South America Books

I read this book in the early 1990's. There was considerable interest in the subject back then. There were numerous other books about the U.S. war on Nicaragua at the time. I believe that this book will endure as the best book about that era. Ms. Sklar paints the picture, entirely documented with exacting precision of the U.S. undeclared war against this tiny state, population of 3.5 million. The U.S started it and maintained it. How many Americans know that the World Court in the Hague found the U.S. guilty of war crimes in Nicaragua in 11/84. What was the U.S. response-we walked out of the World Court, rather than obey it's verdict. Read about it in this book-p.170. Only three countries ever walked out of the world court in it's entire history, Iran,Iceland and Albania. I don't know about Iceland but the other two put us in pretty undistinguished company. In this latter day, when Iconization of Ronald Reagan is the mode people should read this book to see just how obsessive the man was on the subject of Nicaragua and the Contras. Ms. Sklar shows how illegal and ruthless that obsession was.

The war against Nicaragua is staring into the same memory hole that other unpleasant chapters of American history get dropped into by politicians, much of the media, and ultimately the people.

Way, way back in the 80s, the US launched an illegal war OF terror against the mighty Central American empire of Nicaragua, which was threatening to destroy the United States and our very way of life. So evil was this nation, so dangerous, that they had to be crushed, to the point that it's easily one of the most dirt-poor nations in the hemisphere. Starting up their own Reich, eliciting the support of the Evil Empire (since no one else would help), Nicaragua is a classic example of what happens when puppets no longer follow orders and want to go off on their own.

Holly Sklar has written an in-depth, meticulously researched book that betrays little bias, since the well-known and easily verifiable facts speak for themselves. The story is very ugly, indeed. So egregious was the US that we were condemned by the World Court for 'unlawful use of force', a nice euphamism for, well, aggression, terrorism, etc. After hearing this unacceptable verdict, the US responded by walking out of the World Court, and escalating the war. The contempt for international law continues unabated.

The book is very detailed, and well-indexed. You can focus on certain chapters without losing the overall story, and indeed many Americans will recall all the hoopla, nicely spun by the media then and now. Of course, some of the very players are still on the scene today, with Oliver North now a respectable Fox News employee, and John Negroponte displaying his characteristic dedication to the Third World in his new role in Iraq.

Highly recommended reading for any American, this book will not be found next to your latest fashionable pundit's 'book'. It does, however, give an insight into how world powers behave, then and certainly now.

I couldn't put this book down. Bonner has identified the major players in US-El Salvador relations in that time period and done an excellent job of contrasting the "party line" (the propoganda from the State Department and much of the press) from what he saw on the "front line" while living in El Salvador as a reporter for the NY Times. This book is not for the week of stomach, as it very graphically describes the fates of many people who died in the struggle. He has done an incredible job of organizing declassified documents and press clippings to show how the American public was deceived.

US foreign policy was neatly summed up by a commentator on 'Newsnight' recently. A country is like a game of poker in which you play a hand and then cut your losses and get out if things don't work out while the European stance is arguably more socialistic. Little seems to have changed then, judging by this horrifying book, burning with indignation by Raymond Bonner.
The Reagan administration has been deemed culpable by some over Central American injustice, but the 'weakness' of the title applies as much to the decisions made by the Carter administration, despite avowedly making human rights the 'soul of our foreign policy.' America could not conceive of any popular revolution as not instigated by the Soviet Union. Ironic then, that this book should show the importance of religion, not as a take it or leave it life style choice of the privileged west, but as a vital cohesive force against the forces of Nazi tyranny, which this undoubtably was. It is still inexplicable to me that a nation could make such an enormous sacrifice in fighting Facism during the war, only to come to this deplorable conclusion. Do the ends justify the means? Mr Bonner leaves us in no doubt.

We are from Wheeling, and we love these books with the old photos and stories. It's great fun to read!

This book had me hooked before I even got to the table of contents. The pictures are just fantastic. Having grown up in the Wheeling, WV area, I found it so interesting to study these photographs and see what the area looked like in years past. I especially enjoyed reading the captions under each photo. In addition to just explaining what the picture is, the captions include little bits of information about the subjects in the photo. I think I'll be getting more copies of this book to give for Christmas presents.

In this book, Ash analyzes the Southern experience in areas invaded by Union troops during the Civil War. Whereas most other studies on this subject deal with a specific town or locality, Ash's book presents an inclusive synthesis that examines the commonalities of the occupation throughout the South. Three main themes direct his study of occupation. One examines how Northern policies regarding the South during occupation developed over the course of the war. Another theme appraises how three different geographical segments of the South experienced occupation (garrison towns, the Confederate frontier, and no-man's land). Finally, Ash looks at how occupation by Federal forces led to internal conflicts between Southerners of varied political, social, and economic groups.
In Ash's study, three important hallmarks of the South were its social hierarchy, its rural communalism, and its race relations. These elements worked in combination to create a unique society that Northern invaders perceived as both backward and foreign. Because of the cultural disparities between the North and the South, the arrival of Union occupying troops was a greatly feared occurrence by Southerners. However, initial Southern interactions with Union troops proved to be less volatile than was originally thought. Despite Northern attempts to remain equitable and lenient within occupied areas, Southern recalcitrance persisted. The continuation of these rebellious attitudes forced Union troops to adopt a harsher policy in their administration of the occupied South, leading to further antagonism between the Union military and Southerners. The "hard policy" of Union occupation also increased existing internal conflicts in the South, such as those between slaves and their masters, Unionists and their secessionist neighbors, and poor whites and the propertied elites. Thus, with the Union control of the South and the disruption caused by this occupation, the established elements of Southern culture (social hierarchy, rural communalism, race relations) could no longer provide a completely cohesive society.

A very interesting view of the other side of the Civil War. Ash takes the reader on a trip to the South and shows how life changed after the Union Army invaded. The book gives an overall look at the entire South, showing exactly how different regions were effected. Also includes many quotes from actual residents and cites from Southern newspapers, each giving the reader a true vision of what it was like to live there during the Civil War. A wonderful addition to a Civil War collection, especially if you are interested in the South.

I have a five year old, Diego, that absolutely loves this book. I am originally from Costa Rica and was looking for books that would interest him while teaching him something as well. This book reminds us that there are many wonderful ideas and theories that explain the beginnings of the Earth and that it is wonderful to share in others' thoughts (on this and other subjects). The illustrations are amazing. The colors are vibrant and the characters are each beautiful in their own way. I now have a 7 month old daughter, Sofia, and I can't wait to share it with her.

I am a mother of two small children ( 2 & 3) and they really enjoyed listening to this story being told aloud at a recent book signing. The colorful art on every page keeps my children very interested in this wonderful book.

Whispers in Dust and Bone is so well written that you get engrossed to the point of being upset when you turn the last page and find it empty. His story 'The Second Coming' hangs in your mind like a halo. No writer surpasses his ability to create characters that ring so true to the heart.

Geyer's tales are subtly layered, infused with biblical allusion, history, philosophy, myth, and the harsh, unforgiving ambience of the author's native Southwest Texas. His characters, rugged as the landscape that shapes them, emerge before the reader full-blown, fashioned from the clay of the actual, tooled by uncertainty, courage, triumph, tragedy and the unpredictable turns of human love. This is a seamless, remarkable collection of stories by a writer comfortable with place, knowledgeable in the universal yearnings of the human heart. Highly recommended.

Hi! I'm Alan Holman, but not the Alan Holman who wrote the book. I'm an Alan Holman who is seventeen years old and lives in Saskatoon, Canada. The book that the other Alan Holman wrote is awesome. It's the story of a trek which I myself would love to go on, and I envy him for going on it. I reccommend this book to everyone.

Unlike most recent "extraordinary achievements" that are written about, this is the story of how one man achieved what had not yet been done, with no assistance, no sponsorship, no nothing but his will to go forward and to succeed. And he did. What's more, he wrote about it in a readable, down-to-earth, and often hilarious style. Whatever you want to achieve in life, this man has a lesson for you.

White Savages in the South Seas is a candid look at the not so glamourous lives of real people living in the South Pacific. This book is filled with fasinating characters like Susy No Pants and interesting adventures. Their stories are well written with great passion and witty humor. I enjoyed every moment.

A thinking person's look at life in the South Pacific as seen through the eyes of an imaginative and involved participant in life. You'll laugh and you'll cry and you will get an insight into the lives of many unusual and colorful people. Definitely not a "travel book," but rather a carefully written volumne which will forever effect the way you see life in the South Pacific.

i am currently taking a comparative study course on new world slavery, and this book interested me. i enjoyed this book.

This is a seminal study which compares the development of white supremacy in Southern Africa and North America. It is well researched and provides the reader with an insightful analysis into race relations in these two regions. Although the book was published in 1982, the analysis continues to be current and essential to those readers who wish to understand the historic context of this important subject.

Great wine country information. - and wonderful "stacation" ideas, especially if you live in the Washington area. It was nice to see our favorite vineyards listed, plus lots of helpful information about each!
Don't miss this book if you are a wine enthusiast like we are.

You get the standard maps (which are excellent) and contact information for about 200 wineries but you also get the author's lively prose that helps you get to know the winemakers before you arrive. I decided to ask each winery to sign their page in Mr. Roberts's book! So many wineries, so little time! Rumor has it that a volume on Oregon's wineries is in the works! Note: I am no relation to the author. Roberts is a common name in these parts!