Books

Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero

Average customer rating:

Great book... great buy.
Biography of a Sports Hero
My First Hero
Clemente - Old School Hero
Great Story of a Man & an Athlete, When Baseball was Still Fun

Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero
David Maraniss
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 074329999X

Book Description

On New Year's Eve 1972, following eighteen magnificent seasons in the major leagues, Roberto Clemente died a hero's death, killed in a plane crash as he attempted to deliver food and medical supplies to Nicaragua after a devastating earthquake. David Maraniss now brings the great baseball player brilliantly back to life in Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero, a book destined to become a modern classic. Much like his acclaimed biography of Vince Lombardi, When Pride Still Mattered, Maraniss uses his narrative sweep and meticulous detail to capture the myth and a real man.

Anyone who saw Clemente, as he played with a beautiful fury, will never forget him. He was a work of art in a game too often defined by statistics. During his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he won four batting titles and led his team to championships in 1960 and 1971, getting a hit in all fourteen World Series games in which he played. His career ended with three-thousand hits, the magical three-thousandth coming in his final at-bat, and he and the immortal Lou Gehrig are the only players to have the five-year waiting period waived so they could be enshrined in the Hall of Fame immediately after their deaths.

There is delightful baseball here, including thrilling accounts of the two World Series victories of Clemente's underdog Pittsburgh Pirates, but this is far more than just another baseball book. Roberto Clemente was that rare athlete who rose above sports to become a symbol of larger themes. Born near the canebrakes of rural Carolina, Puerto Rico, on August 18, 1934, at a time when there were no blacks or Puerto Ricans playing organized ball in the United States, Clemente went on to become the greatest Latino player in the major leagues. He was, in a sense, the Jackie Robinson of the Spanish-speaking world, a ballplayer of determination, grace, and dignity who paved the way and set the highest standard for waves of Latino players who followed in later generations and who now dominate the game.

The Clemente that Maraniss evokes was an

idiosyncratic character who, unlike so many modern athletes, insisted that his responsibilities extended beyond the playing field. In his final years, his motto was that if you have a chance to help others and fail to do so, you are wasting your time on this earth. Here, in the final chapters, after capturing Clemente's life and times, Maraniss retraces his final days, from the earthquake to the accident, using newly uncovered documents to reveal the corruption and negligence that led the unwitting hero on a mission of mercy toward his untimely death as an uninspected, overloaded plane plunged into the sea.

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"""On New Year's Eve 1972, following eighteen magnificent seasons in the major leagues, Roberto Clemente died a hero's death, killed in a plane crash as he attempted to deliver food and medical supplies to Nicaragua after a devastating earthquake. David Maraniss now brings the great baseball player brilliantly back to life in Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball's Last Hero, a book destined to become a modern classic. Much like his acclaimed biography of Vince Lombardi, When Pride Still Mattered, Maraniss uses his narrative sweep and meticulous detail to capture the myth and a real man. Anyone who saw Clemente, as he played with a beautiful fury, will never forget him. He was a work of art in a game too often defined by statistics. During his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he won four batting titles and led his team to championships in 1960 and 1971, getting a hit in all fourteen World Series games in which he played. His career ended with three-thousand hits, the magical three-thousandth coming in his final at-bat, and he and the immortal Lou Gehrig are the only players to have the five-year waiting period waived so they could be enshrined in the Hall of Fame immediately after their deaths. There is delightful baseball here, including thrilling accounts of the two World Series victories of Clemente's underdog Pittsburgh Pirates, but this is far more than just another baseball book. Roberto Clemente was that rare athlete who rose above sports to become a symbol of larger themes. Born near the canebrakes of rural Carolina, Puerto Rico, on August 18, 1934, at a time when there were no blacks or Puerto Ricans playing organized ball in the United States, Clemente went on to become the greatest Latino player in the major leagues. He was, in a sense, the Jackie Robinson of the Spanish-speaking world, a ballplayer of determination, grace, and dignity who paved the way and set the highest standard for waves of Latino players who followed in later generations and who now dominate the game. The Clemente that Maraniss evokes was an idiosyncratic character who, unlike so many modern athletes, insisted that his responsibilities extended beyond the playing field. In his final years, his motto was that if you have a chance to help others and fail to do so, you are wasting your time on this earth. Here, in the final chapters, after capturing Clemente's life and times, Maraniss retraces his final days, from the earthquake to the accident, using newly uncovered documents to reveal the corruption and negligence that led the unwitting hero on a mission of mercy toward his untimely death as an uninspected, overloaded plane plunged into the sea. """

Customer Reviews:

Great book... great buy........2007-05-13

This was a gift to my boyfriend for his birthday. He hasn't read it yet, but is looking forward to it. Can't beat it for the money. Thanks.

Biography of a Sports Hero.......2007-04-10

Delve into the life of an old school baseball hero. You'll see the humanity of Clemente while his true greatness continues to shine through.

My First Hero.......2007-03-06

I was 7 when my grandmother and I watched Clemente play his last game. Everything I was as a boy playing baseball was a dream of one day becoming Clemente. When he died, my thoughts of baseball died, I've never played again. What was born of his legacy was an appreciation in me for my fellow human being and that has been growing in me ever since. David Maraniss is a kind person and he writes with a gentle grace that reaches across many years to make my hero come alive again. I couldn't help but feel my grandmother's presence while reading this book. This must be the definitive Clemente biography.

Clemente - Old School Hero.......2007-02-13

Maraniss does a wonderful job describing the life of this dignified hero. While the portrayal of Clemente isn't always glowing, the humble greatness shines through. This is a great book for today's youth who wants to look beyond the Nike comercials for somebody to look up to. Clemente was the man.

Great Story of a Man & an Athlete, When Baseball was Still Fun.......2007-02-08

A great story of a fine human being and baseball star. This book also gives you a flavor of the era that Clemente played in. A time when baseball was fun, and the players were more dedicated. This isn't a great book, but is well worth reading. If you love baseball, you'll find this a great read.

Average customer rating:

I don't know
Great
Awesome cook book
Buy this book
Monotonous Regularity

Puerto Rican Cookery
Carmen Aboy Valldejuli
Manufacturer: Pelican Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0882894110

Customer Reviews:

I don't know.......2007-06-26

This is a good book if you have ALLOT of time on your hands. It has allot of traditional recipes using traditional ingredients. There are know short cuts. Most meals here take an hour or longer to create. I highly recommend .Puerto Rican Cuisine in America: Nuyorican and Bodega Recipes

Great.......2007-05-13

I received the book within a few days and was very excited to receive it.. Thanks.

Awesome cook book.......2007-04-11

I enjoy cooking. I recommen this book to any one...
I bought 3 more copies and set them to friends and family to enjoy
what I have enjoyed. Taste new foods is a gift we all should enjoy.
Enjoy the food you make. Raymon.

Buy this book.......2007-03-05

My fiancee is half Puerto Rican and half Spanish. His mother is an amazing cook and I found out that she learned how to cook Puerto Rican dishes for her husband by buying one of the original prints of this cookbook. I was so happy to find an English version. I recently made a dish for my fiancee and he said that the recipe rivaled his mom's cooking! I was so happy. I would recommend this cookbook to anyone who wants to learn how to make authentic Puerto Rican recipes.

Monotonous Regularity.......2007-01-10

Never have I enjoyed a cookbook less than this contrived concoction of unappetizing recipes. Can you believe a Puerto Rican cookbook without reference to annatto, that aromatic red/orange seed so prevalent in PR cuisine? And only one recipe for asopao, a dish indigenous to the island boasting so many luscious variations.

It became a joke after realizing one recipe looked very much like the rest. I returned this book as quickly as I was able.

Chef James
Maui

Average customer rating:

As the title says: "Magnifico!"
Magnificent Arm Chair Travel
The ultimate guide to Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Magnífico!
Roger Labrucherie
Manufacturer: Imagenes Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Puerto Rico Borinquen Querida
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ASIN: 0939302357

Book Description

Puerto Rico Magnfico! is a large-format, photographic-essay, coffee-table book about the island of Puerto Rico. Through photographs, maps, and text, it covers Puerto Rico's history, culture, people, nature, geography, and scenery. The book features a special emphasis on aerial photography, and a "then-and-now" chapter is devoted to comparing historic and modern scenes of the island.

Customer Reviews:

As the title says: "Magnifico!".......2000-07-02

Having travelled to Puerto Rico dozens of times over the past twenty years (and I lived there for a time as well), I have to say this is absolutely the most impressive and complete "coffee-table" book on the island that I have ever seen. It is large-format, filled with superb color photographs (including a lot of aerials and a fascinating "then and now" chapter of archival pictures side-by-side with the same scene as it is today). And the text doesn't insult your intelligence -- it's a concise overview of Puerto Rico's history. An added plus is the Spanish translation (done by a Puerto Rican translator) at the back of the book -- too many books about Puerto Rico ignore the island's linguistic heritage! I've given several copies to friends who love the island. The jacket blurb says the author was once a Peace Corps Volunteer, and it shows ... this is a real in-depth portrait, not just "post-cardy" superficial coverage.

Magnificent Arm Chair Travel.......2000-06-13

For anyone familiar or unfamiliar with Puerto Rico, this superb pictorial and eloquently written portrait of this country, its culture, its people and its history, will bring the reader palpably close to the very pulse of the island. Page after page of breathtaking photography and descriptive narrative succeed in transporting you to the the subject matter at hand. Both visually and verbally, this book lifts you right off each page as it gives you a soaring birdseye view of one of the Caribbean's most beautiful island destinations. The overall impact of this book on one's senses can only be exceeded by actually being there. Otherwise, be prepared for some unsurpassable armchair travel.

The ultimate guide to Puerto Rico........2000-05-31

This stunner provides you with two books rolled into one, a beautiful and timeless collection of more than 100 lush photographs as well as an easy-to-read history of Puerto Rico. It is apparent from the obvious care and attention to detail that went into this book that the author is both dedicated to his craft and enamored of the people and island that he is profiling. The book depicts the great diversity of Puerto Rico -- from the hustle and bustle of its urban centers (including the grand architectural heritage) to the most desolate and pristine parts of the island, shown both in close-up and from the air. The stars of the book are the people themselves, who act as guides to the island and invite you to visit them for the first time or simply to return again as old friends. A highly recommended work.

Average customer rating:

Oh please...
Truly an Amazing Memoir
i guess my teacher liked it
A passionating story
Loved this book!

When I Was Puerto Rican
Esmeralda Santiago
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Almost a Woman
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ASIN: 0679756760
Release Date: 1994-10-11

Book Description

Selling over 16,000 copies in hardcover, this triumphant coming-of-age memoir is now available in paperback editions in both English and Spanish. In the tradition of Black Ice, Santiago writes lyrically of her childhood on her native island and of her bewildering years of transition in New York City.

Customer Reviews:

Oh please..........2007-05-30

I had to read this book for a class in college back when it was still fairly "new". I say "new" because it is the same tired formula of most contemporary Latin American authors.
I currently, previously and, as far as I can tell, will continue to BE Puerto Rican and the "charms" of this story fail to grab me.
Reading some of the glowing reviews for this book, I suspect I was never meant to be it's target audience.

Truly an Amazing Memoir.......2007-04-28

When I first saw the title I was a little anxious to see why she wasn't Peurto Rican anymore. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. It was hard for me to put it down and I usually don't say that about many books I have read. Esmeralda Santiago is a brilliant writer and has beat the odds after all she's been through. I mean I'm not going to lie about anything in this review. The book did have it's boring moments, but the action pick back up again after you thought everything was back to normal. I truly enjoyed this book.

i guess my teacher liked it.......2007-03-09

i had to read this for a college class (urban development). this book really gives you the opportunity to reflect on how hard it is to get by in other cultures. the author of this book overcomes a lot of hardship and eventually obtains her phd in the u.s. it is powerful. i wouldnt have read it unless it was for class though. thats minus 1 star

A passionating story.......2006-08-03

The life of the young Esmeralda Santiago is interesting, well-written and full of colored details.

Loved this book!.......2006-07-12

My husband is Puerto Rican (I am not) and read this book years ago. He said that it reminded him of a combination of his mom and grandmother's childhoods. He lent it to his sister, mom and grandmother to read (they all loved it) and eventually to me. I just couldn't get enough of it. Then my mother-in-law lent us "Almost A Woman", which I just finished. Esmeralda Santiago is an amazing writer with a great story.

Average customer rating:

Delightful pictures
Fantastic book
Knows the island backward and forward
Puerto Rico, Borinquen Querida
A Work of Art.

Puerto Rico Borinquen Querida
Roger A. Labrucherie
Manufacturer: Imagenes Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0939302268

Book Description

This is a photographic-essay "coffee-table" book about Puerto Rico. It covers, in photographs, paintings, maps, and text, Puerto Rico's history, flora, fauna, geography, and scenery, with a special emphasis on the people and culture of the island.

Customer Reviews:

Delightful pictures .......2005-09-25

A great coffee table book. A good start to a quality conversation.

Fantastic book.......2002-01-08

This book was a gift from my brother for the holidays. Being a native from Puerto Rico, I believe this book is invaluable for those of us who have been raised in Puerto Rico and like many others, like Mr.Labrucherie expresses in his book chapter "Jibaro", have pursued a more progressive lifestyle in the mainland. Nowhere have I read a book about Puerto Rico, its history and culture, that illustrates the true essence of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican as this book does. The author has an amazing ability of providing insight about the Island not only for the tourist but particularly to us that have lived there and are away. In its own way an analytical review of the Island's background, the book has been written in such a way that not only you learn but mostly you navigate through the book. When you finish each chapter, you feel that you have become part of the story told. Of course, the photography is superb, taking you to the heart of the topic for an extraordinary display of the profound beauty of Puerto Rico. A real pleasure and joy to read. Thank you, Mr. Labrucherie, for making me fall in love with my Island all over again. Cheers, for a fantastic photojournalism and writing exceptional gift!

Knows the island backward and forward.......2000-10-10

I've been travelling to the islands of the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, for over 25 years, and I have quite a collection of coffee-table books on the region. This author is a master of getting "inside" the county, the people, the culture, the history. Incredible pictures -- this man is a true artist. (The photo notes say he took over 15,000 pictures to put the book together!) The text is chock-full of info, for those who actually take the time to read this sort of book. Actually, I had not intended to read the text, but I started reading a bit here and there and ended up reading it cover-to-cover. This book covers it all -- I couldn't recommend it more highly.

Puerto Rico, Borinquen Querida.......2000-06-23

In a word, Wow! This is a superb "portrait" of this island. The photographs are absolutely stunning. But this isn't just a "postcard" view of Puerto Rico -- there's lots of coverage of the people, history, and culture, too. The author-photographer has been traveling to Puerto Rico for over three decades, and it shows both in his photographs and his extensive text, which gives a solid but concise presentation of Puerto Rico's history in a very readable way without being dry. (Kind of National Geographic style.) And the picture captions are in-depth, presenting little gems of info about the picture subject matter if you're in too much of hurry to read the whole text. I've lived in Puerto Rico, and this has the feel of an insider's view, not just someone who has breezed through the island and shot a few pictures.

A Work of Art........1999-12-09

This stunning book reflects pure professionalism and attention to detail as well as a love and devotion to the island and people of Puerto Rico. The more than 100 photographs are magnificent. There are aerial shots of pristine, remote regions of the island and startling close-ups of both plants and wildlife. Then there are the photos of the bustling metropolis of San Juan, including the narrow streets of beautiful Old San Juan, the noteworthy architecture of Ponce, and, of course, the burgeoning tourist resorts. Last but not least are the stars of the book -- the people of Puerto Rico in their great variety of personality, background, and station in life. An added feature is a substantial amount of historical material that accompanies the photos, thereby providing virtually two books in one. Certainly this work is both an enticement to visit Puerto Rico and a happy reminder of past visits.

Puerto Rico: Grand Cuisine of the Caribbean

Average customer rating:

Five Star Dining
Nice Coffee Table Book
unique cuisiine

Puerto Rico: Grand Cuisine of the Caribbean
Jose Luis Diaz de Villegas
Manufacturer: La Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0847704157

Book Description

Throughout five centuries, Puerto Rico has developed an internationally renowned cuisine, which incorporates Caribbean ingredients and a long tradition of culinary culture. In this book, the profiles and recipes of nine great chefs demonstrate human and professional aspects of their careers, and how by their efforts-and that of many of their colleagues-Puerto Rico has turned into the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean.

Customer Reviews:

Five Star Dining.......2007-02-13

As an avid reader of Puerto Rican cookbooks, I am always on the look out for an interesting new title. This cookbook, is beautifully photographed and has wonderful stories about the chefs. The recipes are really interesting and have ingredients that I would not normally have seen in my mom's kitchen, look at the pasteles recipe and you will see what I mean. Can't wait to show off our new recipes at a dinner party.

Nice Coffee Table Book.......2006-10-24

This is a beautiful book, with lots of nice pictures and plenty of narrative about Puerto Rico. The recipes are from San Juan's star chefs and showcase their fusion cuisine. This is not a book of recipes of typical Puerto Rican cuisine--in fact, the number of recipes is pretty low.

unique cuisiine.......2006-08-30

I love this book. It is about time that people open their eyes and palates to such a tasty cuisine especially that the United States has been involved with the gorgeous island of Puerto Rico since 1898. It is like no other Latin cuisine.

Average customer rating:

Lonely Planet Puerto Rico
Better than nothing
Very UNHAPPY with this book
Very UNHAPPY with this book
Mostly accurate and reliable, with a few oddities

Lonely Planet Puerto Rico
Ginger Adams Otis
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Puerto Rico Road Map 2007 / Mapa de Carreteras de Puerto Rico 2007

ASIN: 1740597818

Book Description

Bask on the dazzling white sands of Playa Flamenco. Forge through lush jungle in El Yunque. Wind your way through the cobblestone maze of Old San Juan to sizzling salsa joints that don't quit until dawn. Our best-selling guide helps you find the authentic Puerto Rico, with detailed regional coverage for the perfect getaway.

• EXPLORE FURTHER - discover Vieques' glowing bay, Culebra's wildlife sanctuary, the Rio Camuy caves and the romantic colonial town of Ponce

• CATCH THE BEAT with our dedicated music and dance chapter, tips on where to take salsa lessons and reviews of the island's hottest clubs

• ENJOY LOCAL FLAVORS - from roadside friquitines to the hottest SoFo restaurants, dining options for every taste and budget

• GET ACTIVE - special outdoors chapter reveals the best spots to surf, dive, hike, sail and swim

• TALK THE TALK - handy language chapter includes Spanish basics and regional variations

Customer Reviews:

Lonely Planet Puerto Rico.......2007-03-17

This book is out-dated, because some restaurants in the book don't exist any more.

Better than nothing.......2006-09-15

I bought this book 2 years ago for a trip to Puerto Rico. It was a bit outdated than. I traveled there again 9/2/06 to 9/11/06, this was my fifth time, so I have a bit more knowledge than the first timer. For the most part every bit of information about Rincon is inaccurate. Everything closes the week of labor day until around the end of October, so do not go there during those dates, you will have wasted your day. Well not everything is closed, Rincon proper is still open. And you can always watch the surfers at sandy beach or go snorkeling at steps beach (rent your gear at Taino Divers, they are still open). In fact there is a great coffee house that stays open,(better than starbucks and they have soy milk!) it is called Taino international cafe, try their frozen coffee drinks, they also have WiFi.

Prices have gone up for the camuy caves and the ferry ride to Gilligans Island, but only by a couple of bucks. There is a lot more traffic than the last time I went there, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time, otherwise you would have wasted a day in the car, when you could have been happier sitting at a beach. I stayed on the west coast, so I was traveling mostly going east, but from what I could tell the traffic was equally bad going west. I believe most travel guides say it takes 2 1/2 hours to travel from San Jaun to Rincon, bank on it taking ATLEAST 3 and perhaps up to 5. So leave very very early.

Anyway, I think this book is better than having no book, the directions are generally the same, some places do not exist anymore, but just call up before you venture out. Pretty much you will find a decent amount of people that speak English (especially in Rincon, where almost everybody is from the states, talk to them they have good stories, most of them went to Rincon for a vacation and stayed).

Very UNHAPPY with this book.......2006-05-04

We just came back from a 10 day trip to Puerto Rico (04/21 - 05/01, 2006) and we have to COMPLETELY disagree with the previous review. In fact, we were thinking about burning this LP copy. Don't get us wrong, we own several copies of LP for China, Eucador, South America, Guatamala, and etc. But we have serious reservation about recommending this one to anyone else. Here are some of the reasons:

1. Several budget restarurants in Old San Juan no longer exist. They include St. Germain, Brenda's Cafe, and Los Amigos. It became very frustrating after going to several places and finding out 3/4 of them were closed.

2. The same happened in Ponce, but for hotels. Two out of three hotels listed on pg. 166 (center of Ponce, by the Plaza las Delicias) were not there - they simply don't exist.

3. Now, telephone numbers. we can't say that all of them in the guidebook are wrong, but the ones we called are either disconnected or a wrong number. This goes for the UA Cinema 150 in San Juan (pg. 105), which we found out at a Holiday Inn in Isla Verde that it was torn down a year ago. Or the Museo de Art Contemporaneo de Puerto Rico, which doesn't open on Monday, as the guidebook indicated - in fact, no museum in San Juan opens on Monday!

4. We can list more annoyances, like the lack of good maps for most of the cities described, or bad driving directions...

We are not saying that this book has no value, but when you finds enough inconsistencies and errors, you has to wonder what else is wrong, and more importantly, whether or not you can actually trust and rely on the guidebook. And in that respect, our answer is NO.

The take home message: carefully compare this book with another. If you do decide to buy this LP, always call the places ahead to see 1) if it still exist, and 2) if the number is correct.

On a side note, at one point during the trip, we thought that we would probably have had more luck with a coqui as our guide than using this guidebook! =)

Very UNHAPPY with this book.......2006-05-04

I just came back from a 10 day trip to Puerto Rico (04/21 - 05/01, 2006) and I have to COMPLETELY disagree with the previous review. In fact, I was thinking about burning this LP copy. Don't get me wrong, I own several copies of LP for China, Eucador, and etc. But I have serious reservation about recommending this one to anyone else. Here are some of the reasons:

1. Several budget restarurants in Old San Juan no longer exist. They include St. Germain, Brenda's Cafe, and Los Amigos. It became very frustrating after going to several places and finding out 3/4 of them were closed.

2. The same happened in Ponce, but for hotels. Two out of three hotels listed on pg. 166 (center of Ponce, by the Plaza las Delicias) were not there - they simply don't exist.

3. Now, telephone numbers. I can't say that all of them in the guidebook are wrong, but the ones I called are either disconnected or a wrong number. This goes for the UA Cinema 150 in San Juan (pg. 105), which I found out at a Holiday Inn in Isla Verde that it was torn down a year ago. Or the Museo de Art Contemporaneo de Puerto Rico, which doesn't open on Monday, as the guidebook indicated - in fact, no museum in San Juan opens on Monday!

4. I can list more annoyances, like the lack of good maps for most of the cities described, or bad driving directions...

I'm not saying that this book has no value, but when one finds enough inconsistencies and errors, one has to wonder what else is wrong, and more importantly, whether or not one can actually trust and rely on the guidebook. And in that respect, my answer is NO.

The take home message: carefully compare this book with another. If you do decide to buy this LP, always call the places ahead to see 1) if it still exist, and 2) if the number is correct.

Mostly accurate and reliable, with a few oddities.......2006-03-17

In general, this Lonely Planet "Puerto Rico" (there are more than one; this one is by Ginger Adams Otis) is overall reasonably accurate and up-to-date as of February 2006. There are a few oddities within, however:

One is the pronounciation of the word for chicken, pollo. As many times as I've been in Puerto Rico, I've never heard it pronounced PO-lyo, as indicated on page 67. It is PO-yo, or sometimes more like PO-djyo. I never heard any Puerto Rican pronounce the "l" sound in this word.

Second, some of the hotel classifications seemed to based on the hotel's self-classifications (or wishful thinking) more than anyone's actual experience. For example, although the author's description is reasonably accurate, on page 95, Otis lumps Hotel El Milano into the same midrange category as El Convento. El Convento is truly upscale, and always has been, both in accommodations and in price. El Milano is very firmly mid-scale in all dimensions.

Of course guides like this are very hard to keep up-to-date, especially in countries like Puerto Rico where businesses are easy-come-easy-go, and change owners constantly. We found big differences in restaurant qualities in several cases, and in others, eateries she recommends were dark and locked the whole time we were there. My advice is to check with your hotel concierge or call ahead rather than depending on any guidebook when making dining choices.

The author also exaggerates the wonders of the Ruta Panoramica and various state parks in the central mountains. Some of the reservas forestales were total junk yards with burned out auto hulks literally every 300 yards for miles on end, and loads of roadside litter (alas, typical of Puerto Rico.) This is not to say that a drive through the mountains of Puerto Rico is not a must-do, because it is, but just be prepared for a big dose of reality that the author choses not to mention. Lift your chin high and enjoy the flora and fauna (mainly roosters wandering all over the road, with the occasional paso fino horse, with a long-leggedy bareback rider on board) and the gorgeous views in the distance.

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Had him as a teacher
A five rating, but with a footnote.
Not just for Puerto Ricans.....
A book that needs to be a major part of contemporary America

From Bomba to Hip-Hop
Juan Flores
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Divided Borders: Essays on Puerto Rican Identity
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ASIN: 0231110774

Book Description

Neither immigrants nor ethnics, neither foreign nor "hyphenated Americans" in the usual sense of that term, Puerto Ricans in New York have created a distinct identity both on the island of Puerto Rico and in the cultural landscape of the United States. Juan Flores considers the uniqueness of Puerto Rican culture and identity in relation to that of other Latino groups in the United States -- as well as to other minority groups, especially African Americans. Architecture and urban space, literary traditions, musical styles, and cultural movements provide some of the sites and moments of a cultural world defined by the interplay of continuity and transformation, heritage and innovation, roots and fusion. Exploring this wide range of cultural expression -- both in the diaspora and in Puerto Rico -- Flores highlights the rich complexities and fertile contradictions of Latino identity.

Download Description

As the populations of Latin American and Caribbean background in the United States proliferate, it becomes all the more important to understand the distinctions among nationalities and regional groups. To this end, Juan Flores investigates the historical experience of Puerto Ricans in New York. He reflects on varied areas of cultural expression by Puerto Ricans in the diaspora against the background of contemporary debates in Puerto Rico and recent developments in cultural theory. Close studies of urban space and performance, popular musical styles, and Nuyorican literature highlight the complexities and contradictions of Latino identity.

Customer Reviews:

Had him as a teacher.......2007-01-12

If you're at all interested in Latin American culture you'll love this book and he's an amazing person. He'll tal kto you forever about the subject and he's highly intelligent.

A five rating, but with a footnote........2000-12-13

While Juan Flores is perceptive in his discussion of the Puerto Rican component of Latino culture, and discusses other major critics like Perez Firmat and Stavans, I was frankly surprised not to see any discussion of William Luis's Dance Between Two Cultures: Latino Caribbean Literature Written in the United States, which in my estimation is as important as those written by the critics Flores discusses. The value of Luis's study is that he addresses the same Puerto Rican community mentioned in Flores' book, but Luis also contextualizes this community by considering its relation to the Cuban and Dominican components of Latino culture. Anyone interested in understanding Latino literature and culture should also read Dance Between Two Cultures, which contains perceptive readings of Latino Caribbean literature unavailable in any other study.

Not just for Puerto Ricans............2000-10-28

The title of Mr. Flores' book might be a little deceiving for those who are not familiar with the subject matter. Mr. Flores uses music as a jumping off point for some very thought provoking themes that pertain (in my opinion) to all Latino's. Juan Flores goes from scholarly themes like colonialism to thoughts on the funeral of Cortijo and the history of the Boogaloo phenomena in New York City.

Mr. Flores makes you stop and think, then think again about issues you may have had preconceived notions about. I really enjoyed being challenged intellectually as I read this book.

I recently attended a lecture/performance (at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York City) of "From Bomba to Hip-Hop" conducted by Mr. Flores, music historian Rene Lopez and Mike Wallace (who won a Pulitzer Prize for his book, "Gotham.") True to form, it was a very unique, educational and entertaining experience.

A book that needs to be a major part of contemporary America.......2000-09-24

As a beginning graduate student in Latina/o Studies, I have been asking myself a simple question over and over: "Where have I been?" I have gone through public education in the United States for 17 years of my life, and have only recently found that there have been people writing since the start of the 1900s about the issues, experiences, struggles, and passions that I have thought were uniquely mine. Piri Thomas published _Down These Mean Streets_ in 1967. I just read it this past summer, my mother--right after I gave it to her. And the thought that has wondered in is, "why wasn't I told about his book earlier?" Is Piri Thomas' experience, a bond with African American culture that Juan Flores addresses in his book, such a marginal experience in American life, that it took a suggestion by Amazon.com for a man with 4 years of university education to be aware of the book? As the population of Latino/as in the United States grows to the levels of being the largest minority group in the country, there will have to be a shifting of Latina/o literature, theory, and any cultural products from the margins of American life to the center contemporary discussion. It is these products that Juan Flores probes and analyses with keen insight that places the Puerto Rican aspect of the Latino experience into mainstream intellectual thought. From "the Madonna incident" in Puerto Rico, to the ties that Puerto Ricans have with Hip-Hop, and the current status of Puerto Rico that he sadly calls a "Lite Colony," Flores' book is one that should be read by anyone interested in the affairs of American culture.

Caribbean Architecture: Exclusive Designs by Gianfranco Fini in Marina Casa de Campo

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Great BOOK !!!
Caribbean Elegance
A place to visit before you dies.
The Best Keep Secret in the Caribbean unveils.

Caribbean Architecture: Exclusive Designs by Gianfranco Fini in Marina Casa de Campo
Giancarlo Gardin; Massimo Rosati
Manufacturer: Archideos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Caribbean Elegance
Island Style: Tropical Dream Houses in Indonesia
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Bali Houses: New Wave Asian Architecture and Design
Tropical Modern

ASIN: 8887653089
Release Date: 2006-11-15

Product Description

This is a book that for the first time opens the doors to the public of the Marina at the luxurious gated community and Resort Casa de Campo in the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic. It is one of a king peace of art printed and bounded in Italy, with more than 300 breathtaking full color photographs and original drawing throughout. The book is a first class guided tour of the Marina at Casa de Campo in the hands of its creator, the architect Gianfranco Fini. Stunning aerial views, with never before seeing original drawings that will allow you enter into the mind of the architect to see the way of living that he was planning to create and vivid pictures of it actual beauty and style. The full size pictures throughout the book portrays a whole range of Caribbean style an elegant properties from inside out, from chic waterfront apartments and townhouses of less than 2,000 sqf. to magnificent Villas and Mansions above the 16,000 sqf. The foreword by Eduardo Martinez Lima (Central Romana Corporation CEO) will tell you the story of how two entrepreneurs convince them from an architectural and business point to build the Marina. Carmen Ortega (Arquitexto Magazine Editor) will introduce you to the Dominican Republic and Casa de Campo, while Carlo Montanaro (Editor of Dove, Dove Case and Style) will show you the way of living in the all year round summer at the Restaurants, Yacht Club, Art Galleries and, seaside houses of this luxurious destination.

Customer Reviews:

Great BOOK !!!.......2007-04-29

If you want to know more about architecture in the Caribbean, you have to read this book!

Caribbean Elegance.......2007-04-11

Through his work at la Marina, Casa de Campo, Gian Franco Fini captures the essence of refined architecture with a perfect air of Caribbean elegance.

A place to visit before you dies........2007-04-10

This is a book about one of those magical places that once you get there you don't want to leave. It's in the path of boats coming from Miami to the West Indies and is the place to see in the Caribbean before you die. Casa de Campo is the Caribbean most complete resort by far where any possible hobby in the world could practiced at world renowned conditions -besides skiing, except if you change it for water-sky-. The book about the Casa de Campo's Marina is definitely a 5 start in class, quality and content. This is the real thing in Caribbean Elegance and Luxury where you'll be able to find some of the most exclusive houses in the region.

The Best Keep Secret in the Caribbean unveils........2007-03-02

This is the only book available about Marinas from an architectural standpoint. Blueprints, sketches and more than 300 full-color pictures are a never ending source for one of the most luxurious approach to Caribbean Architecture. It's about the renowned Marina at Casa de Campo, La Romana, Dominican Republic and is a must for anyone willing see from the inside out as many options as possible to recreate a tropical paradise despite if it's and apartment or a houses under 2,000 sqf or a masterpiece above 20,000 sqf.
In contrast with W.R. Blain's book for "Marina Developments" -That is an excellent and maybe the only book about Marinas from a structural standpoint- this one is an architectural approach to Marinas and all the elements around it such as Yacht Club, Apartments, Houses, Restaurants and all related services. It's full of details and references in a text that is catchy and easy to read. My only concern was that I thought it was pricy in the first place despite that it was printed and bounded in Italy, but Blain's book is above the $250 and this one is more related to interior design and architecture so it's worth 5 out 5 starts.

Puerto Rican Poverty and Migration: We Just Had to Try Elsewhere

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Puerto Rican Poverty and Migration: We Just Had to Try Elsewhere
Julio Morales
Manufacturer: Praeger Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0275920208

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