Caribbean Books

For some time America's international "war on drugs" has looked like a loser. We have a small shelf of good studies that explain why it isn't having any lasting effect on limiting the drugs reaching U.S. streets. Here at last is a book that tells the other side of the story - the consequences of that war for the supplier countries.

In Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, and the Caribbean it provides insightful, thoroughly-documented research on the "collateral damage" to fragile democracies and the environment caused by U.S. and national anti-drug policies. This is sober, careful analysis, not simplistic outrage. The different authors - from the region and the U.S. - know these countries from up close. They take seriously the problem of illegal drugs for these countries (and the U.S.) and weigh, for example, the differential effects of police, military and judicial approaches. The reader comes away with a good sense of the overall picture but also of the specific national contexts.

This book is also an illuminating point of entry to anyone interested more generally in how U.S. policy is made and its consequences on the ground, away from the headlines. It provides detailed information on all U.S. laws, agencies, and funding relating to drug control in Latin America, with separate chapters on military and police assistance for the region and a final chapter that, in Washington fashion, pulls together concrete, well-conceived recommendations for policy.

Since Ronald Reagan declared illicit drugs a national security threat in 1986, the U.S. "war" against them in Latin America has escalated through four subsequent administrations. This two-decade policy exemplifies in several ways the broader militarization of U.S. foreign policy since the Cold War described by the Washington Post's Dana Priest in "The Mission" - the same penchant to confront complex issues abroad with military means in policies increasingly shielded from congressional scrutiny and public view. This impressive analysis of drugs and democracy in Latin America - the older sibling of the current "war on terror" - will be sobering reading for anyone concerned about what this new global war portends.

"How did the Cuban revolution come about? Why does it represent, as Joseph Hansen put it, an 'unbearable challenge' to U.S. imperialism? What are the political challenges it has confronted? Why are the lessons of this living revolution of decisive and lasting importance for workers and farmers around the world?

"For over three decades the revolution that opened the socialist revolution in the Americas has served as an example to fighters everywhere. Refusing to yield under relentless economic, political, and military pressure by Washington, Cuba's working people have continued to advance the internationalist perspective of building socialism. Answering the call of fellow fighters around the world, they have shed their blood in struggles by toilers from Latin America to the Middle East to southern Africa" (from the back cover).

Leonel Rugama is a legendary poet among the prolific lineage of Nicaraguan poets (there are probably more published poets per capita in Nicaragua than any other country in the world)., this bi-lingual book is comprised of his complete writings, 139 pages of mostly poetry, as well as memories of Rugama by his mother and his comrade-in-arms Omar Cabezas. The life and writings of Leonel Rugama do indeed conjure such words as "legendary", "mythical", and "mystery". He was killed on January 15, 1970 at the age of not quite 21 while fighting Somoza's national guard with three comrades. He had written his own epitaph, a poem entitled "Epitaph", (two poems entitled "Epitaph", in fact; one is dated 1969, the other is dated november/december 1969). The poet is also the subject of poetry; he his portrayed in Ernesto Cardenal's "Oraculo sobre Managua". This book is the work of one of the important poets of the Sandinista generation in Nicaragua (a country that, as I said, produces generation after generation of poets). The poems are peopled by the poorest of the poor in Nicaragua. "Como los santos" ("Like the saints") is a direct and intimate dialogue with the Nicaraguan poor, in a Spanish very much, I assume, of the `hoods of Managua and Leon (I can't find half the words in this poem in any of my 3 Spanish/English dictionaries). Is Rugama's poetry not only "about" but also "of" the barrios, the `hoods, of the Nicaragua of the `60s and `70s? Well, in the book there is a photograph of 3 proletarian Nicaraguan laundry women standing in front of a Rugama poem spray-painted on a wall. Most, but not all of the poems are political, very much in the tone of revolutionary-as-religious-vocation (Rugama was also a seminarian who worked with the poor before he joined the Sandinista Front). But the poems certainly don't come off as political sloganeering, as is often complained of political poetry. This is very powerful, intense, original poetry. It does in fact live up to what you would expect of a poet who would prophetically die within months of most of these writings. Recommended.

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (1/07)

Every question you've ever had about cruising and quite a few you've never known how to ask will be answered if you take the time to read this marvelously comprehensive guide to cruising the Caribbean, Hawaii, New England, Alaska and Europe. Corey Sandler's "Econoguide® Cruises" is a wonderfully informative guide to choosing, booking and enjoying the perfect cruise vacation.

The book starts with tips on "How to Choose a Cruise" (including extremely valuable information on how to get the best possible rate), "How Big is BIG?" (great tips on whether bigger is better and when is a new ship better than an old classics), "Where in the World Do You Want to Go?" (with practical tips on ports of call and ports of embarkation and more), "How to Buy a Cruise" (choice of travel agent, need for insurance, best way to pay for cruise) and "Your Home on the Water" (how to choose the cabin).

The following sections deal with the life on board - including very detailed descriptions of possible expenses on board and how to best deal with them, safety at sea, dining on the high seas (including my all-time favorite cruise advice on a sensible dining strategy - Don't be afraid to skip a meal. Missing an occasional breakfast or lunch won't kill you.), getting to the port on time (very, very important - you definitely do not want to wave good-bye to your ship leaving without you!) and the "Before You Set Sail" section (valuable advice on what to pack, tips on paperwork and passports, medical needs and personal supplies, cameras, arriving at the pier, boarding, immigration and customs information and lifeboat drills).

This practical part is followed by wonderfully entertaining and informative cruise diaries from 13 different cruises. While amusing reading in themselves, they also offer additional insights into the life on board of different ships. They should also make you want to experience each and every one of those voyages.

The last part of the book deals with cruise line ratings, ownership, description of different cruise lines, several ships and even the history of cruising. And to make your next cruise even better, the author included a glossary, so you won't act like a total landlubber and stagger around looking for starboard without the slightest idea what that might be.

Engaging, informative and truly practical, "Econoguide® Cruises" is an ideal companion for anybody wanting to learn more about cruising and eager to choose the most suitable cruise as well as get the best deal possible booking it and enjoying the activities both on board and in the ports of call. The author's down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach will definitely make your next cruise experience a much better one.

Although listed as "out of print" by the distributor (University of Texas Press), there are still copies of this book for sale at the Institute for Mesoamerican Studies (ims@albany.edu).

Gloomwing Review by David W. Hoffman - Author
Dr. Peter Hitchen's Education and Multi-Culturial Cohesion in the Caribbean: The Case of Belize, 1931-1981 presents an interesting perspective on the history of Belize and its peoples. To better understand the significance of this thesis I did a search on Amazon for other history books on the subject of the Caribbean and in particular Belize. I found little that the public can easily obtain and I found this a bit disturbing. Every person, in every country, has the right to have their history recorded and easily accessible, especially in this day and age with the power of the Internet available to nearly everyone.
Taking this into account the information presented in Dr. Hitchen's book is invaluable to anyone researching the history of the Caribbean or in particular Belize. In fact, there is so much information presented that this reviewer found it hard to digest it all.
The book begins by referencing events between 1838 -1931 to help build historical context for the events following 1931. Thereafter the era between 1931 and 1981 is focused on, bringing into forefront the effects of the lacking education system, conflict between church and state, the impact of "The Great Hurricane" of 1931, and finally the independence of Belize. What I found most interesting is the inclusion of excerpts from actual interviews Dr. Hitchen has conducted with citizens of Belize. This adds a touch of humanity beyond the typical historical book and helps to bring to life the history of Belize.
However, it is important to note that the level of writing demands a good vocabulary, Dr. Hitchen has included a glossary for the more obscure terms, and the complexity of the writing demands patience in sifting through the wealth of information presented. Moreover, I do believe this thesis is best suited to the college and graduate level student. But don't let this stop you from exploring the book if you have an interest in Belize, just be aware that you are purchasing a doctoral thesis and not a high school history book.
With the wealth of information contained in this thesis, the quality of writing, and presentation this reviewer has given the book five stars in nearly every category. If you have an interest in the history of the Caribbean or Belize then this book is well worth the investment.
(provided by the author) from the gloomwing website

This book clearly explains why Caribe is paradise. With so many pictures, one feels like is on a vacation. There are maps, excellent descriptions and the recipes! Lots of information that I thought was lost. Typical dishes and how they came to be. Plants and their uses. Cultures within the Caribean. Enough history to spike our curiosity. A must read before you visit and a must have if you live here. What a cookbook! Warning: Do not read this book if you are a local living overseas. This book will cause you to forget why you left and make you return home.

Este libro recoge la lucha armada que surge a principios del 1960 como una reacción a la traición de los verdaderos principios de la revolución cubana y su desviación hacia un sistema comunista y totalitario. La revolución cubana del 1959 surge por la necesidad de restablecer la constitución del los años 40, el sistema democrático y derrocar al dictador Fulgencio Batista el cual había llegado al poder mediante un golpe de estado.

El escritor abarca la lucha armada en todo su contesto pero especialmente hace un detalle más minucioso en la lucha clandestina y sus grupos armados, ya que el mismo fue protagonista activo de esa lucha clandestina, en contra del nuevo gobierno autocrático.

Muchos jóvenes que pertenecieron a grupos clandestinos armados en contra de la dictadura de Batista resumieron su lucha clandestina en contra de la nueva dictadura comunista, Esta lucha clandestina a principios de los años 60 fue mucho más activa y numerosa de lo que comúnmente se conoce. Grupos como el MRR (Movimiento de Recuperación Revolucionaria), S.A.C (Salvar A Cuba), MDC (Movimiento Demócrata Cristiano), la Triple A, Montecristi, Movimiento 30 de Noviembre, Movimiento Demócrata Martiano, FRD (Frente Revolucionario Democrático, Rescate Revolucionario y otros estuvieron activos luchando en contra el sistema totalitario hasta que estas organizaciones fueron poco a poco infiltradas y sus integrantes terminaron fusilados, con altas condenas penales o se vieron forzados a escapar al exilio.

Yo recomiendo este libro a todo aquel que este interesado en conocer esta faceta tan poco conocida de nuestra historia, pero especialmente a Cubanos como yo que fuimos adoctrinados dentro de ese sistema y creo que es nuestro deber el conocer a estos valientes visionarios que tan tempranamente fueron capases de comprender el carácter totalitario de ese sistema y dieron un paso al frente.

This is a great book for use in the bilingual classroom since it provides the same information in both Spanish and English.

Este es un libro tan completo que hace unos años era requerido como lectura obligada en los cursos de literatura en muchas escuelas de México. Es sumamente interesante dado que incluye a las corrientes mas representativas de la literatura latinoamericana como el boom y el realismo mágico. Es un libro excelente que con cuentos cortos nos presenta a los escritores clave de estas corrientes. Una lectura indispensable para quien desea introducirse en la literatura latinoamericana sin gastar una fortuna.