A nice addition to a folktale collection!

I am a Spanish teacher at the elementary school level and have read this book to children from 5 to 9 years of age and they all adore the ridiculous Juan Bobo. Unlike any other books I've read to them, kids will look for Juan Bobo books in the library and ask to borrow mine. We call each other "silly vaca" like Juan calls the cow that he thinks has turned to stone but which is immobile because Juan has tied his legs together. He was just doing as he was told, tying up the cow before he milks it.

My husband and I bought the book while onboard a ship cruising thru the Panama canal, the author was giving a speech about lost treasure. After the speech we spoke with him about his research, then purchased the book, it was spellbinding! My husband who never reads, could not put it down, and spent many hours reading. We even bought a copy for a friend at home, who is now also enjoing it. Worth reading even for those "non" readers. Full of adventure and dangers.

A King's Ransom by Michael Cole is an involving novel about three men and a woman who set out to obtain the Golden Disk of the Sun -- a priceless Inca treasure lost within the Amazon jungle. Yet personality rifts disrupt the team, and the threats and hardships of the jungle take their inevitable toll. Catalina Rivera's resolve is sorely tested, and the ultimate prize bears more than one price in this page-turning narrative. A King's Ransom documents Michael Cole as an original and gifted storyteller and will leave the reader looking eagerly toward his next effort.

It's one of the best action/adventure stories I've ever read. Once I started it I coudn't put it down. The story is a lot more than just a quest for gold. What really held my inerest were the characters. They seemed so real that I actually expected them to jump off the page!

You won't have any trouble finding just one or two photographs in this book that will make it worth the cost of purchase alone. This is the most economic concise source of good early Knoxville photographs available. If you would like to get a glimpse of Knoxville of your youth, or much earlier, then this one is for you!

This is one of the best books ever printed on Knoxville, TN and worth every penny for the rare photographs of early life in the city. Mr. Hooper has done an excellent job in bringing history back to the masses and made it fun to read. Anyone who has ever lived, worked or was born in the city will love this book.

I found this book to be fascinating and a breath of fresh air from the usual "archive" authoring that comes from such books. I only wished there were more pages. Numerous friends who are natives to the city have found antique photos of relatives they never knew existed. Certainly worth the money just to see the real history of a city and the real people - not the politicians and patricians- that made Knoxville. Good read!