Mexico Books

Former District Attorney Luna Cruz, who left Crater County in disgrace after a humiliating recall vote, is given a second chance when she comes to the aid of legal secretary Jen Song, who is accused of killing her boss. Luna soon learns there is more to this case - and Jen than meets the eye.

Volcano Verdict takes you on a fast paced, action packed ride into the dark side of the law, with crooked cops, corrupt lawyers and a fallen heroine, trying to redeem herself. She is tempted by easy money, promises of power and death threats at every turn.

Gary A Wilson
Author -The Triangle & Sake of Time
Founder - The Independent Writer's Network

Edward Hobbs was an attorney, who was about to be disbarred for
transporting illegal drugs from across the border into America.
He pays a price of one-million dollars for freedom, but never realized
that wasn't enough. He was the boss of Jen Song, a legal secretary,
who was accused of killing him, and leaving his body on top of an
Albuquerque volcano. The fireworks were about to begin in Albuquerque
at the same time Jen falls, and cuts her hand on a sharp edge of
volcanic rock. The blood from her hand drips on the dead body of
Edward Hobbs, as she stares at the strangle marks on his neck, while
anticipating to make her first phone call. Jen becomes hysterical,
realizing that her dyslexia and Attention Deficit hyperactivity
Disorder were minor problems as compared to facing the gruesome
murder of her boss. During the impending investigation of Edward Hobbs,
former prosecutor Luna Cruz defends her only client, and friend,
Jen Song. The nightmare begins for Luna, while she uncovers a
conspiracy, involving lawyers and their connection to transporting
illegal drugs from across the border. The author creates a legal
thriller that becomes a masterpiece from his expertise in criminal
law through experience, combined with knowledge of the Southwest
detention centers. Jonathan Miller pulls no punches, while describing
the horror of a career in which he lives, and speaks pure truth as he
tells the story through reality. His unique background, keen sense of
humor, and detailed description of crime through the eyes of an insider,
makes quite an interesting read. There's never a dull moment, from the
beginning of an investigation of a brutal murder to the verdict. The
journey for Luna Cruz from Texas to Mexico adds more drama with a
twist and surprises, while she desperately attempts to put the
mysterious puzzle together, but the pieces don't fit. The dialogue
in this story is rich in color. The strange characters draw a picture of the Southwest detention centers, and
what goes on behind closed doors. A home for prisoners where there is
no mercy, whether your guilty, or possibly innocent. I would recommend
this book to all mystery lovers, who enjoy chilling stories that are
packed with drama. "Volcano Verdict" is as witty as "My Cousin Vinny."
Suspense blossoms like a flower throughout this thriller, as good as
it was in "Presumed Innocent." Jonathan Miller manages to light-up
the story, like fireworks on the fourth of July, and the volcano does
erupt!

Geri Ahearn, A.I.O.M.
Author of 6 books
Author Geri Ahearn, INC

I experienced such a dichotomy reading this book I scarcely know where to begin. As I wrestled with whether to give this review three or four stars I considered the pros and the cons of Jonathan Miller's well-written legal thriller, VOLCANO VERDICT.

Pros: Miller's writing flows fluidly and easily; even better, his writing style reflects a great deal of wit and a keen sense of humor. This makes for a very fun read. Miller is a criminal attorney, and his expertise comes through time after time, whether his characters attend hearings or file motions or issue subpoenas. And it's readily apparent Miller very much enjoys and appreciates Albuquerque and the Land of Enchantment.

Cons: There are numerous typos and other errors; this book is in dire need of a competent editor (not so cool, Cool Publishing). Some of the scenes are confusing, whether it be character placement or point of view. The book's protagonists, attorney Luna Cruz and her sidekick, Jen Song, sometimes say and do very masculine things (which points out the obvious; the author is a male). In the book's climactic scene, Luna doesn't resolve her own conflict--extenuating circumstances resolve it for her. And finally, there were a couple of other issues as the story concluded that really bugged me.

Miller has terrific talent; I look forward to reading his next book. VOLCANO VERDICT is a fun ride, warts or no warts.
--D. Mikels, Author, Walk-On

Knocked my socks off - a super story, packed with surprises and twists - and, because the legal angle ran surreptitiously in the background, it didn't labour or get bogged down.

Forget the Grisham thing - Jonathan Miller has placed himself as a serious rival to Harlan Coben.

Great stuff, looking forward to picking up my next one.

I began reading this wonderful book the day I brought it home and was so excited by it that I finished it the very next day. I love it, and in so many dimensions. I think it is wonderfully evocative of Darwin's close attention to the wide range of natural phenomenon which he encountered and his willingness to put it all together in such an innovative way - but only when nature thrust itself into his vision (thus, the ingenious use of clues from Rosie, Darwin's imaginary beetle friend). In my passion for all things Galapagos (I have been there more than once), I read the Voyage of the Beagle a couple of years ago, and this book reminded me vividly of some of the most fascinating and memorable parts of his voyage. I also love the book because I have an interest in writing for children, and appreciate how this rich and scientifically sound text makes the concepts of evolution so very approachable and inviting to this audience.

I think there is a paucity of books for children related to the Galapagos and Darwin and, given the increasing number of tourists with children going to the islands, I think this book should be recommended reading for families headed for Ecuador.

We received this book around Thanksgiving and cannot stop reading it! My son's interest in science has only increased since reading this book and we both adore the illustrations. I hope for more young adult literature from this author!

Traveling the globe with Charles Darwin and his beetle companion Rosie, the reader joins them in an adventure that evokes wonder and curiosity. The friendly narrative and vibrant illustrations guide us along a rich educational experience. As we become detectives and join Darwin in his search for clues we also learn about geography, the animal world, history, and finally the theory of natural selection. This refreshing book is a must for all young people and adults curious about the mysteries of life!

This is an engaging story of the incredible voyage of Charles Darwin that is both adventure story and a fresh look at the world around us. At first blush it is a humorous account of a wise beetle leading the enthusiastic Darwin from discovery to discovery, describing key encounters in his 5-year voyage. But it also leads the reader to consider one of the great scientific theories of our time - how things come to be through natural selection. The clever use of Rosie keeps the pace light and accessible to many age levels without sacrificing intellectual integrity. Lawrence's lush illustrations are beautiful and Weaver's affectionate presentation of Darwin reveal the human side of Charles with a rich factual background. A very engaging read!

The Chachapoya, or Cloud People, created a complex civilization in the upper Amazon of northern Peru in the terrain separating the Marañon and Huallaga basins. Keith Muscutt spent over 20 years studying the civilization. His book is a treasure of careful and vivid writing, enhanced by wonderful photographs of a breathtaking landscape.

The Chachapoya were conquered by the Inca around A.D. 1475, and shortly thereafter were decimated by Spanish colonial rule. Pedro Cieza de León described the Chachapoyas: "They are the whitest and most handsome of all the people that I have seen in Indies, and their wives were so beautiful that because of their gentleness, many of them deserved to be the Incas' wives and to also be taken to the Sun Temple .... The women and their husbands always dressed in woolen clothes and in their heads they wear their llautos, which are a sign they wear to be known everywhere."

Descendants of these people still live in the region amid the ruins. Muscutt offers splendid color plates of cliff-side tombs mixed with photographs of modern-day village life. His photos also capture the forest-choked valleys, high-altitude lakes, and orchid-studded vegetation.

Vincent Lee's maps of of Vira Vira are excellent. The bibliography, compiled by Douglas Sharon and Muscutt, is first rate. Muscatt traces some of the life of Benigno Añazco, who spent 36 years deep in the Andean forest, founded 14 settlements, abandoned his wife and many children, married one of his daughters, killed his son-in-law, fought drug peddlers, and sought to re-establish the Inca Empire.

According to chachapoyas.com , a website devoted to this book, Keith Muscutt is Assistant Dean of the Arts at the University of California, Santa Cruz. A native of England, he has traveled widely in the United States, Mexico, and Peru, photographing and writing articles about rock art and pre-Columbian remains. He is the founder of the Fundación Benéfica Niños de Chuquibamba, which promotes the health and education of children in the remote Andean village shown on the cover of this book.

Although the book is ten years old, nothing seems to have supplanted it for a student of the Chachapoyas.

Robert C. Ross 2008

This was an extremely well researched and fascinating book to read. Having been to Machu Picchu myself I was totally absorbed in this other ancient Peruvian culture. A must read for all archaelogy enthusiasts!

I was looking for information on Machu Picchu, when I came across this gem. The cover stirred up fantasies of Shangrila. I was intrigued, ordered it, and was delighted.This is a photographic exploration of Kuelap, a mysterious citadel in the high Andes, discovered seventy years before Machu Picchu. The Chachapoya, or Cloud People (understandably so-called) were the inahabitants of this remote and inaccessible area.Keith Muscutt has provided a detailed and interesting text to accompany this visual feast. He photographs the present inhabitants of the region, supposedly the ancestors of the builders of Kuelap. Perhaps or perhaps not, but interesting anyway.The photographs of tombs built vertically in the cliff side are indescribable. All in all I highly recommend this, whether the interest is information or pleasure. Both are to be found in these pages. Thorough and interesting and visually beautiful.

One of the world's greatest civilizations was the Incan civilization. The Incas settled in Western South America, along the Andes range. This civilization was very similar to the Great Aztec Civilization. The Incas had adapted to their environment. They built terrraces and were skillful builders. Find out how the Great civilization adapted to their environment and how they were conquered by Pizarro's trickery...

Essentially this book gives a chapter for each of the 22 cards of the major arcana of the tarot, similarities are then made with the 22 Lamatl's of `The Book of Days' or the `Tonalamatl' of the Aztecs; correspondence is further made with the deities of Mesoamerica and also with classical European Mythology.

"The tonalamatl is a divinatory almanac used in central Mexico in the decades, and perhaps centuries, leading up to the Spanish conquest. It is Nahuatl in origin, meaning "pages of days". The tonalamatl was structured around the sacred 260-day year, the tonalpohualli. This 260-day year consisted of 20 trecena of 13 days each. Each page of a tonalamatl represented one trecena, and was adorned with a painting of that trecena's reigning deity and decorated with the 13 day-signs and 13 other glyphs. These day-signs and glyphs were used to cast horoscopes and discern the future. The best surviving examples of tonalamatl are the Codex Borbonicus and the Codex Borgia." (From Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia). It should be noted that there are apparently 2 additional trecena's reported by the author of this book; this then makes 22 trecena's, corresponding with the major arcana of the tarot.

I was glad for reading this book to further increase my knowledge of the tarot. My knowledge regarding Mesoamerican deities was fairly limited, so this information I also found very useful. On many occasions while reading this book, I wanted to put this book down and come up to speed via reading more about the Mesoamerican deities and the classical European Mythology (i.e. the Iliad and Odyssey etc); I would recommend doing this prior to reading this book, assuming you have the time. The connections that the author was trying to convey did not always match up for me; perhaps this was due to the gaps in knowledge on my part. Still I did learn a bunch of stuff even though I found this book a little hard going due to its dry nature. What made this book more difficult was trying to pronounce the Mesoamerican deity names and then trying to remember what these deities did in addition. I can't see why anyone would want to read a book like this but for a deep desire to know about spiritual matters. You've got to also wonder why this book is selling as low as it is on Amazon. Still I'm thankful to the author for all her hard work and for compiling all of this information; I have gained from reading this book.

I can't say that I'd use this book to say that all religions are essentially the same. I don't think that this was the intention of this book. I saw more that there is a deep esoteric undercurrent to be discovered.

This book is apparently complicated but in fact is quite simple: underneath the dogma and ceremony, all religions are the same. They have in common a need for answers but also a need for questions that lend themselves to lessons in morality, cautionary tales, structures of ethics that permit the fine fabric of law and society. And furthermore, the societies we think of as primitive are anything but that. Each culture devises a standard of values and behavior, that is essentially like every other culture. A valuable book, a fascinating and provocative one, as applicable as a textbook as a bedside reference source.

The thread that binds cultures is stronger and more firm than most people think. Complicating beliefs in order to make them seem original has nothing to do with their essence. Underneath it all they spring from a common source, with an extraordinary parallelism. God is God, no matter by what name. All of that and more is embraced by this amazing book, beautifully written, thought-provoking, a reference source for a lifetime of consultation. Highly recommended.

This book is a fantastic read - it's passionate, poignant and well written. The research done to write it is obviously extensive and thorough - Carol Miller certainly did her homework! even though the subject is highly intellectual, it's an easy read - great for a flight or a trip to the beach.

I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this unusual book and highly recommend it.

What an unusual book! I thought it was a travel book, and since I love anything about Mexico, I picked it up. But it's MUCH MORE than the usual travel journal... so personal and intimate, also funny and insightful. If you're going to Mexico, take along this book. Or stay home and take the trip from the comfort of your own couch. (I doubt anyone else would ever have a honeymoon like they did, anyway. Pretty fun, doing it vicariously!)

This is a completely magnificent book. Get it! Give it to your loved ones! Totally brilliant, romantic, a fun and enlightening read. The art is also waaaaaay cool.

The back of the book calls this "a visionary travel journal of poetic prose." No kidding! It's all that, and more. I felt like a voyeur hiding inside the mind of author Nelson Gary -- secretly watching all the mystical, intimate details of this incredible honeymoon in Mexico. What a trip! (In every sense of the expression!) The book even FEELS good -- with a gorgeous embossed cover that introduces the "day of the dead" images cleverly carried throughout the book. In fact, the artwork and design of this book, (done by Darrin Brenner Rolat -- what else has she done? She's amazing!) is worth the price of the book! Can you tell that I LOVE THIS BOOK? It's fun to read and amazing to look at. All my friends want to borrow my copy -- so I'm buying a stack to give as holiday gifts.(I don't want to share mine!). God what I'd give to meet the author and find out if he's as cool in person as in print!

The food is great, recipes easy enough to follow, and style engaging. She conveys the cultural and geographical background of what is being cooked, which make the reading fun.

If you think Mexican cooking is all refried beans and tacos, think again. This book will introduce you to the coastal cuisine of Veracruz, where Spanish, Caribbean, and Mediterranean influences all can be found. A long introduction to the region, cooking, and people of Veracruz precede the recipes, which include everything from appetizers and small plates to dessets, beverages, rice and of course seafood and meat.

Some dishes are simplicity themselves, such as the wonderful Peppered Shrimp. Others are much more involved and complicated, such as the Stuffed Boned Chicken Legs. Still, if you are truly interested in learning about a wonderful and often overlooked cuisine, there is no better Mexican cookbook I've found yet that contained so many delicious and different recipes. Highly recommended.

From simple to more complicated, this book takes the reader into fine Mexican cooking. I enjoy reading it for the fun of it as well as for finding practical meals.

Mexican chef and New York restaurateur, Zarela has very decided and exacting ideas about food. She came late to the cuisine of coastal Veracruz, thinking it too touristy and modern for her taste. But she has come to love the place and opens her book with a culinary driving tour of the region, discussing terrain, local ingredients and the best restaurants. The recipes make plentiful use of seafood, various chilies, corn, beans, tomatoes, citrus and avocado.

From Almond Soup to Shrimp Salad to Totonac-Style Beans with Pumpkin Seeds to Shredded Chicken in Blackberry Liqueur Sauce, Zarela insists on fresh herbs, painstaking preparations and the finest ingredients (which she often laments of finding in the U.S.). Dishes range from simple to elaborate (more time-consuming than complicated); the photographs of the region and the food are beautiful, and Zarela's directions are clear. This is Mexican food at its finest.

I bought this book when I started collecting Canadian commemorative dollars and the book has been a big help providing information like mintage figures, images of the coins, and prices. It also gives the sizes in mm for the different coins which makes ordering albums or holders a lot easier.
I would recommend this book to beginners and long term collectors a like if they are buying Canadian or Mexican coins. I have several other world coin books and this book provides more useful information and is easy to follow.
I just finished a US modern commemorative collection and I wish I had had this book when I was buying coins for that. The pricing of the coins in this set aren't correct in this book but the other information is valuable.

I have ordered this book year after year for my dad for several years. This year he told me that the book has more information about the mexican coins, in fact, he order several books for all his friends.

If you had an older edition or you are interested in mexican coins, you should buy this book.

Terrific little book, I use it all the time. If you have been collecting coins for years then you may not need this book but you are going to want it. It catalogs all (as the title suggests) the North American Coins (U.S., Canada & Mexico). On the other hand if you are just getting started in coin collecting then this book is an essential. Either way, it's well written and accurate, enough said.

A beautifully bright book, each page displaying an original Oaxacan Woodcarving by the Jimenez family in Mexico. The whole family works through the entire process of completing each individual piece and the outcome are incredible, stylized, creatures that kids will not keep their eyes off! Every page consists of a picture of one of these Oaxacan animals, and a different letter of the alphabet. The craftsmanship would not be better, and the book itself is made with extremely high quality. Turning the pages it is so easy to see that every creature is a complete work of art.

Children love the two languages that the animal's names are written in, my children (ages 2 and 4) repeat the English and Spanish animal ABC's right along with me every time. We have had this book for a week and they consistently have chosen it and want to "say" the animals- and tell me their favourites (over and over) again! You cannot go wrong with this book, I would even use it for babies as the pages are so incredibly coloured and bright I think they would love it, but it would be easiest for my kids probably between the ages of 1-5 to be completely taken by it. It almost feels like it is sunny outside, when here in Oregon all it is doing is rain. Looking at the pages, the colours lift you up and carry you to a much brighter imaginary place.

Always on the lookout for excellent children's books for my elementary school's library, I found this one at our public library and was immediately drawn to it by the colors. Each letter of the alphabet has a figurine of a handmade creature that begins with the letter in both English and Spanish (not all animals' names do so). I showed this to our Spanish teacher, who was very excited about the book, too. She commented that it would also give her an opportunity to use the "color" words. The paper is heavier than the usual ABC book, and it looks like it will hold up well for our "industrial use"!
Adios, Amigo!

ABeCedarios is a bilingual English/Spanish ABC book featuring photography of stunningly beautiful carved wooden figures of animals, done in the Oaxacan tradition by sculptors Moises and Armando Jimenez. There is a carved animal for each letter of the alphabet (including the letters unique to the Spanish alphabet, such as n with a tilde), in this colorful and inventive way for teaching a young child their ABCs. Highly recommended; even adults will enjoy lingering over the unique animal artistry.

Robert Cameron's books are always first rate and this one is no exception, I think it is one of his best, I was so pleasantly surprised to see him produce another book because of his age, but with the help of his partner he has produced an awesome book. This book highlights the most familiar parts of Mexico City and some that may not be as familiar, all with the most incredible arial photography. The images are crisp and just jump off the page. If you have any interest in Mexico City or just love great photograph quite frankly, then you will love this book. Thank you Mr. Cameron for another top notch book, you are the benchmark in arial photography of this kind. Uh, now how about a city it Texas, Houston?, Dallas?, we'd love to have you capture us, with your unique talent, here's to your continued good health.

This is the first book of aerial photography on Mexico City. Bob Cameron and Herb Lingl have done an outstanding work, especially that Mexico City skies are mostly highly cloudy and gray with smog and pollution. They captured extradordinary moments of clear and blue skies of Mexico City and vecinity. They have photographed unusual places and almost unknown and secrets spaces even for Mexico City natives. There are photos that in many years of visiting and touring so many places of the City I really never could see as well as in this magnificent book. This historical bool also shows old moments of the this great City and the new developments of its modernity. If you want to get a realistic and creative approach to this latino metropolis that is a good example of modern architecture and colonial buildings, get the book as soon as possible, the writing done by former Mexican diplomat Luis Herrera-Lasso is first quality. A great value for present to any of your friends or anyone proud of Mexican heritage and contemporary Mexico.

This book is a superb example of how Robert Cameron and Herb Lingl's aerial photographs exemplify the the beauty and majesty of Mexico City. The detailed text is a guided tour of the architecture and landscapes of this oftentimes overlooked cultural metropolis. Now for the first time we see Mexico City in her finest glory. As a native this book makes me proud of my city.

I agree with the other reviews: these ACCESS guides are by far the best for cities, and I am really sorry there isn't one more recent than 1999 for Santa Fe. I bought more recent guides for Santa Fe - ehh. The others are very limited in the scope of information.

I buy and Access guide for any city which I am about to visit. I have found their reviews to be topnotch.

I wish they would publish and updated guide to Santa Fe!

I always find the ACCESS Guides to be the best travel guides overall, and look for them whenever I am about to travel to a new location. So far, I have used their guides to Alb/SantaFe/Taos, Seattle, Montreal/Quebec City, Phoenix, San Francisco, Hawaii, San Diego, and London.

I like their format - they are organized by neighborhoods, so you don't have to seach around through the book all day; and they have an empasis on restaurants and shopping, which I find the other guides don't give enough info on and which are my FAVORITE activities when travelling. Also their print is large, clear, and color coded, which also makes it easy to find what you want (restaurants in one color, shopping in another, tourist sites in another).

It's the best guide to carry around each day while travelling.