Mexico Books

Si se interesan en cultura pre-colombiana, es un libro que es obligatorio leer para poder entender por lo menos un poco, la forma de ver el mundo, de esta magnifica gente del pueblo de los Mayas.

Maravilloso libro que explica la mitologia maya. La historia de un pueblo, la creacion del hombre. Realmente imperdible para aquellos estudiosos del tema, y para aquellos curiosos, como yo.

Another OUTSTANDING collection of Jesse Alexander photography, from the golden age of sports car racing.

Per my boyfriend--Great historical document. Superb photos. Really brings you back in time to the glory years of sports car racing.

The words and images of this beautiful book evoke feelings of love and gratitude. To God, to Nature, to the people, places and things in harmony with their surroundings. The photographer, author, and poet show true understanding of the meaning of life. Of simpler ways and of times past; while giving hope for the future, and times to come.

Lee Marmon is a Laguna Pueblo Indian who has been taking photographs of Laguna with professional cameras since 1946.
If you've seen the poster of the elderly Indian man wearing Converse All Stars (the image on this book's cover), you've seen Marmon's work.

This collection of his work since 1946 would be worthwhile if it simply documented the ceremonies, buildings, landscapes, faces and figures-what had changed and what did not---over more than a half century. But this volume is so much more. These are beautiful photographs, mostly in black and white. The stark magic of the Southwestern landscape was captured in the abstract paintings of artists like Georgia O'Keefe and Max Ernst. But black and white photos are inherently abstract, since they turn the world of color into shades and grains. Put a master photographer who knows his subject so intimately together with this landscape and you get one astonishing image after another.

There are wonderful faces, dramatic landscapes, close-ups that let you feel the grain of old wood. There's a different feeling in every photo, indescribable in words. And the feelings can be surprising, like the strange joy in "Girls at a clothesline," with white clothes flying against a wisp of cloud, yet in the foreground is a harsh and radiant edge of stone.

There are a smaller number of color photos, just as accomplished and evocative. There's some prose by Marmon's daughter, writer Leslie Marmon Silko, as well as by writers Joy Harjo and Simon Ortiz. But it's the photographs that are important here. They draw you in, and your eyes and heart expand. If you know someone who loves the mystery and bare majesty of the Southwest, or relishes authentic and beautiful images of American Indian life, this book makes an elegant gift for Christmas or any other occasion. If that person is you, do yourself a favor. You won't have any trouble entering these images. The secrets are there.

This book is definitely a MUST for those studying the Puerto Rican diaspora, the Puerto Rican socio-political condition in the US and the economical condition of many Puerto Ricans who have been living in the US for decades. It explains in a balanced and fair way how and why Puerto Ricans have been moving to the US since the 1940's and why they ended up settling in certain parts of the US. I highly recommend it because it clearly shows the effects of US colonialism/imperialism on the economy of Puerto Rico as well as the economic situation of Puerto Ricans residing in the US.

Two thumbs up!

An outstanding collection of stories covering an incredible spectrum of
Boricua life throughout the Continent bolstered by no nonsense research.
A must for every boricua writer, student, or researcher. Kudos to Carmen
Whalen.

DK Publishing created the "Eyewitness Books" series for young readers. This volume does a fine job presenting information about pyramids for the stated audience. The writing is pitched appropriately for younger readers. As with all entries in the series, the illustrations and photos are wonderful.

Pyramids from a variety of geographical locations are explored here: from Egypt to Mexico (Mayan and Aztec), as well as more contemporary manifestations. The first entry serves to provide context, by asking "What are pyramids?" The focus here is largely the Egyptian and Sudanese pyramids, although one photo of a Mayan pyramid allows some comparison between Egypt and the Americas. These structures were normally used for tombs of the elite (e.g., the Pharaohs in Egypt) or as temples (in Central America).

The first several sections of the book focus on the Middle East, with special emphasis on Egypt. We see the first pyramid of note, for Pharaoh Djoser about 2680 BC; then, the next stage in the evolution of pyramids under the Pharaoh Sneferu, to celebrate major military victories. Next, we see the famous pyramids at Giza (with the Sphinx as an auxiliary structure) (Pages 16-21).

Many subjects that would interest young readers are presented--from what is inside the pyramids to how they were built to tools used.

The book closes by noting that "The pyramid lives on" (Pages 62-63). The Transamerica Building in San Francisco and I. M. Pei's entrance to the Louvre in Paris illustrate contemporary manifestations of this ancient structure.

Again, another neat entry in the Eyewitness Books series. Young readers interested in the subject will enjoy this a great deal.

I love Eyewitness books and this the newest in my collection. The book deals a lot with Ancient Egypt so my students will go nuts over that. It also has some Mayan pyramids and Mayan culture. It is a wonderful book. I love the book and my students will love it too.

As a bilingual elementary teacher, I have used this book for the purpose of helping children become more self-reliant, confident and knowledgable about how to handle every-day, common problems and issues. I used the topics presented as Journal Topics each day, and these always elicited in-depth discussions, among first and second graders, up to fifth graders. This book is extremely beneficial on so many levels. Try it out, as a teacher or a parent, in either language!

As a bilingual elementary teacher, I have used this book for the purpose of helping children become more self-reliant, confident and knowledgable about how to handle every-day, common problems and issues. I used the topics presented as Journal Topics each day, and these always elicited in-depth discussions, among first and second graders, up to fifth graders. This book is extremely beneficial on so many levels. Try it out, as a teacher or a parent, in either language!

"Querido Alberto" is the authorized biography of the legendary Mexican singer/songwriter Juan Gabriel. Written by Gabriel's longtime friend and musical arranger Eduardo Magallanes, the book gives the reader a view into the life of the kid who grew up in the streets of Chihuahua, Mexico as Alberto Aguilera Valadez through the 1995 publication date.

Magallanes absorbs the reader immediately by opening the biography with a description of Gabriel's benefit performance at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City in 1990, the concert that became famous through audio and video sales. Magallanes then covers the life of Gabriel in short segments relating more to significance than chronology.

Magallanes addresses Gabriel's early life: the mysterious disappearance of his father three months after Gabriel's birth on January 7, 1950; the mother for whom he wrote "Amor Eterno"; the sister who lies in a coma, a state she has been in for many years; the various people who took him in off the streets and how they influenced him and his music; in essence, the steps through which Alberto Aguilera Valadez become the international pop singer known as Juan (named after a teacher) Gabriel (named after his father).

The book also includes a few chapters on Gabriel's personal life as an adult, a subject about which Gabriel is intensely private, particularly his near-30-year relationship with Laura Salas Campa and their four sons.

The book is written in Spanish but at such a level that people with a limited Spanish reading ability would be able to understand the main ideas. It includes extensive quotes by Gabriel, lyrics to many of his songs and tributes to Gabriel by Lola Beltran, Lucha Villa and other Gabriel contemporaries.

The photographs are perhaps the most intriguing part of the book. More than 100 captioned pictures show the singer's transformation from Alberto Aguilera Valadez, the poor street kid, to Juan Gabriel, the superstar. All the photos are black and white. No matter. Some allow a glimpse into Gabriel's private life. There are several pictures of his houses, his sons as young children, his partner Laura Salas and there's even one of his German shepherd dog, the breed he still keeps today.

This is a professionally written book that doesn't waste the reader's time on smutty tabloid material. It is a worthy purchase.

"Querido Alberto" is the authorized biography of the legendary Mexican singer/songwriter Juan Gabriel. Written by Gabriel's longtime friend and musical arranger Eduardo Magallanes, the book gives the reader a view into the life of the kid who grew up in the streets of Chihuahua, Mexico as Alberto Aguilera Valadez through the 1995 publication date.

Magallanes absorbs the reader immediately by opening the biography with a description of Gabriel's benefit performance at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City in 1990, the concert that became famous through audio and video sales. Magallanes then covers the life of Gabriel in short segments relating more to significance than chronology.

Magallanes addresses Gabriel's early life: the mysterious disappearance of his father three months after Gabriel's birth on January 7, 1950; the mother for whom he wrote "Amor Eterno"; the sister who lies in a coma, a state she has been in for many years; the various people who took him in off the streets and how they influenced him and his music; in essence, the steps through which Alberto Aguilera Valadez become the international pop singer known as Juan (named after a teacher) Gabriel (named after his father).

The book also includes a few chapters on Gabriel's personal life as an adult, a subject about which Gabriel is intensely private, particularly his near-30-year relationship with Laura Salas Campa and their four sons.

The book is written in Spanish but at such a level that people with a limited Spanish reading ability would be able to understand the main ideas. It includes extensive quotes by Gabriel, lyrics to many of his songs and tributes to Gabriel by Lola Beltran, Lucha Villa and other Gabriel contemporaries.

The photographs are perhaps the most intriguing part of the book. More than 100 captioned pictures show the singer's transformation from Alberto Aguilera Valadez, the poor street kid, to Juan Gabriel, the superstar. All the photos are black and white. No matter. Some allow a glimpse into Gabriel's private life. There are several pictures of his houses, his sons as young children, his partner Laura Salas and there's even one of his German shepherd dog, the breed he still keeps today.

This is a professionally written book that doesn't waste the reader's time on smutty tabloid material. It is a worthy purchase.

There has been so much written about the 1968 Olympics and the Olympic Project for Human Rights movement, but oftentimes from a critical perspective or by not placing it within a broader context of social movements that were gripping the world.

Author Douglass Hartmann offers a holistic perspective on the protest through impressive research and interviews, while stripping away the layers of myth which time brings to history.

This is an important volume for any reader who wants a complete understanding of this timless moment where sports and politics merged on the ultimate international stage.

This is by far the best book ever written on the topic of the 1968 Olympic protest by the Black athletes from San Jose State . . . Any question I ever had on the events surrounding John Carlos and Tommie Smith's so-called "Black Power" salute on the Olympic dais in Mexico City was found in this book, which speaks from a sociological and historical standpoint. I definitely will be able to use this book not only in my own studies, but in teaching the significant points of the protest to students at SJS.

Thanks, Dr. Hartmann!

I found this guide to be very impactful for vacation planning. This directory lists most frequently visited state attractions and many other very useful facts abour each state. The maps are very accurate as well. I am now purchasing a more up to date version.

If you travel by road a lot for leisure purposes, this atlas is a must-have. Every state has its own page of top cities and attractions, along with other useful information such as highway info, scenic drives, and campground info. I bought one in 1996 and have been using it ever since; it has been all over the nation with me, from DC to Dallas to Denver. It's survived the test of time, and now I must break down and buy a new one.

Written By David M. Johnson (professor emeritus of English and creative writing, University of New Mexico) Rebirth of Wonder: Poems of Wonder is an anthology of prose and poetry drawn from Johnson's life experiences in adventures across the world, from Minnesota to Mexico, Spain, and Greece. Each prose segment or free-verse poem is brief, yet at times wryly contemplative of the characteristics of diverse locales, as well as the foibles of human nature. "Epiphany": There's not a day / I'm not amazed / by God's excess. // Yesterday / birds filled every branch / of our apple tree. / Today / a young friend / had her womb removed." From the well-meaning hubris of family members to the gentle wonder of nature to the miracle of human birth itself, Rebirth of Wonder strikes a balance between dry humor, contemplative insight, and breathtaking amazement.

In reading this wonderful collection I was reminded of the title of a books of poems by James Kavanaugh, "There Are Men Too Gentle To Live Among Wolves." I suspect David Johnson may be such a man. In a gentle, tolerant, graceful manner he writes of "...our journey on this earth, following dreams, meeting other travelers who have taken to the road in search of themselves." He chronicles his journeys from his Norwegian family home in Minnesota to his life in New Mexico and onward to Mexico, Spain, and Greece. He celebrates his "common life" by writing of his family and friends which he see as guideposts"...where the commonplace...is celebrated." His poem Roadkill will give the reader an idea of his humanity and grace and is worth the price of the book. The book chronicles the life experiences of an extraordinary poet-teacher, father, husband, grandfather, and man of tolerance that will resonate with readers long after they put it down...if they can. Destined to be an award winner.