Caribbean Books

The Devil's Workshop is a collection of brief yet emotionally memorable free-verse poems by novelist and poet Demetria Martinez. Poignant and memorable, reaching out to people, The Devil's Workshop is a compendium of verse which embraces both the light and the dark of humanity. Today I was told that the words/'War is bad'/Make for/Bad poetry./ OK./Then consider/This poem/Dispensable,/Depleted/As uranium,/A poor poem,/A colored poem.

This book is probably one of the most interesting books found on the subject of Afro-Latin American civilization. Its detailed accounts on neighboring cultures in Latin America have brought it some unity and understanding. It expands and adds to the history of African slavery and not to mention is an important link from the African to the Latin American. It will definitely be on my shelf once I get the money!

Professor Allsop has been working on this volume for a long time, but for those with an interest in language, it was worth the wait.

There are two outstanding features to this dictionary. The first is the most obvious one: the etymology of words used in daily Caribbean life emphasises not just the culturally diverse origin of language in the region (indigeneous, European and African), but the capacity Caribbean people have displayed to come to terms through language with that diversity. The second thing is the wonderful contrast between the erudite and clinical definitions of the words, and the words themselves, which are alive with the musicalness that characterizes Caribbean English.

If this is Lopez's first book I can't wait to read his second book. It's not a very long book but it sure fills your mind with many many thoughts. I'm impressed. I would recommend this collection of poems to any poetry lover.

Susana Thenon demoro mas de 12 anios en escribir este libro. Fue trabajado como una verdadera joya. Precision. Justeza de vocabulario. Durante ese tiempo se centro mas en la fotografia. Fue una gran fotografa. En Distancias se puede ver cierto deseo de cercar el movimiento. De fijar ciertas ideas. Es un gran libro. Podria decir que es un libro de unica factura en mi pais. Celebro que exista una traduccion al ingles.

We took Tim's advice to heart, and spent a great month in Bali. We toured the island anti-clockwise and dove and photographed all the sites Tim highlighted. We dove with the operators he suggested, as well as some others, and found that his suggestions were always always best.

Ever considered a trip to Bermuda? Take one look at this book and you will. Bermuda is world-famous for some excellent historic shipwrecks and, speaking as someone who writes about shipwrecks for a living, I was very keen to see what original information was available to me. The answer was "Quite a lot."

"Diving Bermuda" measures 10" x 7" and is another diving guide in the well-established medium size format from Aqua Quest Publishing of New York. As I have said before, these particular publishers, set high standards and demand all contributing authors/photographers maintain those standards at all times. Little wonder Aqua Quest are a leading name in the USA for books such as this.

Not only is this book well-presented from beginning to end, but, as a Guide for Divers considering a visit to this country it achieves all the requirements for such a guide. Chapter One is an overall introduction containing details of Bermuda's Maritime Legacy - from the past to the present. This is followed by all the vital and relevant information a visitor needs to know when planning a trip including sections on Accommodations (to suit all budgets.), Shopping and Dining.

Having, therefore, set the scene as far as the country is concerned, the book then concentrates on the dive sites with three chapters providing all the relevant information - both terrestrial and submarine. This includes no fewer than 20 shipwrecks but, for those who prefer not to visit man-made objects underwater, an additional chapter is dedicated to the country's stunning reefs and marine life.

If all that is not enough, the Authors have also given thought to those who limit their underwater activities to Snorkelling with a further chapter detailing several good sites. With a final chapter on the all-important subject of Safety, the book is then rounded off with Appendices on local Scuba Diving facilities and Bermuda Tourist Board Offices in the USA. Time to grab that phone and make some enquiries I think.

With almost every page decorated with high quality colour images and maps, this has to be rated as a first class book which achieves exactly what a Diving Guide should achieve and I congratulate the Authors and Publishers on an excellent product.

NM

My first reaction on taking delivery of this book was very positive. What an excellent and refreshing concept - to produce a guide book for Scuba Divers to a series of resorts owned by one company as opposed to a country or region. Perhaps the publishers will also consider something very similar for those fleets of live-board diving boats that operate under the same flag but are found dotted around the world's leading Scuba Diving destinations - such as Peter Hughes and the Aggressor Fleet. Just a thought.

Measuring 10" x 7" "Diving Club Med" comes in the well-established medium size format favoured by Aqua Quest Publishing of New York. As I know from experience, these particular publishers, set high standards and demand all contributing authors/photographers maintain those standards at all times. Little wonder they are a leading name in the USA for books such as this.

From beginning to end, the reader is treated to a well-presented format containing plenty of vital and relevant information all lavishly supported by high quality colour images and maps. Chapter One is a potted history into the Club Med concept and this is followed by the company's overall approach to Scuba Diving, their policies, procedures and regulations combined with the diving programmes and training courses generally available.

From Chapter 3 onwards we get down to cases and these include the Club Med facilities in Turks & Caicos, St. Lucia, Bahamas (Columbus Isle and Eleuthera), Mexico (Cancun, Playa Banca and Sonora Bay), French Polynesia and Martinique. The final chapter, however, is all about their very own ship "Club Med" and her sailing/diving itinerary. I didn't even know Club Med had a ship and with ports of call such as Les Saintes, St. Barthelemy, BVI, Marie Galante, Nevis & St. Kitts, St. Martin, Dominica, St. Lucia, Bequia, Barbados, Tobago and Tortuga (to name but some) this is clearly one means of reaching some very remote diving destinations where the local diving facilities may be anything from lacking to non-existent.

For those people who would like to consider combining their annual diving vacation with the overall holiday atmosphere for which Club Med is world-famous, this book is a must and is thoroughly recommended.

NM

The author, Martha Watkins Gilkes, has lived and traveled in the Eastern Caribbean for over 25 years. This gives her a unique personal knowledge of the best diving in this more remote area of the Caribbean. From the more well known islands like Barbados to the remote islands like Anguilla, the reader will get first hand information on the diving sites. Forwarded by STAN WATERMAN and PETER BENCHLEY, the book is a practical hands on diving guide.

This book is an adjunct to an exhibit at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in NYC. I went to the exhibit two weeks ago, and everyone there was buying the book at the museum. I had already bought it from Amazon, had time to review it, was way up on what to expect from the exhibit, and saved a few dollars besides! Yeah for Amazon!