Martinez Books

This two-volume work (vol 1 on the solar system, vol 2 on everything else) is indispensible in learning how to make scientifically useful observations with modest or expensive equipment. Comprised of separate articles on specific subjects, like "Spectroscopy", "Double Stars", "Jupiter", or "Photometry", each section delves deeply into how to make accessories or observations that are of scientific value. It is incredibly detailed. My only detraction is that the text is translated from the French and once in a while the text can be confusing (especially the description of the "V" micrometer in the double star section which, in my opinion, is nearly unintelligible).

If you ever wondered if organic farming can really be as productive as chemical farming, or if it is really better for the environment, then read this book. The author manages to include a lot of scientific data and theory, yet keep everything readable and entertaining, and it will convince you. Beyond addressing the organic farming debate, the book tells the fascinating story of how coffee is grown, and of the indigenous people who grow it. This would be an excellent text for college courses, and also for graduate seminars.

This is a very insightful book that presents the historical and social factors that have contributed to the rise of organized crime in the United States. It is unfortunate that the book was published in Canada and written by a British author; however, it shows the extent of the controversy surrounding this subject. This book reveals that more than ethnic based 'imported'' criminal organizations, what has passed off for organized crime or 'mafia' in The United States is a phenomenon, which was related to and often encouraged, directly and indirectly, by the very government form exploitation of natives, Africans and working peoples in general. More significantly, the prohibitions that pandered to the 'puritanical' element in society such as the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920's and the current 'war on drugs' have actually encouraged criminal behavior. The criminal element is then succeded by a network of official corruption and so called regulation, which leads to the creation of so called legitimate businesses. Woodiwiss also shows that the very criminal justice system was set up to punish certain criomes more vehemently than others. There are interesting examples, which he brings up from the New York Triangle fire that then led to the honoring of Woman's Day to the Sacco and Vanzetti case. It is not an easy book to read, in that the style is academic and at times very detailed. This is not meant to be an entertaining account; however, it gives an unprecedented analysis of organized crime starting form the pre-Civil War period and covers all kinds of corruption. I would not be surprised if Martin Scorsese read this book while making his film "Gangs of New York", as when I saw that film this acadmic and dry but valuable book came to life. I would also reccomend reading Eric Schlosser's "fast Food Nation" and "Reefer Madness" as they are excellent complementary - and more entertaining - volumes to this text.

Written completely in Spanish. José Martínez de Sousa is a Spanish linguist of the highest rank. He covers every conceivable aspect of Spanish orthography (spelling) in a detailed and technical way. And he makes no apologies for either his copious details or his technical terminology. (The writing for me is very understandable because I am a fellow linguist). This book is not for the faint-hearted or the light of wallet-it costs $80.00. If you would like to learn ALL the rules for Spanish spelling in one source, this is it-you will need no other. I loved the many examples that he inserts. Sr. Martínez de Sousa cites not only the Royal Spanish Academy but also distinguished Spanish writers across the centuries. He sometimes does not agree with the ideas of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) and explains fully why (he explains everything fully). I love this book and do not regret the $80.00 that I paid for it.

This hard cover book is an amazing item to either purchase and give as a gift to somebody who loves to travel and has never been in Argentina, or as a focal point in a coffee table or side table.
Inside, the images bring the best of the Patagonia: Its desert areas, glaciares, woods; it shows a side of Argentina that not every body has the pleassure of knowing. I was born and raised in Argentina and I've never been there.
If you are interested in still nature photogrphy, this is a great book for you.
Something to look forward to and to be surprised at every turn of the page.

EXCELLENT CHOICE, VERY INTERESTING AND ONLY GOT BETTER AS I READ ABOUT PEDRO. VERY INFORMING MATERIAL THAT KEEP ME INTERESTED FROM START TO FINISH. HOPE TO READ MORE OF YOUR MATERIAL IN THE NEAR FUTURE,YOUR BOOK WAS BETER THAN MOST OF THE STORIES I HAVE READ IN SPORTS ILLUSTRATED KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THE NUZZO FAMILY

Martinez here summarizes the literature on bateyes and the Dominican sugar industry, which is primarily in Spanish or unavailable to audiences in the US.

There are other books that deal directly with immigration from Haiti from a political, human rights, or folklore perspective. This book explains the mechanics of haitian immigration to bateyes and relates it to the body of theory about immigration and transnationalism. It's a narrow subject, but if you, like me, have a strong connection to the rural poor of the eastern half of a small island relatively close to Miami, or if you are interested in immigration as a social phenomena, you should find this to be fascinating reading. The key questions for him are about who immigrates to the DR and why.

If the subject of migration theory doesn't really excite you, but you're still interested in Haitian cane cutters in the DR, the bibliography will be immensely useful for you in assembling your own study. Kicks journalistic interpretations (c.f. Michelle Wucker) in the pants, and short of sitting in the library of El Museo Del Hombre Dominicano in Santo Domingo, it's probably the best place to start if you want to understand bateyes and a bit of the context of Haitian labor in the DR.

The authors, experts in their research fields, have produced a magnificent text book, which has filled an important gap. The information contained in the book and the approach of the different subjects are first rate and refreshing. I recommend this book to all those who want to have a stimulating and an indepth reading of such an important field within the biological sciences.

Esta novela revela aspectos y conocimientos acerca de la vida de Pitagoras de Samos, quien es famoso por el teorema. Sin embargo aqui se revela claramente que su aportacion a la humanidad es muchisimo mas grande, puesto que revela aspectos maravillosos acerca de sus estudios y de la escuela filosofica.
Lo recomiendo ampliamente porque nos ayuda a entender cual es el proposito de nuestro paso por este mundo y estoy seguro que nos invita a la reflexion.
Me imresiona espcialmente la Historia de Man?s, adem?s de que es una excelente alegor?a de nuestro mundo.
La vida de Pit?goras trasmite el ciclo continuo de la humanidad y nos permite comprender el destino de las escuelas inici?ticas y del fin al que est?n destinados los grandes maestros.

Poncià Vicenzo is the first novel by the Afro-Brazilian poet, Conceição Evaristo. And thanks to Paloma Martinez-Cruz, English readers can now have the opportunity to savor this beautiful novel that is not only an attestation of Evaristo brilliant skills as a poet but also as a novelist.

The novel focuses on Poncià Vicenzo, her mother, Maria and her brother Luandi José, all Afro-Brazlians who in order to survive are forced to deal with several oppressions in Brazil pertaining to race, class and gender. (It was quite interesting to learn from my own research that the largest population of black origin outside of Africa resides in Brazil.)
In the introduction, Paloma Martinez-Cruz mentions that "the novel illuminates aspects of urban and rural Latin America conditions with poetic eloquence and raw urgency," and this just about sums it all up from the very opening pages until its ending.

Our principal character, Poncià Vicenzo was brought up in a family where Catholicism and African spirituality are combined to bring about a hybrid system of beliefs called Candomblé. It is this combination that is an intricate part of Poncià's personality as well as the novel's story as we follow her journey from the land of her enslaved ancestors to the difficulties she encounters when she leaves her mother and brother and moves to the city. Unfortunately the same misery that existed prior to her departure continues, however, only now the squalor of the countryside is replaced with violence and indignities of the Brazilian shanty towns.

No doubt, Conceição Evaristo has a deep connection to Poncià Vicenzo, as she likewise was born and grew up in a large slum in Belo Horizonte and this probably explains how her writing demonstrates a deft accuracy in its tone and execution. Scenes and descriptions are delivered in a kind of film-like quality as the author zooms in and out of each moment describing the inner feelings of our principal character.

Poncià Vicenzo is a superb work and its creativity arises in no small measure to Evaristo's writing talents where her words are carefully and meticulously chosen in a way that mirrors the realness of the world her heroine resides in leaving us sated yet we desire more.

Norm Goldman, Editor Bookpleasures.