In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

Amazon.com

The appeal of Dava Sobel's Longitude was, in part, that it illuminated a little-known piece of history through a series of captivating incidents and engaging personalities. Nathaniel Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea is certainly cast from the same mold, examining the 19th-century Pacific whaling industry through the arc of the sinking of the whaleship Essex by a boisterous sperm whale. The story that inspired Herman Melville's classic Moby-Dick has a lot going for it--derring-do, cannibalism, rescue--and Philbrick proves an amiable and well-informed narrator, providing both context and detail. We learn about the importance and mechanics of blubber production--a vital source of oil--and we get the nuts and bolts of harpooning and life aboard whalers. We are spared neither the nitty-gritty of open boats nor the sucking of human bones dry.

By sticking to the tried and tested Longitude formula, Philbrick has missed a slight trick or two. The epicenter of the whaling industry was Nantucket, a small island off Cape Cod; most of the whales were in the Pacific, necessitating a huge journey around the southernmost tip of South America. We never learn why no one ever tried to create an alternative whaling capital somewhere nearer. Similarly, Philbrick tells us that the story of the Essex was well known to Americans for decades, but he never explores how such legends fade from our consciousness. Philbrick would no doubt reply that such questions were beyond his remit, and you can't exactly accuse him of skimping on his research. By any standard, 50 pages of footnotes impress, though he wears his learning lightly. He doesn't get bogged down in turgid detail, and his narrative rattles along at a nice pace. When the storyline is as good as this, you can't really ask for more. --John Crace, Amazon.co.uk

Book Description

The ordeal of the whaleship Essex was an event as mythic in the nineteenth century as the sinking of the Titanic was in the twentieth. In 1819, the Essex left Nantucket for the South Pacific with twenty crew members aboard. In the middle of the South Pacific the ship was rammed and sunk by an angry sperm whale. The crew drifted for more than ninety days in three tiny whaleboats, succumbing to weather, hunger, disease, and ultimately turning to drastic measures in the fight for survival. Nathaniel Philbrick uses little-known documents-including a long-lost account written by the ship's cabin boy-and penetrating details about whaling and the Nantucket community to reveal the chilling events surrounding this epic maritime disaster. An intense and mesmerizing read, In the Heart of the Sea is a monumental work of history forever placing the Essex tragedy in the American historical canon.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2007-09-24

I am a big skeptic when I read these types of books. I always assume the author is filling in the substantial blanks in the story with his own interpretation & fluff. I did not feel that way with this authors version of the story.

The story was really entertaining. It was a page turner that kept me up too late on work nights. I think I read the last 1/3 of it without putting it down.

Highly recommended. You will learn a lot about whaling and Nantucket, both of which I surprisingly found captivating.

A Captivating Read........2007-08-17

Knowing that this was not a fictional story added an element of intensity as I read this book. Truthfully, this would have made for good fictional reading as well. I enjoyed the character development and the way in which the story was told. I was on the edge of my seat, and looking forward to getting to the book every morning while reading this. In the Mr. Philbrick's words, "The Essex disaster is not a tale of adventure. It is a tragedy that happens to be one of the the greatest true stories ever told."

one of the best maritime disaster books I've ever read.......2007-08-13

What a fantastic story told in a fascinating way. I've read many books about maritime disasters, and this one has gone to the top of the list. Nathaniel Philbrick is a great story-teller and meticulous researcher. I'm very, very impressed.

great book!!!.......2007-08-04

Wow, this is a great book. The author is very skilled in telling historical facts and journal entries but into a story that is easy to read, full of factual informative information, and has great structure. If you like this book I would definitely suggest reading "Skeletons in the Sahara" another phenomenal book, it's not written by Nathaniel Philbrick, but also another amazing author who tells a tragic story of a crew and his captain lost at sea near Africa and the story of the few that survived.

I also bought Nathaniel Philbrick's Mayflower but haven't had a chance to read it yet but look forward to doing so now since i've read In the Heart of the sea.

If only I could give this six stars!!.......2007-07-10

This is a phenomenal book. I am putting it in my top five. It is that rare bit of nonfiction that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I am an avid horror reader, and although technically this book doesn't fit that genre, I am making a place for it on my horror shelf. This truly is a tragedy, and the depths of Captain Pollard's misfortune is staggering. Granted he wasn't a "fishy man," but he is a character you rooted for. Chase, more captain than first mate, was the true leader. He kept an almost obsessive watch over the rations and kept his battered boat in sailing shape despite the seemingly insurmountable odds set before his crew. This is an outstanding book. Philbrick is an excellent writer. I particularly like the way he handled the explanation of starvation and the effects on the psyche. I've heard some call the section about cannibalism gruesome, and it was, but in order to understand the sheer power of this tragedy, it was tactfully and, I think, brilliantly handled in this regard by Philbrick.

Kudos to the author and kudos to the lucky reader who picks up this book!

Average customer rating:

Alright for a text book
typical college text
The best place to start to learn about Mexico's History
First-Rate History
Best book on Mexican History

The Course of Mexican History
Michael C. Meyer , William L. Sherman , and Susan M. Deeds
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Mexico | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Mexico Reader: History, Culture, Politics (The Latin America Readers)
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The Underdogs
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ASIN: 0195148193

Book Description

Mexico's political, social, and economic landscapes have shifted in very striking ways in recent years, and the country now moves cautiously into the twenty-first century. The Course of Mexican History has been updated and revised to address these remarkable transformations. This seventh edition offers a completely up-to-date, lively, and engaging survey from pre-Columbian times to the present. New sections cover the dramatic 2000 election of Vicente Fox to the presidency of Mexico; the privatization of state-owned enterprises and the concept of the free market; and the reaction of the communities of rural Mexico to this economic "progress." Lavishly illustrated throughout, the text features 250 photographs and drawings, and 14 maps for easy reference. The leading textbook in its field, The Course of Mexican History is indispensable for students interested in Mexican history, politics, economics, and culture.

Customer Reviews:

Alright for a text book.......2007-05-15

Had to buy this book for a Modern Mexican History class, so I only read the chapters dealing with Mexican history from the end of the colonial period through the end of the book. What I read was interesting, brief and to the point as a text book should be. However, I would not enjoy just sitting down and reading it for fun.

typical college text.......2007-03-14

This is a general narrative summary of Mexican history. It is not very deep on anything, has few direct quotes from primary materials, but it's organized fairly well. For the beginner - or college student who is not very intellectually ambitious or curious - it's OK. For anyone else, I'd advise buying the really excellent Mexico Reader, Duke Univ Press, edited by Gil Joseph et al. The Mexico Reader is a terrific compendium of original sources covering all the same periods and can be used as a complement or in place of this book.

The best place to start to learn about Mexico's History .......2007-03-05

Growning up in a "Mexican" household with parents that did not teach me Spanish or much about Mexico's history, culture and roots has left me with a thirst to find out more about Mexico. I am so happy that I stumbled upon this book. This is a book that is easy to read. This was actually the book that I started with in my pursuit to find out more about Mexico's culture and history. This is also where I would advise anyone else to start.

From this book you will learn about Mexico's early Indian civilizations through the Aztecs and the Spanish Conquest all the way to the colonial era through the revolution and independence of Mexico, and post-1940 era. If you want to learn more about Mexico's history you will also find recommended readings at the end of each chaper of this book. I highly recommend this book.

First-Rate History.......2007-02-25

Easy to read, remarkably free from academic cant, with suggestions for further reading placed conveniently at the end of each chaper, this is undoubtedly the best one-volume history of Mexico available. A good place to start for anyone interested in the subject.

Best book on Mexican History.......2006-12-18

Sherman, Myers and Deeds have the best book on Mexican history that can be found. It covers all aspects from the social and cultural to the military and political. It is very well written with plenty of pictures so you can visualize what happened at each point. The analysis is truly top notch and one of the great assets of this book is the wonderful suggested reading at the end of each chapter. It really allows you to learn all about Mexico and then go back and read further on the parts you find the most interesting. This is an essential book for any latin American history library and one that will live on throughout the ages. It is updated regularly although any edition is a great start to learning about Mexico. Whether you are an expert or a beginner you will find this book useful.

Average customer rating:

A rich tapestry of a story with flat characters
Great book
Fascinating.
I Couldn't Finish It
Fabulous!

The Hummingbird's Daughter
Luis Alberto Urrea
Manufacturer: Back Bay Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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The Devil's Highway: A True Story
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ASIN: 0316154520

Book Description

Miracles and passion abound in this mesmerizing novelhailed everywhere as a masterworkthe story of a remarkable young womans sudden sainthood in the revolutionary-era Mexico of the late 19th century.

Customer Reviews:

A rich tapestry of a story with flat characters.......2007-10-17

Urrea is a virtuoso in the use of descriptive language. His story brings to life a rich tapestry of life in the Mexico of Porfirio Diaz. The book oscillates between the rational outlook of Tomas, patron of the estate on which the story is set and the world of magical realism which Teresita, his daughter and the protagonist of the novel, inhabits. Magical realism in Latin American literature can sometimes border on being inaccessible to readers of different cultures, but here it is essential to the storyline and effectively draws the reader into the world of the local people. Unfortunately, the characters in the book are decidedly flat. Despite the marvelous descriptions of the physical world in the novel, Urrea fails to portray the inner lives of his characters in a convincing way. This leads to key junctures in the plot becoming almost uninterpretable. We are left wondering what has motivated the sudden decision by the promiscuous Tomas, who has previously been completely heedless of the fate of the children he has fathered, to adopt one of them while rejecting another. The reader's surprise at this turn of events becomes astonishment when later in the book that same son who was rejected is suddenly given charge of the estate. Many of the events of the book take the reader by surprise because of a lack of character development. Nevertheless, the story is an enjoyable read, and a fascinating window into the world of 19th Century Mexico.

Great book.......2007-09-20

Like many have said in their reviews so far, the story was very hard to start, especially for myself. I generally read from a different genre of fiction, and my wife told me that it was a must read. It took me a while to actually get into the story, and once I did, I could not put it down. Give it a chance, and you will not be sorry.

Fascinating........2007-09-18

Great book. Mythical and quite Latin in its writing, with lots of fantasy, but very grounded in some "rational" characters versus "magical" ones. Beautiful prose.

I Couldn't Finish It.......2007-09-10

I picked up The Hummingbird's Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea and I put it back down again after 100 pages. I just could NOT get into this book. I could not care about the characters. It should be easy to care about Thersea/Terista, but I couldn't do it. Obviously, I am in the minority of reviewers. This book has received so many good reviews that I can't help but think maybe it is me. Maybe I was not in the right mood to read this book, regardless, this is one of the very few books I have refused to continue reading.

The book seems to have a good story, but it is the writer's style that annoyed me to the point of putting it down. If the book is praised for its descriptiveness than apparently being descriptive is only about writing ten different ways to say the same thing. I could not feel the words to this book. I did not know what the characters felt. I knew that Treista was beat and thrown to spend the night with the pigs, but I did not know how the mud felt against her skin, what the temperature was like outside. What parts of her body hurt? How she felt about her aunt? These are the things I want to know when I read a book, these are the descriptions that carry me into a book and out of my living room/metra train. This is why I couldn't finish the book. With more showing than telling I never felt like I knew any of the characters and even worse, after 100 pages, I didn't care to know them.

Fabulous!.......2007-08-11

Great book! It has everything a great book could possibly include. Loved every minute. It dragged a bit at the end but generally was a wonderful reading experience. I miss this book.

Gringos in Paradise: An American Couple Builds Their Retirement Dream House in a Seaside Village in Mexico

Average customer rating:

I couldn't have said it better myself!
One of the best of its genre
An Epic Mexican Feast That's Wonderfully Nourishing ...
Mexican House Building How-To in story format...sort of
Enjoyable read

Gringos in Paradise: An American Couple Builds Their Retirement Dream House in a Seaside Village in Mexico
Barry Golson
Manufacturer: Scribner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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General | Personal Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Mexico | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

Emigration & Immigration | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Cashing In on a Second Home in Mexico: How to Buy, Rent and Profit from Property South of the Border
The Plain Truth about Living in Mexico: The Expatriate's Guide to Moving, Retiring, or just hanging out
Living Abroad in Mexico (Living Abroad)
Falling...in Love with San Miguel: Retiring to Mexico on Social Security
Head for Mexico: The Renegade Guide

ASIN: 0743276353

Book Description

A Year in Provence meets Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House in this lively and entertaining account of a couple's year building their dream house in Mexico.

In 2004, Barry Golson wrote an award-winning article for AARP magazine about Mexican hot spots for retirees longing for a lifestyle they couldn't afford in the United States. A year later, he and his wife Thia were taking part in the growing trend of retiring abroad. They sold their Manhattan apartment, packed up their SUV, and moved to one of those idyllic hot spots, the surfing and fishing village of Sayulita on Mexico's Pacific coast.

With humor and charm, Golson details the year he and his wife spent settling into their new life and planning and building their dream home. Sayulita -- population 1,500, not including stray dogs or pelicans -- is a never-dull mixture of traditional Mexican customs and new, gringo-influenced change. Before long, the Golsons had been absorbed into the rhythms and routines of village life: they adopted a pair of iguanas named Iggy Pop and Iggy Mom, got sick and got cured by a doctor who charged them sixteen dollars a visit, made lasting friends with Mexicans and fellow expatriates, and discovered the skill and artistry of local craftsmen.

But their daily lives were mostly dedicated to the difficult yet satisfying process of building their house. It took them almost six months to begin building -- nothing is simple (or speedy) in Mexico -- and incredibly, they completed construction in another six. They engaged a Mexican architect, builder, and landscape designer who not only built their home but also changed their lives; encountered uproariously odd bureaucracy; and ultimately experienced a lifetime's worth of education about the challenges and advantages of living in Mexico.

The Golsons lived (and are still living) the dream of many -- not only of going off to a tropical paradise but also of building something beautiful, becoming a part of a new world, making lasting friends, and transforming their lives. As much about family and friendship as about house-building, Gringos in Paradise is an immensely readable and illuminating book about finding a personal paradise and making it a home.

Customer Reviews:

I couldn't have said it better myself!.......2007-08-16

Having just completed out first year living in a different small seaside town in Mexico, I can attest to the authenticity of Barry and Thia's experiences and appreciate their outlook on living in Mexico. I found myself following my husband around, reading passages out loud to him, i.e., "You've got to hear this!" Golson does an especially good job of describing the naivete with which they (and we) began the experience and the incremental ways they learned to love a side of Mexico you can only experience as a resident.

The hopes and the frustrations involved in building a home here are accurately and humorously described. But for me, the real value of this book is the unpretentious way he describes the development of their deep affection for Mexico and Mexicans. My husband and I have reached the same conclusions, through a series of experiences that are very similar to theirs.

If you are considering a move to Mexico, this is an instructive read - not so much for the information about homebuilding (although it IS helpful and accurate) but more for the story of acclimation to a culture that is SO much more different than you could ever imagine.

Many authors have taken advantage of the growing trend to move south and we have read most of them. Along with Don Adam's book (Head for Mexico), this is the one I would recommend.

One of the best of its genre.......2007-08-14

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Golson writes in a witty, down-to-earth style that engages the reader and leaves you wanting more. So many of the "American moves to paradise" authors come off as either arrogant or complaining know-it-alls. Barry Golson is neither, and his zest for participating in the very life of his adopted second home is refreshing. A great read.

An Epic Mexican Feast That's Wonderfully Nourishing ..........2007-07-23

...and has something for everyone. I can't say enough good things about this book: the writing style is unfailingly crisp, droll, and punchy; it is a love paean to Mexico, its people, culture, and history; it is a wonderful story of a 'boomer' couple's marriage and resolution of the quandary aging couples face over what to do when the nest is empty, but the nest egg is modest and forced retirement looms. It is filled with lots of wisdom about home building and expat living. It builds up hilarious suspense over whether or not the author's 90-year-old father and a bevy of other relatives, all invited to celebrate Thanksgiving at the not-quite-finished house, will be forced to improvise out back for lack of operable plumbing. Even if you're not interested in Mexico, retirement, or homebuilding, you will be utterly charmed by this stranger-in-a-strange-land saga that every human faces sooner or later.

Mexican House Building How-To in story format...sort of.......2007-07-04

This is a great story of how an American couple built their Mexican dream house in Sayulita, Mexico near Puerto Vallarta. While it's not a Mexican house building how-to, it does give you an idea of what you'll have to go through to build an authentic Mexican house on your own. Hopefully, you'll have a good experience as this couple did and not like the one described in God and Mr. Gomez.

Enjoyable read.......2007-05-21

Great story on early retirement in Mexico, especially the pros and cons of buying a home south of the border.

The Conquest of New Spain (Penguin Classics)

Average customer rating:

The Greatest Adventure of all Time
Great Eyewitness account
Amazing first person historical account
Every mexican and american in the west should read this.
A great history of Mexico

The Conquest of New Spain (Penguin Classics)
Bernal Diaz del Castillo
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Mexico | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

Spain | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico
Letters from Mexico
Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies
The Four Voyages: Being His Own Log-Book, Letters and Dispatches with Connecting Narratives.. (Penguin Classics)
Conquest: Cortes, Montezuma, and the Fall of Old Mexico

ASIN: 0140441239

Customer Reviews:

The Greatest Adventure of all Time.......2007-05-26

When I first read the 1800 English translation, I could not put it down. Here are the first lines--a real grabbers! "In the year 1514, I left Castile (Spain) in company with Pedro Arias de Avila, who was then appointed governor of Tierra Firma (east Panama)...but afterwards suspicious that his son-in-law had an intention of revolting, he caused him to be beheaded."

Bernal's description of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan is amazing: "To many of us it appeared doubtful whether we were asleep of awake; nor is the manner in which I express myself to be wondered at, for it must be considered, that never yet did man see, hear or dream of anything equal to the spectacle which appeared to our eyes on this day."

And how about this magnificent line: "And now, let who can, tell me, where are men in this world to be found, except ourselves, who would have hazarded such an attempt."

And here is the horrific vision the Spaniards beheld when they climbed to the top of the great Aztec temple-pyramid. Remember that nearby, and looming up like a nightmare, was the stupendous "tzompantli," or skull rack. By careful Spanish count, it contained the grinning remains of 136,000 human beings.

"In this place they had a drum of most enormous size, the head of which was made of the skins of large serpents: this instrument when struck resounded with a noise that could be heard to the distance of two leagues, and so doleful that it deserved to be named the music of the infernal regions; and with their horrible sounding horns and trumpets, their great knives for sacrifice, their human victims, and their blood besprinkled altars, I devoted them, and all their wickedness to God's vengeance, and thought that the time would never arrive, that I should escape from this scene of human butchery, horrible smells, and more detestable sights."

The Conquest takes on a different color when seen through the eyes of the Spanish. Yes, they were greedy and cruel, but the scale of human sacrifice practiced by the Aztecs was beyond imagination. It is said that some twenty thousand people were sacrificed for the dedication of the Temple of the Sun. The Aztec priests worked for hours on end cutting out human hearts. They worked until they collapsed from exhaustion.

Bernal's history is also interesting for another entirely different reason. Joseph Smith (born 1805), the Mormon prophet, came of age during the period of English translations of Spanish histories (Bernal's in 1800 in London, and 1803 in the US, and Clevigero's "History of Mexico" in 1806 in Virginia and 1817 in Philadelphia).

Therefore, the golden splendor of the Spanish conquests of Mexico and Peru was fresh on everyone's mind, especially because the Spanish colony of Florida had become an American state (1821).

Thus, any notion that Americans were unaware of the great civilizations of ancient America is without foundation in real history. Ancient civilizations in America were so on the mind of people that in 1816, Solomon Spaulding wrote a history about a white and dark race in ancient America. His novel, "Manuscript Found," had the white race of mound builders destroyed by a darker-skin race.

Read my review of Robert Silverberg's magnificent book, "The Mound Builders of Ancient America: The Archaeology of a Myth." A must-read for anyone interested in the archaeology and myths about ancient America. Click here: Mound Builders

Great Eyewitness account.......2006-12-28

Diaz was one of the soldiers who accompanied Cortez to invade the Aztec Empire. His account is one of the best we have of the whole affair. It is not written with much bias and was written to discount historical myths after the invasion had taken place. It is very analytical at times and his analysis of what happened is given added authority since he was present at the events. If you want to understand what happened this is a great book to read.

Amazing first person historical account.......2006-02-15

First person historical accounts are generally the best way to read history and have it come alive in the mind of the reader. This book by Bernal Diaz is certainly no exception to that rule. Although Diaz wrote this much later in life, and doubtless his memory was not perfect, it is obvious that the experience of marching with Cortez in the conquest of the Aztec empire left innumerable vivid memories in his mind.

I am very sensitive to the fact that the conquest of the Aztec empire and other native empires in the Americas left a horrific legacy which is still felt dramatically throughout the hemisphere. Despite the fact that in many ways, the conquistadors should not be considered "heroes," I think we still can admire and be awed by their courage and fortitude in the face of unbelievable odds in facing the Aztecs and not only escaping with their lives, but eventually conquering the entire civilization. Diaz brings these events to life better than any history book I ever read, and I highly commend this book to anyone interested in the history of this period, of Mexico, or Latin America in general.

Every mexican and american in the west should read this........2005-09-25

most mexican-pride types haven't hit this book. if they did they would be greatly enlightened by the fact that mexico was not a united nation from campeche to oregon. the aztecs subjugated their neighbors just like the mexico city elite subjugate the common mexican to this day. this is one of the best books i've ever read and if you plan to visit mexico city it is a must-read if you want to have any basic understanding of modern mexico city and mexico in general. read it.

A great history of Mexico.......2005-07-25

This is the classic book on the history of the conquest of Mexico. Bernal Diaz fought on the front lines of Cortez's war, and he reports everything well in this book.

While Diaz may have been a great soldier, he was an awful writer. He wrote this book as he was aging well after he returned home to Spain. In his original edition, there were hundreds of pages of rambling personal attacks against various people in his life. As a result, Penguin has heavily edited this edition -- it's only about half the size of the original. However, the book is greatly improved this way, and Penguin's version is very easy to read and never gets boring.

Of course, Diaz doesn't have many negitive things to say about the Conquest, and he was a true believer in the religious mission of the conquistadors. Diaz essentially makes genocide seem not so bad. Read Bartolome de las Casas' books to balance out some of the propaganda contained in this book.

Latin America: A Social History of the Colonial Period (with InfoTrac®)

Average customer rating:

Latin America: A Social History of the Colonial Period (with InfoTrac®)
Jonathan C. Brown
Manufacturer: Wadsworth Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Mexico | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Social History | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Human Tradition in Colonial Latin America (Human Tradition Around the World, No. 5.)
Resilient Cultures: America's Native Peoples Confront European Colonization, 1500-1800
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Good Faith and Truthful Ignorance: A Case of Transatlantic Bigamy
The Faces of Honor: Sex, Shame, and Violence in Colonial Latin America (Dialogos Series)

ASIN: 0534642330

Book Description

LATIN AMERICA: A SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE COLONIAL PERIOD covers Latin America's pre-Colombian and colonial periods, including its civil war and struggle for independence. The textbook presents Latin American history from the "bottom up,"emphasizing the stories of indigenous peoples, African slaves, and mixed-race workers and peasants. The cultural diversity and racial mixture unique to the colonial experience are expressed in illustrations, tables, charts, and up-to-date bibliographies, as well as in the many historical documents that depict the contributions of ordinary people.

Average customer rating:

A Must Read About Illegal Immigrants
tired...
A personal and factual analysis
Mixed Mexages in CA Immigration Critique
So, you want to learn something about immigration?

Mexifornia : A State of a Becoming
Victor Davis Hanson
Manufacturer: Encounter Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Mexico | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Emigration & Immigration | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

An Autumn of War: What America Learned from September 11 and the War on Terrorism
Carnage and Culture: Landmark Battles in the Rise to Western Power
Why the West Has Won
America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It
The Soul of Battle: From Ancient Times to the Present Day, How Three Great Liberators Vanquished Tyranny

ASIN: 1594030561

Book Description

This book is part history, part political analysis and part memoir. It is an intensely personal book about what has changed in California over the last quarter century.

Customer Reviews:

A Must Read About Illegal Immigrants.......2007-08-15

Victor Davis Hanson presents a compelling story of what is happening in California as huge numbers of illegal immigrants flood the state bringing changes that are truly disturbing.

tired..........2007-07-01

the first 50 pages were OK but downhill from there.
these are the tired rantings of a liberal who now realizes the failings of that mindset... but now it's too late. the author seems to think that picking grapes is some sort of noble undertaking and that manual labor is superior to his real job--- college professor.
now that the predictable chickens have come home to roost (mexican invasion, more welfare for illegal immigrants and overloaded hospitals full of thirld-worlders, he is SHOCKED!!SHOCKED!! that there is gambling going on at Ricks in Casablanca...
mediocre bathroom reading at best.

A personal and factual analysis.......2007-06-09

Hanson's well-written book demonstrates that complex and controversial topics can be discussed with passion, compassion, and respect. He writes about how legal and illegal immigrants have changed and are changing California into Mexifornia, a blend of two nations and peoples. I ordered extra copies to circulate among friends.

Mixed Mexages in CA Immigration Critique.......2007-04-17

Author Hanson takes a revealing look at the changing face of California and flawlessly paints a clear but rather glum picture for its future prospects. In doing so, he makes no odious judgments on the incredible numbers of immigrants and illegal immigrants going into the state; but make no mistake about it, he's not happy with the upcoming possibilities.

He thoughtfully examines both sides of the issue in this brief but concise work. The immigrants have reason to want to leave Mexico; and the USA has major (economic) reasons for wanting them here. Hanson goes back and forth on the split throughout the book. He employs clarifying personal anecdotes on the subject, and sets himself as both for and against immigration into the state and into the USA.

I guess because he's part of the faculty at CSU, he has a habit of clouding the issue with occasional heavy history, professorial-like long-winded sentences, high-rent words, foreign expressions, and many, many references to people most have never heard of. The author writes, "...even though all the protocols of American public schools, from secularism and free speech to tolerance and rationalism, had no pedigree in Tenochtitlán!" What's he talking about!? Too many times in this material, Hanson says in 25 words what other authors might say in 12. -Which makes for some rough reading now and again.

"We had all seen the demons within our very serves on the Darwinian playground and knew that their exorcism was the work of all good citizens." Really?! Getting past some of the vague and cumbersome references was sometimes a chore. How much did I miss by drawing blanks whenever the author went into his Department of Classics lecture-hall mode?

Page for page, it's never exactly clear where the author stands on immigration. That's because he's taken a masterful objective look at the subject. Even so, he's convinced something needs to be done (fast) to reverse accruing problems due to the unsound growing people condition in California. Many times he critically describes this side of the issue, then in a surprising hairpin turnaround (often in the same paragraph!), he explains "the other" point of view. About the great migration from the South, Hanson's hopeful. Even with all the needed re-do and re-tuning by government, education, the media, employers, social engineers, and the rest, he seems to be saying, as of now: "It's all good." ... or, I guess: "es todo bueno."

Plenty of fresh slants on the subject. Good up-close look. From both sides of the fence.

So, you want to learn something about immigration?.......2007-02-20

I think this is a fantastic book. A must read for anyone interested in learning more about legal or illegal immigration from Mexico and other points south of our border.

What impressed me was the background of the author, several generations of working the land in central California and a faculty member of a major university.

He has some interesting points to make in, generally, an easy to read style. He does get "deep" in a few spots but very few and nothing to ruin an enjoyable and educational read. I am also a university faculty member and live in south-central Texas and maybe that influenced my read a bit. However, I believe anyone could benefit from reading the book, whichever side of the topic you may be on.

One of his very interesting points is how immigration of Mexicans in the past, say the 1950s, is different than today..and why it is so. Another interesting point is how the Atlantic ocean has played a major role in how immigration has worked in the past.

I've promised to lend the book to several people...but I want it back. In fact, once I finished it, I immediately turned to the opening and started to re-read it. Not something I've done too often with books.

In Search of Captain Zero: A Surfer's Road Trip Beyond the End of the Road

Average customer rating:

What an unbelievable book!
Not much insight, but an entertaining read
Read it over (and over and over)
Ride the Wave
A profound journey

In Search of Captain Zero: A Surfer's Road Trip Beyond the End of the Road
Allan Weisbecker
Manufacturer: Tarcher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Authors | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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Travel | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

History of Sports | Miscellaneous | Sports | Subjects | Books
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Cosmic Banditos
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Zen & Zero
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Caught Inside: A Surfer's Year on the California Coast

ASIN: 1585421774
Release Date: 2002-09-12

Amazon.com

In 1966, Allan Weisbecker "made a Manhattan run from the landlocked suburbs" to take in a siren-song movie called The Endless Summer, a documentary that depicted the carefree life of two beach bums who roamed the world in quest of the perfect wave. Weisbecker was hooked, and he became a hardcore wave rider, a fixture on the Long Island surf scene. With a friend, Christopher, he also undertook illegal ways to finance his passion, transporting drugs from exotic countries, a business only briefly interrupted when Christopher went off to Vietnam. There he took fire and came home scarred; something in him changed, and one day he simply vanished.

Weisbecker's book, a sort of gonzo detective story blended with travelogue and peppered with hang-10 jargon, does many things, all of them very well indeed. It offers up a vision of innocent times brought to ruin by war and drugs; it recounts his search for his lost friend, whose life had gone from bad to worse far away from home; and it affords a look inside the strange culture of surfing, whose masters "understood, in a visceral and soulful and inexpressible way, the machinations of the sea, and, by subtle inference, the universe at large."

Full of regret and exhilaration, Weisbecker's memoir is a fine chronicle of a dream gone sour and a friendship redeemed. --Gregory McNamee

Book Description

In 1996, Allan Weisbecker sold his home and his possessions, loaded his dog and surfboards into his truck, and set off in search of his long-time surfing companion, Patrick, who had vanished into the depths of Central America. In this rollicking memoir of his quest from Mexico to Costa Rica to unravel the circumstances of Patrick's disappearance, Weisbecker intimately describes the people he befriended, the bandits he evaded, the waves he caught and lost en route to finding his friend.

In Search of Captain Zero is, according to Outside magazine, "A subtly affecting tale of friendship and duty. [It] deserves a spot on the microbus dashboard as a hell of a cautionary tale about finding paradise and smoking it away."

Customer Reviews:

What an unbelievable book!.......2007-10-11

I've never enjoyed a book more than this one. I'm only a couple of years younger than the author, but I've been surfing for almost 40 years, and I devoured this book. Just the stories he tells would be enough, but in putting them all together, he accomplishes so much more.
When I went to SD in 1973 just out of HS, my roommate, an established La Jolla local, told me a story about the 1969 swell on the north shore and Jock Sutherland surfing by himself in the early AM (~1AM) on acid. Allan was there, retold the same story, and it's amazing how accurately I heard it back then. The smuggling stories were great, especially the snafu in NJ! The premise, the trip, the experiences, and the conclusions together made this an incredible reading experience. I wished that the book was twice as long. It's lucky that the person who had all of these experiences is such an outstanding thinker and writer.
My wife and I used to visit Costa Rica annually, but after reading the book I was inspired to expand my horizons. Rhoda (from Nebraska - NOT a surfer!) loved the book as much as I did. The changes in our lives that were a result of the perspectives gained from our reading Captain Zero have been profound and rewarding. I've been recommending the book since I read it in 2002. Most everyone shared my enthusiasm.
On a 26' panga with a 55 hp Yamaha headed up the coast of Nicaragua last month, a good friend who read Zero on my recommendation, favorably reviewed Allan's recently published Can't You Get Along With Anyone to the other five surfers on the boat. I look forward to reading CYGAWA as soon as Amazon delivers it.

Not much insight, but an entertaining read.......2007-10-09

Surfing is something different to all people, the author has his opinion, I have mine. I didn't find much insight into the human experience through the author's eyes, I perceived the lesson to be about karma, of which the main character shouldn't be surprised about his current state.

My opinion only, the book is entertaining. How can you go wrong with a book about surfing?

"Everybody must give something back for something they get."
-Bob Dylan

Read it over (and over and over).......2007-09-14

A wonderful book, evocative of end of the road towns and other equally compelling ideas. This could be a guidebook for various Central American hideaways, with perhaps some advice of a different nature thrown in. At one point or another, I've made nearly everyone I know read this book. And...it should be followed by "Can't You Get Along With Anyone." If at any time someone decides to put together a cannon of literature that addresses Central American surf spots, publishing, and the tricky nature of friendship, Weisbecker's "In Search of Captain Zero," and "Can't You Get Along With Anyone," must be included.

Ride the Wave.......2007-04-12

If you are at all interested in surfing, this journey of self discovery will grip you deep within its pages. You'll also gain insight on life as seen through surfing.

A profound journey.......2007-02-13

Whether or not you have ever attempted to surf, dreamt about it, or have made it a practice, I think that this book will speak to you. Should you know nothing about the culture at all, this book will make you feel as if you had been there all along. Weisbecker's style of writing draws you into the story in a very personal way, providing easy to understand epiphanes and philosophies, that seem entirely unique to Weisbecker. Yes, he has his flaws and stereotypes, but this only furthers to strengthen his character. After all how many people can claim not to have either of those things. Weisbecker presents profound views on life through surfing, and different experiences in his travel, that seem far more sophosticated than the stereotypical surfing mind, which would consist of pot, "bro", and of course, surfing.
Besides the development of Weisbecker himself during the story, and the more mental, and spiritual aspect of the book, the story is also a gripping tale, which leaves you wanting to turn the page. Each experience draws you in as you join Weisbecker in the search for his friend. I often found myself eagerly wondering what would happen next, from run-ins with bandidos, to finding a way to work a monster of a wave. What made each experience truely different however, was the reflection of each one afterwards, being able to see how Weisbecker was affected and/or changed.
So, if you are willing to look past the many drug related stories, and whatever flaws you may find, underneath is a compelling story and many valuable insights to life, which may make you want to take off on your own adventure.

Average customer rating:

Mexico
Lessons in a nutshell
Not one of his best
Mexico
Great read but not good for history

Mexico
James A. Michener
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Caribbean
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ASIN: 0679416498
Release Date: 1992-10-19

Book Description

"Astounding...Fast-moving, Intriguing...James Michener is back in huge, familiar form with MEXICO."
LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS
Here is the story of an American journalist who travels to Mexico to report on the upcoming duel between two great matadors, but who is ultimately swept up in the dramatic story of his Mexican ancestors. From the brutality and brilliance of the ancients, to the iron fist of the invading Spaniards, to the modern-day Mexicans battling through dust and bloodshed to build a nation upon the ashes of revolution, James Michener weaves it all into an epic human story that ranks with the best of his beloved, bestselling novels.
A MAIN SELECTION OF THE BOOK-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB

From the Paperback edition.

Customer Reviews:

Mexico.......2007-05-13

Havent had a chance to read this yet.But I like Michener's books.Thank you for sending it in good shape & in plenty of time.

Lessons in a nutshell.......2007-05-13

I have read this book a long time ago, but purchased it again for my husband to read. I keep going on and on about Michener and his books that I've had the opportunity to read.
I didn't really know all to much when I read the book, but once I was done, I sat down and thought about it. I also did more research on Mexico and it's history.
I think that the way he writes a story and includes facts that happened during the times he writes about gives me incentive to look further and find out more about the subject. I then accept or reject some of his information, but I have always learned something new from the book.

Not one of his best.......2007-05-10

Usually Michener books transport the reader to another place by tracing the development of the present day culture beginning in the far distant past, pausing along the way to indtroduce various characters and situations that are skillfully woven into the overall story. MEXICO does follow this general plan but is not done nearly as well as Michener has done in other works. The first half of the story drags along, the characters do not come to life leaving the reader to decide whether to press on or abandon the effort. The second half of the story is better, characters that were just sketchily drawn earlier are filled out as the story progresses making the effort to finish worthwhile.

The story is told primarily from the point of view of an American journalist with strong family ties to Mexico. He has returned to his family's Mexican home to cover a bullfighting festival. While writing his story he finds himself caught between his two worlds, that of Mexico and the United States.

This is definitely not one of Michener's best efforts. The plot drags, particularly in the first half of the book. The characters do not spring to life. The 'sport' of bullfighting is depicted as so corrupt, tawdry and violent as to be a great advertisement for PETA. Unless you just have to read everything Michener ever wrote skip this one.

Mexico.......2007-01-10

James Michener does an excellent job in researching the area he is writing about. I love the way he weaves a story around chronological events and continues with descendants of the characters he begins with. He certainly opened my eyes to a Mexico I had never known before. He does an excellent job of relating bullfighting to those who know nothing about it.

Great read but not good for history.......2006-11-11

Mexico is a great book if you're looking to cosy down by the fire for a novel, however, if you are more interested in finding out about the history of mexico, as I was, you will be sorely disappointed. Although there are many true factual points noted in this novel, there are make believe towns and sculptures and make believe names of people you feel are real, as is the case in all novels. I'm not spoiling anything by saying that I promise you. Overall it's a great book and written well but please remember it is a novel and if using as a tour guide for visiting Mexico or for relaying stories about Mexico you're better of getting a travel book.

Would recommend for a good story though.

Average customer rating:

Best book I have read in a while
engrossing
Wonderful
This is a Masterpiece
Rain of Gold

Rain of Gold
Víctor E. Villaseñor
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Authors | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Mexico | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

Thirteen Senses : A Memoir
Wild Steps of Heaven
Burro Genius : A Memoir
Macho!
Lluvia de oro

ASIN: 038531177X
Release Date: 1992-09-01

Book Description

Customer Reviews:

Best book I have read in a while.......2007-08-24

"Rain of Gold" was an absolutely brilliant novel! Once you start reading, you will stay up many nights to finish this book. The way Villasenor depicts every-day life, from the religious to the illegal aspects, is just amazing. Before I picked up this book, I did not know what I would be getting into. At first I thought that the idea of reading about a family that just immigrated from a war-torn Mexico into the United States would be dull. The book depicts what a movie or television could never depict; it expresses every thought and feeling of the main character, and the drama fails to disappoint. You will be filled with emotions along every chapter. READ THIS BOOK!

engrossing.......2007-07-11

For such a thick book, Rain of Gold moves amazingly fast. The characters are likeable, mostly, and the book presents the story of Mexico, Mexican families, and being a US immigrant from Mexico early in this century. I haven't had a chance to read many books that share this particular story, and this one was refreshing.

The author is proud of his family, and it shows. Rain of Gold fell short of making me cry or reconsider how I live, but it was thought-provoking. It's worth a read.

Wonderful.......2007-06-27

This book has been my favorite book for over ten years, since I read it in high school. The writing is so easy to read, yet rich and complex at the same time. Villasenor brings to life every member of his family so that the reader feels like a member as well. He also excels at making the extraordinary seem possible.

This is a Masterpiece.......2007-03-26

I read this book at least five years ago and at the time I thought it was one of the best books I ever read. I still do. I wrote a review of it then but somehow it has disappeared. Why did I love this book? First of all it is beautifully written, the language is lyrical, almost spellbinding. The images are stunning, almost hypnotic. And the characters are memorable. This book celebrates the extraordinary and irrepressible power of life at one's humblest level, gratitude in one's darkest hour, and forgiveness as the very heart of love.

Rain of Gold.......2007-03-13

What a wonderful book, I enjoyed it very much. Once I started reading Rain of Gold I couldn't put the book down. Highly recommed all books by this author.

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