Caribbean Books

One of the best books on this topic because it not only examines Brazil's social and political problems but sees them as the legacy of past historical events and actions. The author knows Brazil intimately and conveys a sense of compassion for its people.

Armstrong expone en este ensayo corto(150pg) una reflexion y historia sobre el mito, menciona que la perdida de este en nuestra cultura moderna ha sido una gran decadencia espiritual, el pensamiento mítico y su practica ayuda al ser humano a enfrentar el vacio y los prospectos de extinción. Cuando pensamos en mito hoy en día pensamos en algo sobrenatural y fantástico, difícil de creer, algo que la razón no puede explicar, este abandono de los mitos universales y actuales han causado una gran desesperación en nuestra cultura. El mito nos enseña a ver y percibir el mundo moderno de un modo diferente; nos muestra cómo mirar en el interior de nuestro corazón y cómo ver el mundo desde una perspectiva que va más allá de nuestro propio interés. Pero la mitología sólo nos transformará si podemos seguir sus orientaciones. En esencia un mito es una guía; nos dice qué debemos hacer para enriquecer nuestra existencia. Si no lo aplicamos a nuestra propia situación y no lo convertimos en una realidad de nuestra vida, nos resultará algo tan incomprensible y ajeno como las reglas de un juego de mesa, aburridas y complicadas hasta que empezamos a jugar. Esta es una reflexión, que se ha escrito con sencillez, repasamos el pensamiento mítico desde el paleolítico hasta su decaimiento en nuestra era. Importante trabajo y muy entretenido, necesitamos el mito para que nos ayude de nuevo como a nuestros ancestros a venerarla la tierra como algo sagrado en vez de usarla meramente como un recurso.El mito no es algo que pasó sino una idea que retorna, permanece y acompaña al ser humano, su vigencia todavía se puede contemplar en el arte, literatura y pensamiento.

Fascinating this review on the History of Clay and Stones. The author really knows his "Stuff"as he describes the sources of imported stones going back to pre-Columbian celts of Jadeite travelling to Jamaica from the Central American coast. Then the "dripstone" water filters from Barbados used in every Jamaican home to clarify the drinking water!
Finally to be able to identify from whence came the masses of ballast stones in the form of bricks, paving stones and coblestones quarried in the West Country of England and filling empty ships coming out to the West Indies to take home sugar! Well done and most interesting!

A Brief Conversation And Other Stories presents thirteen vivid short stories by award-winning author Earl Lovelace. This are fictional tales which offer a down-to-earth glimpse into the daily life Trinidad denizens. Ordinary people facing the challenges of the ever-changing rhythm of their world, brought to life with Caribbean zest and style in the narration. Superb crafted literary gems, the stories comprising A Brief Conversation And Other Stories include: A Brief Conversion; The Fire Eater's Journey; The Coward; The Fire Eater's Return; Call Me 'Miss Ross" for Now; Those Heavy Cakes; George and the Bicycle Pump; Fleurs; The Midnight Robber; Joebell and America; Shoemaker Arnold; Victoria and the Blight; and The Gambler's Funeral.

This is one of Chartrand's very best. Although he is confined to the small Osprey format it contains a huge amount of information which will not be found elsewhere. The Wars in the Carribean which were extremely important at the time are saddly overlooked today. No library on Napoleonic uniforms should be without this!

This book is for students but I found it easy to read and very interesting indeed. It gives you a good and balanced account of the development of early British settlement in Americas. Well worth reading and referring to.

From Back Cover:

"Columbus came to the British Virgin Islands - named them, in fact, for St. Ursula and her 11,000 virgin companions. So did Danes, Dutch, and Quakers, buccaneers, Spanish galleons and British warships. Now sailors still ply these waters in droves, for they are among the finest cruising grounds on the planet; divers and snorkelers revel in the crystal-clear waters; and land-based visitors enjoy a laid-back island lifestyle in the near-perfect year-round climate."

Ms. Colli sure knows the territory. FABULOUS.

As a frequent and longtime visitor to the Caribbean island of St. Maarten, I have come to love the culture and history of its very interesting people which is slowly becoming lost to the increasing hotel, timeshare, tourist business development.
Through native island writers such as Lasana Sedou, many customs and traditions will not be forgotten and their important place in this ever evolving and lovely island will be secured. Each short story in this collection speaks to days gone by that, surprisingly, one can find in various cul de sacs and in the hearts of many St. Maartiners.
I thoroughly enjoyed and was deeply touched by Mr. Sekou's writings.

This book is an invaluable collection of Caribbean rings games, documenting traditions that are slowing fading away under the crush of North American pop culture. It is a cherished resource for my wife, who grew up in Dominica playing many of these games and now teaches them as part of her dance classes in Ohio. Anyone who buys this book must also get the companion CD from Rounder Records.