South America Books

Dr. Lopez begins his narrative of the Comuneros Revolt in the most unlikely of places, Buen Ayre, winter of 1536. Yet it is here that the history of Paraguay and thus the foundation for the revolt begins. Taking us through the establishment of Asuncion in 1537 through the leadership of Irala and Hernandarias, we arrive to a man like Antequera, modeled in the ways and traditions of a very independant mentality.

Can we fault Dr. Lopez in his narrative of the Revolt? Perhaps not, but he could have mentioned more about the effect the Jesuits and their economical aspirations had upon the Asunceno society of the early 18th century.

All in all, this is a great historical book dealing with a subject that is seldom touched upon by North American historians: Paraguay.

I found the book excellent and very informative. The scope is much broader than what the title hints, it's a history of Paraguay from it's inception to the mid XVIII century, very well documented and very readable. Maybe, if I have to find a fault, a better review of what was going on in the Jesuit missions area would have helped. If somebody wants to get the full picture, he'll have to go look for some other book on the missions south of the Tebicuary river. Another fault is in the mispelling of "comuneros" in the cover, I am sure that the author was the first to be very annoyed by that.

I must say I expected a good book following the purchase of Metallic Cartridge Conversions, what you get with Colt Single Action: From Patersons to Peacemakers is a superbly produced book covering this genre. Not only informative as you would expect but written so well, not over technical just sheer good interesting subject reading, add the brilliance of Dennis Adler's photography you have one of the best books on the market. If you are a devotee of R L Wilson's books as I am, he now has some very serious competition.

This book is chuck-full of information; the opening chapters, particularly those pages dealing with Patterson rifle conversions are unique in my experience! Mr. Leavett has some fascinating pieces.

The illustrations are of the highest quality; I was happy to see the coverage given to the engraved versions of the "second-generation" black-powder revolvers, having owned a few myself.

This is right in there with the best $19.99 you can spend on a gun book.

South Carolina by Henry Leifermann is one of a series of Compass American Guides. Each state is written by a different author, and South Carolina is not only the best of them all, but also one of the most informative and concise guides ever written.

South Carolina is a diverse and beautiful state, and few states can boast that they begin at the Atlantic Ocean and end at the mountains. The author first provides us with a crash course in history from the geology of South Carolina, to the Colonial Era, the Revolution, the Antebellum Era, The Civil War and through to race relations and the diverse population that makes up this state. Leifermann also includes chapters on the Sea Islands, Charleston, Coastal Plantations, Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand, Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and the Blue Ridge. In addition to maps, timelines, paintings, and drawings, all the chapters include wonderful photography by Eric Horan.

This book is also packed full of pertinent information such as facts about the climate, the economy, the population, and specifics (state bird, state flower, etc.). It also provides the reader with practical information such as bed and breakfasts, hotel chains, restaurants, historic sites, festivals and events, museums, parks and forests, tours, golf courses, and places to get tourist information. It even includes a recipe or two.

So, if you're planning a trip to South Carolina, forget the AAA Tourbook and pick up Leifermann's book instead. You won't be disappointed.

Leifermann is an excellent writer, and his commentary is insightful. This is not your typical Chamber of Commerce, tourist brochure type of guidebook. The book is comprehensive and attractive, chock full of useful information. It contains excellent photography and tell-it-like-it-is descriptions. It has the accurate maps that are a necessity to any adequate guidebook. If you buy only one resource on South Carolina, this book should be it.

If you've never been to the American Southwest, this book will inspire you to go. This detailed, easy to read book filled with descriptions of the best cuisine, museums, local treasures, and natural wonders is the best available guide to the Southwest.

The guide focuses on New Mexico and Arizona, but contains some information on West Texas, southern Colorado and Utah, and Las Vegas. The major areas covered are: Central New Mexico, Santa Fe, Northern New Mexico, Four Corners, Utah canyonlands, Grand Canyon/Las Vegas, Central Arizona, Southeastern Arizona, Southern New Mexico, and Texas Trans-Pecos. Whether you're planning a trip to see the Indian pueblos and Spanish missions, see the amazing natural wonders of the mountains, or just have some great food and fun with the family, this guide will do it.

Kerrick James's photography is enough to make you get in the car and GO! Great buy.

This, as well as all the other guides in the Compass series, is a fantastic resource! The text is witty, engaging and full of wonderfully descriptive information, with an emphasis on the historical and cultural background of the area. Not only that, but the pages of the book are peppered with gorgeous color photographs and sidebars relating historical anecdotes and extra tidbits of information. It also includes the standard information on festivals, tourist attractions, restaurants & hotels, but the value of the book, for me, lies in the writing. The deep love and enthusiasm of the contributing authors for this part of the country is infectious, and makes for great reading. I have spent hours poring over the other Compass guides in bookstores, although the American Southwest is the only one I actually own, and they all follow the same pattern; this will definitely be my guide of choice for any US destination!

I was amazed at how helpful a guidebook can be! Having this book, made my trip to the Gulf South so much more enjoyable and meaningful. Not only does Ms. Bultman obviously know and understand this part of the country, but her enormously entertaining writting make the book a joy to read. I enjoyed the book so much that I am continueing to read it even after I returned home!

I picked up the new Compass American Guide: Gulf South to plan a trip to a warmer climate. Outside the snow was blowing, but I was swept up in the fun and informative narrative by Ms. Bultman and associates. I definately plan a Mardi Gras visit to New Orleans for next year, and D. Fran Morley's "Confessions of a Fairhope Transplant" made me want to pack up and move to her charming little town tomorrow! For now I'll have to settle for a visit but the hard part will be chosing a spot. Natchez and the River Road? Cajun country? Fairhope? From a practical point of view, the book's restaurant and hotel/motel listings are quite complete, and I love the fact that it really tells it like it is in regard to places NOT to visit. The Compass Guides are called "insider's guides," and that's really true here. It's like getting great tips from old friends who know a place inside and out.

Not only does this book contain an immense amount of information about the gorgeous and fascinating state of Nevada---but it is all presented in a personable, idiosyncratic, witty and winning style. As with most guidebooks, you'll probably be interested in reading only those sections relevant to a planned trip. But the book is so informative and fun, you might find yourself---as I did---reading sections about areas in Nevada you have no plans to visit. Highly recommended.

Amusing and useful, well-laid out with honest reviews of both wilderness areas and the glitter gulches--I have used this book for several trips to Nevada and it is indespensible

I have reviewed many American history-related books for my college classes - textbooks, essay collections, primary source collections. Of all the choices out there, Constructing the American Past is my favorite. Each section begins with an essay that sets the stage for the documents you are going to encounter. Then comes a series of primary documents - brief enough excerpts so that you are not overwhelmed, but long enough to get a well-rounded picture of whatever issue the chapter is address. The documents are followed up with another essay, and finally you are given a few provocative questions to consider. Don't miss the set of documents on the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in the Introduction!

I am a former student of Dr. Bilhartz's who used this textbook in class. The text is full of interesting primary sources that can be examined for class discussion. Some of my favorite class discussions derived from the sources used to decipher the intent of Aaron Burr to kill Alexander Hamilton and the examination of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." Also - the text includes a section on the Lincoln/Douglas debates which will bring your concept of Abraham Lincoln to a new level. A fabulous text to teach historical research - and this is coming from the student! By the way - I didn't sell back the book.

This is a wonderful purchase for anyone interested in the African influence in Latin America.

Gleaton's work is gorgeous. These photos are treasures for anyone who calls the Americas home. What's he working on now? Can't wait for the next Gleaton collection!

This book was superbly written by Seth Bramson. It is a five star book which I highly recommend. This book captures valuable historic photographs with precise detailed information educating us about the history, architecture, and important people of Coral Gables years ago.

this book also shows me a lot of old photos of the miami areas around old coral gables.

Cornbread Nation 1: The Best of Southern Food Writing was edited by John Edgerton and includes fifty-one original features and selections previously published in magazines and journals, all celebrating Southern people, places, traditions, and foods. It was published in association with Southern Foodways Alliance, a group of foodies who "celebrate, teach, preserve, and promote the diverse food cultures of the American South." There are now four collections of essays thus the "1" in the title-- the "annual" has appeared four times over six years.

This volume is organized by "People," "Times," "Things" and "Places", but it's much more fun to pick and choose your dishes much as you would at a buffet in Northern Virginia -- nothing prevents you from having dessert before the soup, for example.

As Edgerton writes: "Individually, the selections in these pages can stand alone; they need no shoring up from us. Collectively, they buttress our conviction that nothing else the South has to offer to the nation and the world--with the possible exception of its music--is more eternally satisfying, heartwarming, reconciling, and memorable than its food. Our dishes and beverages express our faith, our good humor, our binding ties, our eternal joys and sorrows, our readiness for whatever awaits us."

A few of my favorites: Rick Bragg's "Dinner Rites," Thanksgiving meal in Alabama with cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese ("a vegetable in the South.") "I eat until it hurts, and my brother Sam will grin at me, because he lives here, works at the cotton mill, and can eat it all the time."

Fred Chappell on "ice" tea: "I am one southerner who detests that dirty water the color of oak-leaf tannin."

Kathleen Purvis teaches that pig liver, head parts, and cornmeal spiced with pepper and sage is called "livermush" (possibly brought south from Philadelphia by German immigrants).

This collection sets a very high and enjoyable standard for the entire Cornbread series.

Robert C. Ross 2008

I truly could not put this book down. My daughter gave this book to me for my birthday last fall. When I looked at the title, I was alittle skeptical. As soon as I started reading the book I was completely absorbed. If you want to know about Southern cooking or the Southern people this book is for you. What a fun book.