Caribbean Books

Ian Graham's intelligent and accessible biography of the great Mayanist Alfred Maudslay is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of archaeology in the Maya region. Graham helps you see the difficulty and cost, both financial and personal, that this kind of obsession creates, making Maudslay's work that much more compelling. The only downside (smile) to reading this book is that you may be forced (forced!) as I was, to find a decent and expensive copy of the Maudslay archaeology volumes of Biologia Centrali-Americana, which becomes a must-have, once you've read Graham.

A long overdue biography of the great mayanist traveller, explorer and early archaeologist. Graham does a good job of weaving together information from personal interviews, letters, journals and notes. I found it a highly readable and informative account of his life and accomplishments. It lends a human touch to a name which comes up over and over in reading on the ancient Maya. It also provides a fascinating early travelogue of central america 50 years after Stephens and Catherwood. Graham has a keen appreciation of the challenges Maudslay faced in his self appointed task of recording as many mayan monuments and inscriptions as he could, a career path which indeed echoes his own.

Morgan's story is almost too amazing to believe. A hapless soul with nothing to lose -- kicked out of schools and dishonorably discharged from the army -- washes up in Cuba and within months becomes a Cuban national hero?! This gringo didn't even speak Spanish and now (thanks to this book) has a legitimate claim to being properly recognized as one of the genuine heroes of the Cuban revolution. Just look at the cover with this dropout from Ohio walking arm-in-arm with Che and Castro.

This is a wonderful story of charisma, good timing, and derring-do -- and how someone really can have a second act in life. And what a second act: a drifter morphing into a central player on the international stage. The book offers a lot of color on the "peripheral characters" in Morgan's story, like Castro (a closet Communist at the time), the NY Times mischief-maker Herbert Matthews, and the ruthless Dominican dictator, Rafael Trujillo.

The book shares Morgan's charisma and good timing. It's fun, runs fast, and is full of endearing details to make you fall in love with the guy. Timingwise, it's perfect. The old timers who know what really happened were muzzled by Castro for the last fifty years. They're (mostly) not dead yet, but old enough to spill their guts without fear of retribution. Shetterly does a nice job of getting them to talk, which makes all the difference in this charming story of a forgotten/censored corner of US and Cuban history.

There is no shortage of biographies on historical figures. Year after year, we're inundated with new editions on Kennedy and King, Lincoln and Leonardo da Vinci, each purporting to shine a new light on the great individual and their role in history. However, it's often the stories of people who have been lost to history that truly bring the particulars of a certain era into sharp focus. Such is the case with Aran Shetterly's The Americano, the story of William Morgan, a man from Toledo who fought alongside the rebels in the Cuban revolution.

A misfit whose taste for adventure was way bigger than the middle American sensibilities of his native Toledo, William Morgan, after years of mixing it up with small time hoodlums and a troublesome stint in the US Army, finds his way to Cuba, where he enlists with the rebel group the Second National Front of the Escambray. Within months, The Americano, as he is affectionately christened by his new comrades, is one of the unit's leaders, and on his way to becoming one of the central figures in the revolution and a Cuban celebrity.

Morgan rubs shoulders with all of the well-known usual suspects: the Cuban dictator Batista and the Dominican dictator Trujillo, the Argentine rebel commander Che Guevara, Ernest Hemingway, J. Edgar Hoover and the "jefe" himself, Fidel Castro. Shetterly delivers all of the requisite historical detail--names and roles of characters from important to incidental, all the relevant dates and locations, geopolitical backstory--but locates it all within a narrative that is as compelling and cinematic as any story I've read recently, fiction or non-fiction. By the time your come to the breathtaking ending--which somehow still feels like a surprise, even though it's previewed from the beginning--you're well-versed in the nuances of the Cuban story, *and* you've had one rollercoaster of a read.

Cubaphiles regardless of their persuasion will have a field day with this book, as it's exhaustively researched and offers the kind of detail that is usually found in more academic (read: boring) treatments of important moments in history. However, The Americano is so accessible and engaging that those of us with just a cursory knowledge of the history will turn the last page completely satisfied. Highly recommended!

An air headed relative of mine recommended that I read Anthony Winkler. Of course, I refused to read him. Then I went to the Calabash Literary Festival about four years ago and heard Anthony Winkler read from "Annihilation of Fish". I was mesmerized.

On reflection I can see how it is possible for him to appeal to, ahh... a diverse audience. A master story teller and hilarious to boot, Anthony Winkler is the quintessential entertainer. Someone with a taste for light fluff will enjoy him as much as someone who believes an author should actually say something.

And surprise, surprise... Anthony Winkler is a writer's writer; although I believe he would instinctively reject the innate snobbery of that statement.

I have read "The Great Yacht Race", "The Duppy", "Going Home to Teach" and "Dog War" since reading "Annihilation". "Yacht Race" did not work for me; too light and fluffy, despite the fact that the author tackled important subjects which are still considered unspeakable in polite Caribbean society (Incidentally, Mr. Winkler should have done better research about the way in which the legal system works; some of his statements were glaringly wrong. And there are whales in Caribbean waters. We, sadly, whale hunt in this part of the Caribbean).

The Duppy, was however, inspired. Anthony Winkler sneaks philosophical challenges into the novel so deftly that even the Bible thumpers may laugh too hard to notice. Going Home to teach is autobiographical. I read it while travelling to work on a ferry. I laughed so loudly and so frequently in that very public place that if a psychiatrist had been on board she would have offered me a free consultation. In my view, "Dog War", funny though it is, is largely a return to the light fluff genre; although again, Mr. Winkler chooses to tease the Christians in the most wickedly delightful manner.

Read Anthony Winkler, whether you want fluff, or something more substantial. You won't be disappointed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had previously read "the Lunatic" by this writer, and enjoyed that one tremendously also. It has now piqued my interest and I am on a quest to obtain all of Anthony Winker's books. Mr. Winkler captures the essence of the Jamaican soul, in all of his characters, and brings them to life with much hilarity.

La presente antología es un espejo bastante bueno para poder internarse en la poética de Latinoamérica. La gran cantidad de autores que aparecen, y el gran espectro de tiempo que cubre la obra hacen que esta antología sea una guía fundamental para recorrer la poesía en lengua castellana. La selección de los poemas que se hace de cada autor es significativa. Se elige lo mejor. En resumen, el borde de un lago al que se debe zambullir el mundo

This anthology is a very good mirror in which you can enter to the latinamerican poetry. The great number of authors that appear, and the huge spectrum of time that it's covered by this book makes this anthology a fundamental guide in order to travel through the poetry in spanish language. The selection of the poems of every author is very significative. To sun up, the edge of a lake in which the world must dive.

Lastimosamente pertenezco al grupo de las personas que considera la poesía increíblemente aburrida y esotérica. Nunca me puedo concentrar en seguir las ideas del autor y aún menos entenderlas. Este libro es para mi tanto la excepción como la regla. Si bien no pienso presumir que he entendido lo que Borges quería trasmitir en cada uno de sus poemas, si me fue posible concentrarme en ellos y dejarme sorprender por lo que evoca. Tal vez lo que me impacta es la completa ausencia de humor en cualquiera de ellos. Parece que la vida lo sorprende y angustia tanto que le es imposible burlarse de ella, cada línea esta impregnada de una devoción religiosa a algo. Como ese tipo de reuniones donde las personas se sienten tan importantes (por ejemplo los banqueros) que quien sonríe es sospechoso de algo - de que no se - pero de algo!

En otras palabras es claro que no estamos leyendo nada tonto ni sensiblero; es impactante y de alguna manera nos llama a despertarnos de la cotidianeidad pero tan denso que es difícil saborearlo. No es un libro para días de sol. En realidad solo debe ser abierto si esta dispuesto a que le digan una y otra vez que nada es lo que parece ser. Y tal línea de pensamiento no cuadra en aquellos momentos donde todo nos importa un jopo.

Es importante poder contar con una edicion que reuna la obra poetica de uno de los escritores mayores de la literatura hispanoamericana del siglo XX y de todos los tiempos. La edicion es excelente y por supuesto, los poemas tambien. Leer a Borges es indispensable para cualquiera que aspire a tener un minimo de cultura literaria en estos momentos.

Yes this book is smaller than the $1,500. Rizzoli book, but it has great reproductions and newer work that isn't in the other book. This is a MUST have for any Lopez Garcia fan.

Why so inexpensive when the Rizolli book is $500 - $1000!!! Size. This book is 6 3/4 by 8 1/4. I appreciate anything I can get on the artist, but the person who put this book together should be shot. Metaphorically.

This book stands out, among many others, for the quality of insight that Rebecca Stone-Miller brings to her study of Andean art. Not content with simple typology and iconography, her account is illuminated by the cultural constants - "duality, reciprocity, hierarchy, and embeddedness in nature" (p. 218) that she finds in the underlying Andean cultures. Art history, in these terms, becomes an exploration of meaning, both of the art that is produced and of the culture that produces it. It's rare to find so much insight in an introductory book; I highly recommend it.

Another strength of the book is the nicely-judged balance of attention that the author pays to the multitude of cultures (including the Chavin, Nasca, Moche, Wari, Tiwanaku, Chimu, and Inca, to name just some) that weave together into the Andean tapestry. The author also provides balanced coverage of all the arts -- metalwork, tapestry, featherwork, stone working, and architecture, in addition to the ever-popular ceramics (pottery).

With so much ground to cover, there are relatively few individual ceramic examples in the book; this unfortunately gives a too-restricted an idea of the range of form, beauty, and variety of Pre-Columbian pottery from South America. I recommend a book such as "Ceramics of Ancient Peru," by Christopher B. Donnan, as a supplement to Rebecca Stone-Miller's study.

A small number of errors have made it through the second edition. For example, the distance from Quito to Santiago is quoted as 3400 miles, rather than the correct 3400 kilometers. A bothersome number of specialized terms were left out of the index. A glossary would have been helpful, and one wishes that more of the photos had been printed in color rather than black and white.

In summary, "Art of the Andes" is a balanced and insightful survey that should appeal to a wide variety of readers. It's the kind of book that doesn't just sit on the shelf after one reading, but gets picked up again, thumbed through, and read more than once.

This is an excellent overview of native Andean artform the earliest perod through Chavin, Paracas, Nasca, Moche, Tiwanaku, Wari, to Incan. Covers architecture, textiles ,pottery and metallic arts. Looks at the main themes of religious and secular art in these various mediums. Text is accompanied by many black and white photographs, drawings and plans. Some photographs are in colour.

I found this work most interesting for the way it brings out the Andean worldview through the artistic artifacts remaining of those cultures. The work is also reasonably priced and up to date.

Explore the culture of the French Caribbean while experiencing its popular music is the invitation from Brenda F. Berrian in her seminal text, Awakening Spaces: French Caribbean Popular Songs, Music and Culture. Berrian gives the reader a comprehensive critique of the composers, singers, and production of music on the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. Berrian combines insightful scholarship with her joyous celebration of the artistry of the music makers. For lovers of this music, Awakening Spaces features all of the major players: the bands of Malavoi, Kassav', Taxikréol, Kwak, and Volt Face; the singers Joselyne Béroard, Patrick Saint Éloi, and Pôglo; the instrumentalists Jean-Paul Soime, Mario Canonge, and Mano Césaire; and versatile artists like Henri Guédon who excels as a composer, percussionist, and painter.

Berrian's book is a treasure trove of personal interviews with musicians and original transcriptions of song lyrics in French Creole and English. Awakening Spaces effectively bridges the past and present in Francophone Caribbean music for all lovers of music-be they exuberant fans of zouk or musicologists.

Well, when I first received this book in the mail for my review, I looked at the front and then the back cover and the first thing that came to mind is the phrase 'This I've got to see'. Why? Because this book discusses and analyzes in English, music from French West Indies sung primarily in Creole. Those of you who know Creole also know that is a very metaphoric, symbolic language that is sometimes difficult to decipher when you are not from a Creole background. To take the lyrics and deduct valid conclusions about the francophone culture would be no easy task. Well a couple of pages into the book, my qualms were put away, and I discovered a pleasant, vibrant book that covers such a broad range of topics: lyrics, politics, perception, tradition and culture all based on French Caribbean popular songs and music. The author Brenda F. Berrian, has taken the time to go deep into the scene of Martinique's and Guadeloupe's artistry with candid interviews, and lyrical analysis, all wrapped up neatly with her well thought out and researched interpretations and conclusions. The read was an enjoyable flirt with wonderful Creole songs, and to someone who is familiar with the music that is being showcased in the book, the book will be a ten-fold more enjoyable. Brenda's often-comical anecdotes at the beginning of each chapter are also a very nice touch. Over all, I'd recommend this book to those who have been to the French West Indies and have wondered what was being said and why. If you are a fan of Zouk music, Biguine, Ka, French Reggae; you'll especially want to pick this book up! Bravo Brenda on a job well done! I will write a more detailed review for the readers of www.zoukarchive.com. In the meantime definitely pick up this book!

I read this book for a research paper on Barbados, that I chose to write for an undergraduate anthropology class called Caribbean Ethnography. The book is written by Professor George Gmelch of Union College in Schenectady, NY. It is a very simple book with little to no anthropological analysis on the surface. However, upon completing this book you will realize Gmelch's perfect and unintentional introduction to the anthropology of everyday life. That is to say, the Gmelch gives us 20 snapshots of people working in the tourism industry in Barbados. Gmelch brings us, their jobs, their home lives, their concerns and the things that bring them joy.

Gmelch stumbles upon a fantastic way to introduce a culture. As I read this book (about 3 years ago, I am writing from memory which can only mean that this book was very good at leaving an impression), I thought that it would be great if other anthropologists and writers did this for each culture they study, as the lives of the people, their homes and concerns are surely one of the greatest insights into their culture.

This book is generally about tourism, specifically about Caribbean tourism and the country of Barbados. I gave this book to my mother for her to read, as she is a regular big-boat cruise traveler. She loved the book. She told me it brought her a better awareness to the happenings outside of the cruise ship bubble. She was not shot down from ever going on cruises again, but rather took more consideration into planing her cruise, ecologically, economically and culturally.

Item was as promised, good condition, fast shipping, good packaging. I'd buy from them again.

Lovely novel, Ms. Ho-Shing. You not only gave some interesting basic history of Jamaica, but you thoroughly exposed the social throwback mentality and behaviors from slavery. Anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of history and the social interactions of enslaved peoples raped and color thinned by the horny masters of their time would recognize how their actions have transformed the tiny island and its peoples. Although these social and physical rapes are not unique to Jamaica, being on an island in such close quarters to ones oppressor makes it difficult to cast off the mental shackles that continue to permeate the very soul of the people. Even worse, the silent allowance and acceptance of the rape of young girls is yet another layer that adds to the feeling of helplessness and mental slavery. It is clear that the people were raped of their spirit--physical rape, mental rape, religious rape, familial rape, emotional rape, intellectual rape...no stone was left unturned, as it has always been when it came to blacks enslaved. And the deep rooted self hate which pronounced itself through class and color (or shade) division was and still is clearly yet another symptom of that greater disease, slavery. They've taken the lessons of the masters (racism; bigotry and bias) and transformed them into their way of life, a life not typical to people of color from days gone by.

This is a very layered work that speaks to the issues from many angles, yet, gives some semblance of hope. It was interesting how you seemed to employ magical realism into your piece. It had the feel of Laura Esquivel and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. For others, it may not seem like magical realism, but more an introduction to the social (and historical) implications of obeah and how stories spread, stories that for all intents and purposes might have a reasonable explanation, but have developed a life of their own because of the simple way of thinking of the people who house within them a grand imagination--or, simply, a lack of ability to employ critical thinking that would allow them the means to consider a more scientific and practical explanation. An Occam's Razor explanation.

Fine work. And funny as hell. I was laughing throughout. Nice leverage for such a serious subject matter. You did well.

This is an epic tale, told in relatively few pages but packed with emotion, intrigue, revenge and redemption. Ms. Ho-Shing manages to convey the story of intertwined families, the history of a small island and an entire era into a power packed package of beautifully written prose.

I have many books on my table yet to read and might have skipped lightly through its pages, but Belladonna will have none of that type of reading. It demands your attention. When you start, be prepared to give it the concentration that it so richly deserves. Savor the characters and their journeys and you will find that your journey along with them is well worth the trip.