Wild South America by
South America contains a greater variety of wildlife and more spectacular landscapes than almost anywhere else on Earth. The continent encompasses the world's longest mountain chain, mightiest river system, and driest desert, yet it is arguably the least known and least explored of the world's land mass. Until recently, a trip to South America was considered only by the wealthy or by the intrepid traveler. But now that film-makers, photographers, and writers share their discoveries on film and in print, more and more people are inspired to see the continent for themselves. South America's potential for ecotourism is gradually being realized, and South America is one of the fastest growing destinations for travelers. Wild South America offers the ecotraveler and the armchair traveler alike an invaluable overview of the whole continent and a practical guide to the best wildlife sites.
Brazil by
For many Americans, Brazil is a land of contradictions: vast natural resources and entrenched corruption; extraordinary wealth and grinding poverty; beautiful beaches and violence-torn favelas. Brazil occupies a vivid place in the American imagination, and yet it remains largely unknown. In an extraordinary journey that spans five hundred years, from European colonization to the 2016 Summer Olympics, Lilia M. Schwarcz and Heloisa M. Starling's Brazil offers a rich, dramatic history of this complex country. The authors not only reconstruct the epic story of the nation but follow the shifting byways of food, art, and popular culture; the plights of minorities; and the ups and downs of economic cycles. Drawing on a range of original scholarship in history, anthropology, political science, and economics, Schwarcz and Starling reveal a long process of unfinished social, political, and economic progress and struggle, a story in which the troubled legacy of the mixing of races and postcolonial political dysfunction persist to this day.
Venezuela by
Among the top ten oil exporters in the world and a founding member of OPEC, Venezuela currently supplies 11 percent of U.S. crude oil imports. But when the country elected the fiery populist politician Hugo Chavez in 1998, tensions rose with this key trading partner and relations have beenstrained ever since.In this concise, accessible introduction, Miguel Tinker-Salas - a native of Venezuela who has written extensively about the country - takes a broadly chronological approach to the history of Venezuela, but keeps oil and its effects on the country's politics, economy, culture, and internationalrelations a central focus. After an introductory section that discusses the legacy of Spanish colonialism, Tinker-Salas explores the "The Era of the Gusher," a period which began with the discovery of oil in the early 1910s, encompassed the mid-century development and nationalization of theindustry, and ended with a change of government in 1989 in response to widespread protests.Tinker-Salas also provides a detailed discussion of Hugo Chavez - his rise to power, his domestic, political and economic policies, and his high-profile forays into international relations. Arranged in helpful question-and-answer format that allows readers to search topics of particular interest,the book covers such questions as: Who is Simon Bolivar and why is he called the George Washington of Latin America? How did the discovery of oil change Venezuela's relationship to the U.S.' What forces were behind the coups of 1992? Does Chavez really want to be president for life? How doesVenezuela interact with China, Russia, and Iran? And much more.Convenient, engaging, and written by a leading expert on the country, Venezuela: What Everyone Needs to Know offers a lively look at an increasingly important player on the world stage.
Countries, Peoples and Cultures by
This brand-new series from Salem Press provides valuable insight into the social, cultural, economic, historical, and religious practices and beliefs of nearly every nation around the globe. This volume takes a look at the South American continent, Mexico, and Central America.
Culture and Customs of Peru by
The breadth of Peru's culture from pre-Columbian times to today is surveyed in this one-stop reference. Modern Peru emerges as an ethnically divided nation progressing toward social integration of its heavily Indian and Hispanic population. Ferreira and Dargent, native Peruvians, illustrate how the diverse geography of the country--the Andes, coast, and jungle--has also had a role in shaping cultural and social expression, from history to art. Further exploring the influence of Spanish colonialism and its modern blending with Indian traditions, this volume covers the legacy of the Incas and Machu Picchu, providing an authoritative overview of how the citizenry and major cultural venues, such as the church, media, and arts, have evolved. A chronology and glossary supplement the text.
The South American Table by
Award-winning collection of 450 authentic recipes from South America.
Simón Bolívar by
Simón Bolívar was a revolutionary and a political leader whose courageous battles for Latin self-rule led to the establishment of Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama as independent nations. Today, Bolívar is known as a great hero, and his name graces many institutions and streets across Latin America. This text examines Bolívar's life and influence using primary source documents, photographs, and an examination of the context in which Bolívar fought for Latin American independence. Students will be guided through their reading with a glossary of important words, a timeline, and references for further reading on the topic.
Colombia by
Written by two leading historians, this deeply informed and accessible book traces the history of Colombia thematically, covering the past two centuries. In ten interlinked chapters, Michael J. LaRosa and Germ n R. Mej a depart from more standard approaches by presenting a history of political, social, and cultural accomplishments within the context of Colombia's specific geographic and economic realities. Their emphasis on cultural development, international relations, and everyday life contrasts sharply with works that focus only on Colombia's violent past or dwell on a Colombian economy deeply dependent on narcotics--a tragic nation that barely functions. Instead, the authors emphasize Colombia's remarkable national cohesion and endurance since the early nineteenth-century wars for independence. Including a photo essay, detailed chronology, and resource guide, this concise yet thorough history will be an invaluable resource for all readers seeking a thoughtful, definitive interpretation of Colombia's past and present.
The Longest Line on the Map by
From the award-winning author of American Canopy, a dazzling account of the world's longest road, the Pan-American Highway, and the epic quest to link North and South America, a dramatic story of commerce, technology, politics, and the divergent fates of the Americas in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The Pan-American Highway, monument to a century's worth of diplomacy and investment, education and engineering, scandal and sweat, is the longest road in the world, passable everywhere save the mythic Darien Gap that straddles Panama and Colombia. The highway's history, however, has long remained a mystery, a story scattered among government archives, private papers, and fading memories. In contrast to the Panama Canal and its vast literature, the Pan-American Highway--the United States' other great twentieth-century hemispheric infrastructure project--has become an orphan of the past, effectively erased from the story of the "American Century." The Longest Line on the Map uncovers this incredible tale for the first time and weaves it into a tapestry that fascinates, informs, and delights. Rutkow's narrative forces the reader to take seriously the question: Why couldn't the Americas have become a single region that "is" and not two near irreconcilable halves that "are"? Whether you're fascinated by the history of the Americas, or you've dreamed of driving around the globe, or you simply love world records and the stories behind them, The Longest Line on the Map is a riveting narrative, a lost epic of hemispheric scale.
Chasing Che by
Intrepid journalist Patrick Symmes sets off on his BMW R80 G/S in search of the people and places in Ernesto "Che" Guevara's classic Motorcycle Diaries, seeking out his own adventure as well as the legacy of the icon Che would become, Symmes retraces the future revolutionary's path.nbsp;nbsp;And on the way he runs out of gas in an Argentine desert, talks a Peruvian guerrilla out of taking him hostage, wipes out in the Andes, and, in Cuba, drinks himself blind with Che's travel partner, Alberto Granado. Here is the unforgettable story of a wanderer's quest for food, shelter, and wisdom. Here, too, is the portrait of a continent whose dreams of utopia give birth not only to freedom fighters, but also to tyrants whose methods include torture and mass killing. Masterfully detailed, insightful, unforgettable, Chasing Che transfixes us with the glory of the open road, where man and machine traverse the unknown in search of the spirit's keenest desires.
Dancing with the Devil in the City of God by
In the tradition of Detroit: An American Autopsy and Maximum City comes a deeply reported and beautifully written biography of the seductive and chaotic city of Rio de Janeiro from prizewinning journalist and Brazilian native Juliana Barbassa. Juliana Barbassa moved a great deal throughout her life, but Rio was always home. After twenty-one years abroad, she returned to find the city that once ravaged by inflation, drug wars, corrupt leaders, and dying neighborhoods was now on the precipice of a major change. Rio has always aspired to the pantheon of global capitals, and under the spotlight of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games it seems that its moment has come. But in order to prepare itself for the world stage, Rio must vanquish the entrenched problems that Barbassa recalls from her childhood. Turning this beautiful but deeply flawed place into a predictable, pristine showcase of the best that Brazil has to offer in just a few years is a tall order--and with the whole world watching, the stakes couldn't be higher. With a cast of larger-than-life characters who are driving this fast-moving juggernaut or who risk getting caught in its gears, this kaleidoscopic portrait of Rio introduces the reader to the people who make up this city of extremes, revealing their aspirations and their grit, their violence, their hungers and their splendor, and shedding light on the future of this city they are building together. Dancing with the Devil in the City of God is an insider perspective into a city on the brink from a native daughter whose life, hopes, and fortunes are entwined with those of the city she portrays.
Mother of God by
For fans of The Lost City of Z, Walking the Amazon, and Turn Right at Machu Picchu comes naturalist and explorer Paul Rosolie's extraordinary adventure in the uncharted tributaries of the Western Amazon--a tale of discovery that vividly captures the awe, beauty, and isolation of this endangered land and presents an impassioned call to save it. In the Madre de Dios--Mother of God--region of Peru, where the Amazon River begins its massive flow, the Andean Mountain cloud forests fall into lowland Amazon Rainforest, creating the most biodiversity-rich place on the planet. In January 2006, when he was just a restless eighteen-year-old hungry for adventure, Paul Rosolie embarked on a journey to the west Amazon that would transform his life. Venturing alone into some of the most inaccessible reaches of the jungle, he encountered giant snakes, floating forests, isolated tribes untouched by outsiders, prowling jaguars, orphaned baby anteaters, poachers in the black market trade in endangered species, and much more. Yet today, the primordial forests of the Madre de Dios are in danger from developers, oil giants, and gold miners eager to exploit its natural resources. In Mother of God, this explorer and conservationist relives his amazing odyssey exploring the heart of this wildest place on earth. When he began delving deeper in his search for the secret Eden, spending extended periods in isolated solitude, he found things he never imagined could exist. "Alone and miniscule against a titanic landscape I have seen the depths of the Amazon, the guts of the jungle where no men go, Rosolie writes. "But as the legendary explorer Percy Fawcett warned, 'the few remaining unknown places of the world exact a price for their secrets.'" Illustrated with 16 pages of color photos.
South American Handbook 2017 by
South America will uplift your senses with the tropical sunrising over a palm-fringed beach, or a bracing wind blowing off the southernice fields. Light can be blinding on the high-altitude salt flats, or dense andgreen in the rain forest. The gentle scent of the ripe guava fills thecountryside, but the fire of chilli from that innocent-looking jar willelectrify your taste buds. Explore the cities of prehispanic civilizations and thechurches of colonial times, immerse yourself in the present with itscelebrations and social dilemmas. Where past and present mix, there arefestivals, crafts and gastronomy, from the humble potato in its umpteenvarieties to the most sophisticated of wines. If you are looking for something more active, throw yourselfoff a giant sand dune into a lake, or climb the highest mountain. Walk in thetree-tops of the rainforest, at eye level with birds and monkeys, dance in anAndean village square to a solo violin, or to techno brega in a warehouse-sizedclub in Belem. Whatever South America inspires you to do, you will find thatthere is no limit to the passion that it fires within you. In this era of countless websites which bring images and informationfrom every barrio and pueblito, the South American Handbook gives he details onhow to navigate between each place, big or small. It is a celebration of thespirit of adventure and independence that characterizes travel in this part ofthe world. Drawing on the expertise of correspondents in the region and the experiencesof travellers, this 93rdedition of the Handbook provides the threadfrom Acandi to Ushuaia and everywhere you may wish to stop off in between. The core of the guide provides comprehensive coverage ofArgentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay,Venezuela, the Guianas, and the Falkland Islands. In addition it includes: Extensive coverageof the most famous and lesser-knownsites, from the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu and iconic Christ the Redeemer tothe wilderness of the Guianas and rolling hills of Uruguay Highlights sectionso you know what not to miss Practical informationon how to get to each country andaround, plus suggested itineraries to help you plan your trip, whether you aretravelling for a week or a month Well-researched cultural and historical backgroundsectionsavailable as an online resource Tips for travelling with your kids Overview mapfor each country and region which includes'Don't miss' destinations, local information on how to get around and detailedstreet maps where relevant Authoritative advice and recommendationsto ensure youfind the best accommodation, restaurant or local tour operator Footprint's legendary South American Handbook covers thecontinent in amazing detail, enabling you to explore for yourself. Fromspectacular carnivals to shuddering glaciers, this guide will open your way tothe irresistible spirit of the world's greatest continent. Escape the crowds with us and discover this glorious andepic continent for yourself.
The Physical Geography of South America by
The Physical Geography of South America, the eighth volume in the Oxford Regional Environments series, presents an enduring statement on the physical and biogeographic conditions of this remarkable continent and their relationships to human activity. It fills a void in recent environmentalliterature by assembling a team of specialists from within and beyond South America in order to provide an integrated, cross-disciplinary body of knowledge about this mostly tropical continent, together with its high mountains and temperate southern cone. The authors systematically cover the maincomponents of the South American environment - tectonism, climate, glaciation, natural landscape changes, rivers, vegetation, animals, and soils. The book then presents more specific treatments of regions with special attributes from the tropical forests of the Amazon basin to the Atacama Desertand Patagonian steppe, and from the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Pacific coasts to the high Andes. Additionally, the continents environments are given a human face by evaluating the roles played by people over time, from pre-European and European colonial impacts to the effects of modern agriculture andurbanization, and from interactions with El Nino events to prognoses for the future environments of the continent.
Modern Brazil by
In recent years, Brazil has come onto the world stage as an economic powerhouse, a leader in Latin America. This latest addition to the Understanding Modern Nations series focuses on Brazil's culture, history, and society. This volume provides readers with a wide understanding of Brazil's historical past, the foundation for its cultural traditions, and an understanding of its social structure. In addition, it provides a look into contemporary society by highlighting both national accomplishments and challenges Brazilians face in the twenty-first century. Specific chapters cover geography; history; government and politics; economy; religion; social classes and ethnicity; gender, marriage and sexuality; education; language; etiquette; literature and drama; arts and architecture; music and dance; food; leisure and sports; and media, cinema, and popular culture. Entries within each chapter look at topics such as cultural icons, economic inequalities, race and ethnicity, soccer, politics, environmental conservation, and women's rights. Ideal for high school and undergraduate students, this volume paints a panoramic overview of one of the most powerful countries in the Americas.
Andes by
Second only to the Himalayas in size, the Andes represent a fascinating region of our world. Written by regional experts and drawing on field-based endeavors of several researchers, each chapter encompasses a timely topic, from climate-related studies and historical occupations to indigenous manufacturing and recent archaeological evidence. If you want to know what types of research are currently being conducted in the Andes, this book will surely satisfy.
Simón Bolívar by
One of Latin America's most famous historical figures, Simón Bolívar has become a mythic symbol for many nations, empires, and revolutions used to support wildly diverse--sometimes opposite--ideas. From colonial Cuba to Nazi-occupied France to Cold War-era Slovenia, the image of "El Libertador" has variously signified loyalty, national unity, liberation, freedom, and revolt. In this volume, an array of international and interdisciplinary scholars shows the ways Bolívar has appeared over the last two centuries in painting, fiction, poetry, music, film, festival, dance, city planning, and even reliquary adoration. They illustrate how Bolívar's body has been exalted, reimagined, or fragmented in different contexts, taking on a range of meanings to represent the politics and poetics of today's national bodies. By critically analyzing many examples of cultural Bolivarianisms, or cults of Bolívar, this collection demonstrates the capacity of the arts and humanities to challenge and reinvent hegemonic icons and narratives and, therefore, to be vital to democracy. Contributors: Armida de la Garza| Luis Duno-Gottberg| Emily A. Engel| Alejandro E. Gomez Pernia| Juan de Dios Lopez Maya| Paul Niell| Tina Potocnik| Ana Maria Reyes| Alicia Rios| Nicholas Roberts| Maureen G. Shanahan| Juan Francisco Sans| Tomas Straka
A Concise History of Bolivia by
In its first Spanish edition, Herbert Klein's A Concise History of Bolivia won immediate acceptance within Bolivia as the new standard history of this important nation. Surveying Bolivia's economic, social, cultural and political evolution from the arrival of early man in the Andes to the present, this current version brings the history of this society up to the present day, covering the fundamental changes that have occurred since the National Revolution of 1952 and the return of democracy in 1982. These changes have included the introduction of universal education and the rise of the mestizos and Indian populations to political power for the first time in national history. This second edition brings this story through the first administration of the first self-proclaimed Indian president in national history and the major changes that the government of Evo Morales has introduced in Bolivian society, politics and economics.
A Prehistory of South America by
A Prehistory of South America is an overview of the ancient and historic native cultures of the entire continent of South America based on the most recent archaeological investigations. This accessible, clearly written text is designed to engage undergraduate and beginning graduate students in anthropology. For more than 12,000 years, South American cultures ranged from mobile hunters and gatherers to rulers and residents of colossal cities. In the process, native South American societies made advancements in agriculture and economic systems and created great works of art--in pottery, textiles, precious metals, and stone--that still awe the modern eye. Organized in broad chronological periods, A Prehistory of South America explores these diverse human achievements, emphasizing the many adaptations of peoples from a continent-wide perspective. Moore examines the archaeologies of societies across South America, from the arid deserts of the Pacific coast and the frigid Andean highlands to the humid lowlands of the Amazon Basin and the fjords of Patagonia and beyond. Illustrated in full color and suitable for an educated general reader interested in the Precolumbian peoples of South America, A Prehistory of South America is a long overdue addition to the literature on South American archaeology.
Spectacular modernity : dictatorship, space, and visuality in Venezuela, 1948-1958 by
"In cultural history, the 1950s in Venezuela are commonly celebrated as a golden age of modernity, realized by a booming oil economy, dazzling modernist architecture, and nationwide modernization projects. But this is only half the story. In this path-breaking study, Lisa Blackmore reframes the concept of modernity as a complex cultural formation in which modern aesthetics became deeply entangled with authoritarian politics. Drawing on extensive archival research and presenting a wealth of previously unpublished visual materials, Blackmore revisits the decade-long dictatorship to unearth the spectacles of progress that offset repression and censorship. Analyses of a wide range of case studies--from housing projects to agricultural colonies, urban monuments to official exhibitions, and carnival processions to consumerculture--reveal the manifold apparatuses that mythologized visionary leadership, advocated technocratic development, and presented military rule as the only route to progress. Offering a sharp corrective to depoliticized accounts of the period, Spectacular Modernity instead exposes how Venezuelans were promised a radically transformed landscape in exchange for their democratic freedoms"-- Provided by publisher.
"An analysis of how a decade of military rule in Venezuela produced a dominant ideology of progress so meticulously crafted that to this day audacious Modernist art and architecture and dictatorship are conflated under the term 'modernity'"-- Provided by publisher.
South American Handbook 2017 by
South America will uplift your senses with the tropical sunrising over a palm-fringed beach, or a bracing wind blowing off the southernice fields. Light can be blinding on the high-altitude salt flats, or dense andgreen in the rain forest. The gentle scent of the ripe guava fills thecountryside, but the fire of chilli from that innocent-looking jar willelectrify your taste buds. Explore the cities of prehispanic civilizations and thechurches of colonial times, immerse yourself in the present with itscelebrations and social dilemmas. Where past and present mix, there arefestivals, crafts and gastronomy, from the humble potato in its umpteenvarieties to the most sophisticated of wines. If you are looking for something more active, throw yourselfoff a giant sand dune into a lake, or climb the highest mountain. Walk in thetree-tops of the rainforest, at eye level with birds and monkeys, dance in anAndean village square to a solo violin, or to techno brega in a warehouse-sizedclub in Belem. Whatever South America inspires you to do, you will find thatthere is no limit to the passion that it fires within you. In this era of countless websites which bring images and informationfrom every barrio and pueblito, the South American Handbook gives he details onhow to navigate between each place, big or small. It is a celebration of thespirit of adventure and independence that characterizes travel in this part ofthe world. Drawing on the expertise of correspondents in the region and the experiencesof travellers, this 93rdedition of the Handbook provides the threadfrom Acandi to Ushuaia and everywhere you may wish to stop off in between. The core of the guide provides comprehensive coverage ofArgentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay,Venezuela, the Guianas, and the Falkland Islands. In addition it includes: Extensive coverageof the most famous and lesser-knownsites, from the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu and iconic Christ the Redeemer tothe wilderness of the Guianas and rolling hills of Uruguay Highlights sectionso you know what not to miss Practical informationon how to get to each country andaround, plus suggested itineraries to help you plan your trip, whether you aretravelling for a week or a month Well-researched cultural and historical backgroundsectionsavailable as an online resource Tips for travelling with your kids Overview mapfor each country and region which includes'Don't miss' destinations, local information on how to get around and detailedstreet maps where relevant Authoritative advice and recommendationsto ensure youfind the best accommodation, restaurant or local tour operator Footprint's legendary South American Handbook covers thecontinent in amazing detail, enabling you to explore for yourself. Fromspectacular carnivals to shuddering glaciers, this guide will open your way tothe irresistible spirit of the world's greatest continent. Escape the crowds with us and discover this glorious andepic continent for yourself.
The Patagonian Sublime by
The Patagonian Sublime provides a vivid, accessible, and cutting-edge investigation of the green economy and New Left politics in Argentina. Based on extensive field research in Glaciers National Park and the mountain village of El Chaltén, Marcos Mendoza deftly examines the diverse social worlds of alpine mountaineers, adventure trekkers, tourism entrepreneurs, seasonal laborers, park rangers, land managers, scientists, and others involved in the green economy. Mendoza explores the fraught intersection of the green economy with the New Left politics of the Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner governments. Mendoza documents the strategies of capitalist development, national representation, and political rule embedded in the "green productivist" agenda pursued by Kirchner and Fernández. Mendoza shows how Andean Patagonian communities have responded to the challenges of community-based conservation, the fashioning of wilderness zones, and the drive to create place-based monopolies that allow ecotourism destinations to compete in the global consumer economy.
Making Machu Picchu by
Speaking at a 1913 National Geographic Society gala, Hiram Bingham III, the American explorer celebrated for finding the "lost city" of the Andes two years earlier, suggested that Machu Picchu "is an awful name, but it is well worth remembering." Millions of travelers have since followed Bingham's advice. When Bingham first encountered Machu Picchu, the site was an obscure ruin. Now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu is the focus of Peru's tourism economy. Mark Rice's history of Machu Picchu in the twentieth century--from its "discovery" to today's travel boom--reveals how Machu Picchu was transformed into both a global travel destination and a powerful symbol of the Peruvian nation. Rice shows how the growth of tourism at Machu Picchu swayed Peruvian leaders to celebrate Andean culture as compatible with their vision of a modernizing nation. Encompassing debates about nationalism, Indigenous peoples' experiences, and cultural policy--as well as development and globalization--the book explores the contradictions and ironies of Machu Picchu's transformation. On a broader level, it calls attention to the importance of tourism in the creation of national identity in Peru and Latin America as a whole.
