Average customer rating:
- Great Literature
- A Travel Story to Make You Want To Pack Your Bags
- Expected More Depth of Vision
- In Patagonia
- A Vivid Imagination and a Powerfully Bracing Landscape Makes for a Superb Travelogue
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In Patagonia (Penguin Classics)
Bruce Chatwin
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0142437190
Release Date: 2003-03-25 |
Book Description
In Patagonia is Bruce Chatwin's exquisite account of his journey through "the uttermost part of the earth," that stretch of land at the southern tip of South America, where bandits were once made welcome and Charles Darwin formed part of his "survival of the fittest" theory. Chatwin's evocative descriptions, notes on the odd history of the region, and enchanting anecdotes make In Patagonia an exhilarating look at a place that still retains the exotic mystery of a far-off, unseen land. An instant classic upon publication in 1977, In Patagonia remains a masterwork of literature.
Customer Reviews:
Great Literature.......2007-09-30
We are preparing to visit South America, so this book is very apt. The author put together a new kind of travel story, weaving imagination with reality. It seems to us that a lot of South American native literature does the same thing. A fascinating insight into life in Patagonia, whether you read it as travel stories or fiction.
A Travel Story to Make You Want To Pack Your Bags.......2007-08-27
I had never heard of Bruce Chatwin before, but whilst shopping at a used book store, as I held IN PATAGONIA in my hand, my friend said: "Oh, Bruce Chatwin--he's a great writer."
From the moment I picked this book up, I couldn't stop reading it. The short segments worked well for me, I liked the style. I learned so much about the country, its history, and all sorts of interesting characters. This book is a great read, and I went on to read his others.
Expected More Depth of Vision.......2007-07-26
This is a book on a potentially engaging topic that came to me with high critical recommendation, but frankly didn't deliver. Chatwin's narrative is sentimental and seems in many cases superficial. His observations of the Welsh sheep ranchers seemed focused on insignificant details to the point that one may wonder if Chatwin had ever been diagnosed with autism. I couldn't finish the book.
In Patagonia.......2007-01-12
I liked the fact that the author traversed the country on foot or by hitchhiking, getting a very close feel for the country. He interviews or quotes older experienced people who give a real feel for their area.
A Vivid Imagination and a Powerfully Bracing Landscape Makes for a Superb Travelogue.......2006-08-12
Published back in 1978, Bruce Chatwin's seamless mix of fact and fiction is still among the most enthralling of travel books. Prompted by a piece of reddish animal skin he found in his grandmother's curio cabinet when he was a child, the author ignites himself on a flight of fancy about its origin. This leads him to an expansive area of wild beauty, Patagonia on South America's southernmost tip. I have been lucky enough to visit this part of the world myself about four years ago, and I can confirm from my travels that Chatwin does an amazing job of capturing not only its physical splendor but its colorful inhabitants. However, this is no linear travel narrative, as the author breaks his stories down into mini-sections, ninety-seven in total.
Several of the episodes deal with his own experiences on the road and the individuals he encounters like the gauchos on the pampas, the Welsh-originated villagers, a French soprano, and a hippie from Haight-Ashbury looking for work in the mines. Interspersed with these accounts are snippets of history, real or imagined, such as an unknown connection between Magellan's expedition and Shakespeare's "The Tempest", the whereabouts of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid after they left the states, and a 19th-century European lawyer who convinced the local Araucanian Indians to elect him their monarch. Chatwin shows particular gift for culling whimsical trivia into a greater storytelling context that is hard to resist as long as the reader is aware that little of it is verifiable. He inevitably ends the book the way he started - by finding the source of the animal scrap. Few writers have shown such a vivid imagination and a powerful sense of imagery as Chatwin has with his splendid travelogue. This will make those with an extreme case of wanderlust want to book their flights to Punta Arenas, Chile, right away.
Book Description
A deathbed confession revolving around Opus Dei and Pinochet, By Night in Chile pours out the self-justifying dark memories of the Jesuit priest Father Urrutia.
As through a crack in the wall, By Night in Chile's single night-long rant provides a terrifying, clandestine view of the strange bedfellows of Church and State in Chile. This wild, eerily compact novel—Roberto Bolaño's first work available in English—recounts the tale of a poor boy who wanted to be a poet, but ends up a half-hearted Jesuit priest and a conservative literary critic, a sort of lap dog to the rich and powerful cultural elite, in whose villas he encounters Pablo Neruda and Ernst Jünger. Father Urrutia is offered a tour of Europe by agents of Opus Dei (to study "the disintegration of the churches," a journey into realms of the surreal); and ensnared by this plum, he is next assigned—after the destruction of Allende—the secret, never-to-be-disclosed job of teaching Pinochet, at night, all about Marxism, so the junta generals can know their enemy. Soon, searingly, his memories go from bad to worse. Heart-stopping and hypnotic, By Night in Chile marks the American debut of an astonishing writer.
Customer Reviews:
Quick Read........2007-06-01
Bolano writes with very long sentences and therfore I found that there was a rythm that I needed to acquire in reading this book. Bolano ties in historical facts of Chile which makes it interesting. It is a small book, therefore a quick read. I did not find this book to be one that I couldn't put down. I would give it a 7 out of 10.
Interesting story by a stellar writer.......2007-01-04
Bolano presents the odd story of this self-deluded literary critic and rightist in an unnamed country likely to be Chile, of course, in an engaging first-person point-of-view. Fortunately, Bolano keeps a tight grip on the character POV, and allows us to see the world from the skewed vision of this character, without revealing any unreliability. Still, the book, although a short one, bogs down a bit, particularly in comparison to Distant Star or the short stories in Last Evenings on Earth. An enjoyable read, though not his absolute best.
The dulling of the human conscience.......2005-09-16
The narrator of Roberto Bolaño's surreal novella By Night in Chile is an Opus Dei priest, Fr. Sebastian Urrutia Lacroix. Using the image of "the wizened youth," Bolaño brilliantly portrays the struggle for the survival of the human spirit trapped in Opus Dei for many years. His imagery is so vivid and provocative that the reader feels as if he or she is lifted up into his dream. "The wizened youth," or Fr. Sebastian's true self is being slowly destroyed by Fr. Sebastian's new Opus Dei identity. This interior battle captures the essence of the Opus Dei experience, as if Bolaño himself had been a celibate member. Initially, it appears as if Fr. Sebastian's newly-formed spirit is soaring toward the heavens; for example, he says "my prayers rising up and up through the clouds to the realm of pure music, to what for want of a better name we call the choir of angels, a non-human space but undoubtedly the only imaginable space we humans can truly inhabit, an uninhabitable space but the only one worth inhabiting, a space in which we shall cease to be but the only space in which we can be what we truly are." In reality, however, Fr. Sebastian's spirit, manipulated by his Opus Dei superiors, Raef and Etah (Fear and Hate spelled backwards) is slowly crushed over a period of many years because he denies the truth and his former self, "the wizened youth."
Fr. Sebastian is ordained an Opus Dei priest at the age of 14, at which time there isn't much of a struggle at all. In fact, Fr. Sebastian is happy to bury the memories of his unpleasant childhood; and is filled with "immaculate hopes" about his future as the protégé of the finest literary critic in Santiago, Farewell. Like so many others who join Opus Dei at an impressionable age, Fr. Sebastian is lured by the promise of an appealing and exciting adventure. The fourteen-year-old is impressed by Farewell's attire, his grand estate, and the prestigious company of the literary elite with whom he shares an exquisite meal. The name "Farewell" symbolizes Fr. Sebastian's bidding his former self farewell. When Fr. Sebastian meets Pablo Neruda, the famous Chilean poet at Farewell's house, he says, "I bet the wizened youth has no stories like this to tell. He didn't meet Neruda." His new identity enthusiastically and blindly submits to the calling higher than himself - to change the tone of literature in society. As he matures in his career, his intentions become tainted when he gives himself a pen name H. Ibacache (meaning: was hidden) so that he could praise his own books and criticize those of his colleagues, calling for a return to the classics and more culture. His pen name symbolizes the burial of the universal truths found in literature as well as the concealment of his new identity as an Opus Dei member.
Even though Fr. Sebastian becomes a successful literary critic, his spirit starts to rebel as he becomes bored with his book reviews and starts to write deep meaningful poems, which he quickly destroys. His Opus Dei superiors immediately step in to crush his dissenting spirit. In his struggle, the wizened youth appears, "The wizened youth is watching from a yellow street corner and yelling at me. I can hear some of his words. He is saying I belong to Opus Dei. I have never hidden that, I say. But of course, he's not even listening to me. I can see his jaws and his lips moving and I know he's shouting, but I cannot hear his words." Fr. Sebastian's superiors reward him with a "delicate mission in Europe" as a distraction and to bolster his fidelity to the organization. Raef and Etah hope Fr. Sebastian will feel as if he is part of something greater than himself, something with a divine purpose that he should feel privileged to belong to - Opus Dei, which means "The Work of God." Throughout his jaunt through Europe, Fr. Sebastian is treated with great affection. In Spain, he says, "they introduced me to "the Opus Dei publishers and the principals of the Opus schools and the Rector of the University, which is also run by Opus Dei, and all of them showed an interest in my work as a literary critic, poet and teacher, and they invited me to publish a book with them . . . and then they gave me a letter addressed to me and written by Mr. Raef, in which he asked How's Europe going, what's the weather like and the food and the sites of historical interest, a ridiculous letter but somehow it seemed to conceal another, invisible letter, more serious in content, and this hidden letter, although I couldn't tell what it said or even be sure it really existed, worried me deeply." Even though Fr. Sebastian has let his guard down and the wizened youth is absent in Europe, he still feels that something is not quite right. But, how can his spirit protest now that everything is going so well for him?
The actual mission in Europe is a portent of the death of Fr. Sebastian's spirit. He learns that the cause of the dilapidation of the exteriors of the European churches is pigeon droppings. The pastors throughout Europe solve this problem by becoming falconers, whose pet falcons murder the pigeons. As Fr. Sebastian travels through Europe, he is not troubled by the blood until he meets Fr. Antonio, who thinks it is a grave error for the predators to kill God's creatures since pigeons and doves are the symbol of the Holy Spirit, "who is far more important than most lay people suspect, more important than the Son who died on the cross, more important than the Father who made the stars and the earth and all the universe." His words haunt Fr. Sebastian who dreams of "falcons, thousands of falcons flying high over the Atlantic ocean, headed for America." The falcons represent predators of the spirits and Fr. Sebastian subconsciously fears for the deaths of many more spirits in the church.
When Fr. Sebastian returns to Chile, he and his spirit have a second, more tumultuous battle. As the country flares up in political turmoil, he starts having doubts again and his personal writing becomes so shocking and disturbing, that even he does not recognize it as his own. This time, however, Raef and Etah do not reward him; rather, they give him a punishment. They manipulate Fr. Sebastian into agreeing to give private lessons on Marxism to Pinochet and his generals. After they cleverly get him to admit that he has some books on Marxism in his personal library, Fr. Sebastian feels as if he must defend himself, saying "You know me, I'm not a Marxist." He describes himself in the scene as "trembling from head to toe and feeling more than ever as if it were all a dream." Raef and Etah try to reassure him "You'll be serving your country. . . Serving in silence and obscurity, far from the glitter of medals. . . you're going to have to keep your mouth shut." Soon after he gives the classes, he is confused about the moral ambiguity of what he has done. However, after some time has passed, Fr. Sebastian justifies his actions, "At the end of the day, we were all reasonable (except for the wizened youth, who at that stage was wandering around God knows where, lost in some black hole or other), we were all Chileans, we were all normal, discreet, logical, balanced, careful, sensible people, we all knew that something had to be done, that certain things were necessary, there's a time for sacrifice and a time for thinking reasonably." He has convinced himself that if there had been any unpleasant consequences from his lessons, they were necessary, and the wizened youth has lost another battle.
Toward the end of the novella, Fr. Sebastian's spirit no longer fights. During the literary soirées in the home of María Canales, whose husband was using their basement as a torture chamber, the wizened youth is invisible. Fr. Sebastian says "I can picture the wizened youth's face. I cannot actually see him, but he is there in my mind's eye." Because curfews were in effect, Fr. Sebastian admits that he sensed that something was not quite right at those lovely literary gatherings, "I thought how odd it was that, with all the racket and the lights, the house was never visited by a military or police patrol." But his ignoring of his conscience had now become such an entrenched habit, that the wizened youth appears to have died. Finally, Fr. Sebastian realizes that he no longer sees the wizened youth. "Where is the wizened youth? Why has he gone away? And little by little the truth begins to rise like a dead body. A dead body rising from the bottom of the sea or from the bottom of a gully. I can see its shadow rising. Its flickering shadow. Its shadow rising as if it were climbing a hill on a fossil planet. And then, in the half-light of my sickness, I see his fierce, his gentle face and I ask myself: Am I that wizened youth?" He realizes that he has spent his entire life fleeing from the wizened youth. He has denied his own eyes, memories, thoughts, and even his own writing. If he had not been a sleepwalker through his life, perhaps he would have come to the truth much sooner; instead, he was in a battle with his own spirit and almost killed it, as the falconers had killed so many of the pigeons or doves in order to save the churches from the pigeon droppings. It is sad that Fr. Sebastian doesn't see the truth until he is almost dead, but by having liberated his trapped spirit, he can finally be at peace with himself.
A good read.......2004-11-29
It is tempting when reading this volume, to check Chilean literary history or the politics of the Allende era ... but it is better to simply read the novel as a good read - at least for the first time. This is a novel that almost invites a study of its references and techniques, to the point one may gloss over the universal aspects of the story. While the novel is deliberately Chilean, the motifs of professional and ethical social climbing and compromising are universal. A young priest is "seduced" by the opportunity to be in the best literary circles - seduced into support of the right wing side of the Church and of politics. This volume is his own telling of his story, near the end of his life, in an attempt to excuse/explain/confess his choices throughout his life. The author's brilliance is in his compact telling of a universal condition in the very specific details of a particular life in a particular time.
Great for Chilean Literature Enthusiasts.......2004-07-14
I think I would have appreciated this book more if I was more into Chilean literature. Some characters, like Pablo Neruda, I could recognize right away, but most were unknown to me. Still I could follow the story, but I might not have understood all the nuances. If you aren't informed about Chile and have the will to look stuff up, this book could be a good starting point about Chile without being deliberate like a travel guide.
The novel also captures other aspects of Chilean history and society, such as the time leading up to Allende's downfall and Pinochet's dictatorship, the role of the Church in the mid- to late-twentieth century, the importance of politics, and other topics.
The voice and tone of the novel is unique. It flows as one stream of consciousness without paragraphs or chapters, and with many run-on sentences. At times the reader forgets that the page is the medium through which the voice is communicating, because it almost comes as direct as someone speaking. However, the narration is lacking for passion, which perfectly reflects Fr. Urrutia's low energy and apprehensiveness towards his vocation, but the book is not for those seeking an exciting narrative.
Book Description
Climb the rocky spires of Torres del Paine, salsa all night in sizzling Santiago, explore the world's driest desert or follow Che's tracks through the Lakes District. Whether you're looking to brave the wilderness or wind through the wine country, our best-selling, opinion-packed Chile guide will take you to the end of the world...and back. HEAD SOUTH - expanded coverage of adventure paradise Patagonia, with side trips to Argentina RAISE A GLASS - discover Chilean wine with our intoxicating primer by a Colchagua Valley vintner PLAY HARD - sand-board desert dunes, paddle through ice-carved fjords or ski still-smoking volcanoes with our dedicated Outdoors chapter REST EASY - accommodations for every budget, from rustic mountain refugios and homey hospedajes to luxurious retreats and high-rise hotels LIVE IT UP - enjoy gourmet meals and top-notch culture in Santiago, uncover ValparaÃso's bohemian charms or sunbathe on Arica's plentiful beaches
HEAD SOUTH - expanded coverage of adventura paradise Patagonia with a side trip to Argentina
RAISE A GLASS - Discover Chilean wine with our intoxicating primer by a Colchagua Valley vintner
PLAY HARD - sand board desert dunes, paddle through ice-carved fjords or ski still-smoking volcanoes with our dedicated Outdoors chapter
REST EASY- accomodation for every budget, from rustic mountain refugios and homey hospedajesto luxurious retreats and high-rise hotels
LIVE IT UP- enjoy gourmet meals and top-notch culture in Santiago, uncover Valparaiso's bohemian charms or sunbath on Arica's plentiful beaches.
Customer Reviews:
Easter Island or Bust.......2007-08-24
I usually don't like the LPs but this one worked out great. I left it in Santiago with my sister. The thing about travel books is that they are just guides to give you ideas. Never go by the book, it makes for a boring life. The best adventures I have every had in South America were the ones that were not planned that goes for life too. The Easter Island part was good because it gave alot of info about the history and culture and gave directions to the museum so that we could get even more info if needed. I also like the Spanish vocab in the back because my Spanish is Mexican border now and guess what a sopa in SA is a bread and here in border land it is a soup. winter in Santiago you want soup not bread. Buy it and see the world the best thing in life is to follow you heart and dreams.
Great Guide To Cheap Accomodations.......2007-08-12
thanks to lonely planet we found chilestay apartments at www.chilestay.com an inexpensive alternative to a hotel. also, lonely planet provides a comprehensive and updated information about places to visit and enjoy.
not so helpful after all.......2007-04-21
I have used LP guides all over the world, mostly for the maps and hostel listings...so when I went to Chile, I happily bought the Chile guide. I threw it out two weeks later. The maps were incorrect again and again, information was just plain wrong, the listings unhelpful. We ended up walking all over one town looking for a hostel that had been misplaced on a map, we missed buses, and were shocked at how horrible "the best hostel in [a certain town]" was. Fine adventure and all, but after I trashed the LP, we used my friends' Rough Guide instead (which thankfully had correct info) and we saved our time and enjoyed ourselves for the rest of our trip.
found it useful.......2007-03-11
We went on a Princess cruise, so only used the guite for Santiago, Chile, Valparaiso, Porte Montte, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, Falklands, montevideo, and BA. Wew found it useful. Did not really use the hotel or restuarant guides.
One of the best guide books for Chile.......2007-03-06
I travel in Chile often and extensively and can vouch for the quality of this guide book, especially this new edition. There's a lot of good guide books out there and every one has a different perspective, but I find LP's to include the broadest spectrum of information, for people on all different budgets with all different types of travel tastes, styles, and expectations. This edition just came out so you can trust that the info is up to date, and I agree with a lot of their recommendations of special hotels, restaurants, and off the trail places to check out. The southern chapters are excellent, in particular.
If you are heading to Chile, I urge you to pick up a copy of the poetry of their national hero, the great Nobel Laureate pacifist Pablo Neruda, subject of Il Postino / Postman and so much more. The Essential Neruda: Selected Poems has been called by many as the best introductions and best books of his even if you already love and know him. Check it out. You will experience Chile differently after reading his words of passions. You will experience life differently. For more info, check out redpoppy dot net, a non-profit dedicated to furthering his commitment to humanitarianism and spreading his poetry around the globe.
Making a difference in this world, one poem at a time.
Paz y amor
Amazon.com
Almost three decades after commencing his maritime epic with Master and Commander, Patrick O'Brian is still at it. The 20th episode, Blue at the Mizzen, is another swashbuckling adventure on the high seas, complete with romantic escapades from smoggy London to Sierra Leone, diplomacy, espionage, the intricacies of warfare, and imperial brinksmanship. As always, these events are bound up in the ongoing friendship between two officers of the Royal Navy. Jack Aubrey is the naval captain, bold yet compassionate, innovative yet cautious, as fearless in war as he is bumbling in affairs of the heart and household. His boon companion Stephen Maturin is the ship's surgeon--and additionally a spy for the British government, a wealthy Catalonian aristocrat, a doting Irish father, and an avid naturalist.
That may sound like a lot to keep track of. However, it's not necessary to carry around a scorecard or ship's roster while reading Blue at the Mizzen. The ostensible issue is whether Jack will finally be promoted to Admiral of the Blue. But long before he hears any word from the Napoleonic era's equivalent of Personnel, he loses half his crew to desertion, his ship undergoes a disastrous collision, and the entire company comes close to perishing in the ice-choked seas off Cape Horn. Meanwhile, the widowed Maturin issues a surprising proposal of marriage to a beautiful, mud-bespattered fellow naturalist while trekking through an African mangrove swamp. (The two lovebirds happen to be searching for a rare variant of Caprimulgus longipennis, the long-tailed nightjar, which they hope to surprise in full mating plumage.)
Still, this is hardly a plot-driven novel. O'Brian takes time to get anywhere, and invariably enjoys the journey more than the arrival. So even as we get constant hints of the climax to come--Jack's spectacular naval action on behalf of the infant Republic of Chile--we don't mind hearing about the nuances of shipboard existence or the secret life of the white-faced tree duck. We're treated, for example, to this snippet about managed care, circa 1816:
Poll, Maggie and a horse-leech from the starboard watch have been administering enemas to the many, many cases of gross surfeit that have now replaced the frostbites, torsions, and debility of the recent past, the very recent past. Strong, fresh, seal-meat has not its equal for upsetting the seaman's metabolism: he is much better kept on biscuits, Essex cheese, and a very little well-seethed salt pork--kept on short commons.
And we're grateful! We can only hope that the elderly author will favor us with at least one more novel, so that his avid followers can avoid their own form of short commons. Life without Aubrey and Maturin would be a deprivation indeed. --Andrew Himes
Book Description
Napoleon has been defeated at Waterloo, and the ensuing peace brings with it both the desertion of nearly half of Captain Aubrey's crew and the sudden dimming of Aubrey's career prospects in a peacetime navy. When the Surprise is nearly sunk on her way to South America--where Aubrey and Stephen Maturin are to help Chile assert her independence from Spain--the delay occasioned by repairs reaps a harvest of strange consequences. The South American expedition is a desperate affair; and in the end Jack's bold initiative to strike at the vastly superior Spanish fleet precipitates a spectacular naval action that will determine both Chile's fate and his own.
Customer Reviews:
Asleep at the Watch.......2006-09-12
Immerse yourself once again in the seafaring adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey and his ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin as they roam the almost unexplored oceans of the early 17th century, and participate in the bittersweet "liberation" of Chile. The 85 year-old O'Brian's flawless dialogue and meticulous attention to detail makes this book -- like the rest of the series -- a historical tour de force. Unfortunately after 20 previous books, Aubrey and Maturin have few surprises left, and hundreds of pages filled with the impenetrable politics and minutia of daily naval life may be as stupefying as Dr. Maturin's regular doses of laudanum and hellebore for readers unaware that a great naval battle invariably lurks in the closing pages. O'Brian addicts will welcome another chance to visit their favorite characters, but people new to O'Brian should visit the earlier, fresher books of the series -- say "The Far Side Of The World."
-- Auralgo
Lucky Jack.......2006-07-25
Patrick O'Brians Royal Navy is alive and well in Blue At The Mizzen.I read it as a preface to his final partial novel. I have read all of the Jack Aubrey novels some twice and three times over the years and Blue At The Mizzen is one of the best.
A perfect final entry in the series.......2006-01-09
Having Jack Aubrey finally attain his long-desired goal, an admiral's commission with its blue flag, brought the series to a very satisfactory conclusion for me. I don't plan to read the unfinished, unedited Book 21, because I have deeply enjoyed the entire series of 20, and Book 21 seems gratuitous. If O'Brien had lived to finish it properly, I'd of course have bought Book 21. But "Blue at the Mizzen" as a conclusion is so satisfying that I'm happy with it--though I could wish for the series to have gone on forever.
But with "Blue at the Mizzen," I can close the books reluctantly for the second or third or fourth time..., and rest assured that in the universe of the imagination, Aubrey and Maturin forever sail the Napoleonic seas just beyond my view, while Killick fusses and Sophie frets. I shall even take the liberty of bringing Bonden back to life.
What a wonderful world of characters, high drama, action, and laughter O'Brien created, and what a fine ending "Blue at the Mizzen" is!
End of an Era.......2004-12-31
The final installment in O'Brian's smashing 20-volume nautical series has an unfinished feel. In the final pages we finally learn about Jack's career move --though the answer is given away by the book's title-- and this is something he has fretted over for several books now. But many other plot threads remain hanging, most notably that of Stephen's marital status. The previous book involved the sudden, unexpected and unmourned deaths of several key characters, and this one leaves a dozen or two other secondary characters wholly unfinished. It feels as though the elderly O'Brian had meant to write another book or two to bring Aubrey and Maturin back to England for the final denouement, but perhaps his energy failed him.
In any case, this is another excellent story. With Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo, the "Surprise" must refit after suffering damage in a collision before making her way on her long-delayed voyage to Chile. The action and intrigue in Portugal and Chile are wonderful. As always, Stephen Maturin's wry humor, brought out by the author's sublime prose, leaves the reader smiling. Another wonderful story, but it just doesn't feel like it was meant to be the last one.
"Blue" that it's over-.......2004-08-31
Who knew that early 19th century Naval history could be so exciting?
Girls, don't be afraid to read these books--I was a little intimidated, and boy, was I ever WRONG. Those who have compared O'Brien to Jane Austen are right on target. He could have written about sailors, soldiers or salesmen---as long as they were named Aubrey and Maturin, you can bet the stories would have been pure gold. But take a lesson from a previous reviewer--READ THEM IN ORDER!! And, if you have trouble with the nautical terms, like I did, get a copy of Dean King's "A Sea of Words", which does an excellent job of explaining them.
Never have I been as chagrined as when I reached the final page of "Blue at the Mizzen". It was as perfect an ending as could have been, and although the fates of Aubrey and Maturin are now left to the imagination, thanks to O'Brien, we have a rich treasury with which to create their final outcomes.
Average customer rating:
- Great overview of mediterranean climates
- Author's Credentials
- A thoughtful, beautifully produced book
- A "must" for horticulralists and gardeners.
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Plant Life In The World's Mediterranean Climates: California, Chile, South Africa, Australia, and the Mediterranean Basin
Peter R. Dallman
Manufacturer: CALIFORNIA-PRINCETON FULLFILLMENT SERVICES
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0520208099 |
Book Description
This book provides a wonderful overview of the landscapes, vegetation types, and plants of the five regions of the world that have a Mediterranean climate. This climate of mild, rainy winters and dry, warm summers is found in California, Central Chile, the Cape Region of South Africa, the southwestern part of Australia and the Mediterranean Basin. The regions are widely separated and the flora of each is distinctive, having for the most part developed independently. Nevertheless, the plants share remarkably similar characteristics which allow them to thrive in these unusual conditions.
Peter Dallman's non-technical prose is complemented by numerous maps, tables, and figures, and the book is richly illustrated with photographs of landscapes, plants, and flowers. With its detailed information on some of the world's most resilient plant life, this book will serve as an excellent reference for everyone interested in growing drought-resistant plants and as a naturalist's guide to these beautiful and unusual bioregions.
For the growing number of travelers whose vacations focus on learning about and appreciating natural history, Dallman also includes a chapter on planning trips to the five Mediterranean regions.
Customer Reviews:
Great overview of mediterranean climates.......2005-09-19
This book is great. It has plenty of pictures, diagrams and drawings. Most of the pictures are not in color, however, which is its biggest downfall. It is not a detailed evaluation of mediterranean climates nor is it a good plant ID book, but provides an excellent overview for both the layman and scientist. It provides informatin on the plants that make the mediterranean climate unique and the typical plant communities that are found in them. It is great for someone who doesn't want to get bogged down with individual species and wants to see how all the parts fit together. I first checked this book out of my local library and felt it would be such a good reference book for work, play and travel that I had to have it. The book uses the most scientific and inclusive use of the term Mediterranean which means you are going to get descriptions of plant communities from San Diego to Sacramento to San Francisco. For those of us that prefer the more exclusive definitions it may come as a shock that San Francisco and Sacramento could be considered mediterranean so I'm warning you now. I am currently using this book to help plan a trip to Australia as a supplement to Lonely Planet's travel guides. This book has inspired me to visit all the world's mediterranean climates at some point in my life and I'm not even a plant lover.
Author's Credentials.......2004-09-21
Peter Dallman, a retired pediatric doctor and docent at Strybing Aboretum in San Francisco, California, spent many years
studying plants and traveling the world to see them where they grow in the Mediterranean climate areas of the world. Prof. Robert Ornduff, the late director of the Univ. of California Botanical Garden, encouraged him to write about these
plants and his travels. The result is a book giving the reader the best armchair picture of the vegetation of a very special part of the world.
A thoughtful, beautifully produced book.......2001-01-02
This book falls into a category somewhere between botany, climatology, and geography; it looks at several different types of "mediterranean climate" around the world, and describes the different vegetational types within each region, explaining (in a scholarly but accessible way) why these plant communities look the way they do.
It's beautifully produced, with both climate maps and full-color illustrations of plants and plant communities. I know of no other book that explains the relationship between geography and botanical ecology this elegantly; it's a lot of fun to browse, and I would recommend it *very* highly to armchair travellers with botanical inclinations.
A "must" for horticulralists and gardeners........2000-02-03
Peter Dallman's Plant Life In The World's Mediterranean Climates covers plants of California, Australia, South Africa and the Mediterranean, and will prove more accessible to general audiences studying plants. Here are photos, charts, and a host of details on plant communities and plant life common to this climate, with chapters providing both individual regional details and links between plants of each area. This is a highly recommended pick not just for specialty libraries, but for general collections.
Customer Reviews:
Lonely Planet Trekking in the Patagonian Andes.......2007-01-16
For the last year I've been planning a trip to Chile and Patagonia. This book has helped me plan and organize and decide which areas I want to see. This book has been full of helpful information about all the different treks in this region, the difficulty rating, miles, average days specific trails will take, and great maps. Not only does the book give great info about specific treks, it also gives really great information for newer backpackers, such as a checklist of what you should bring on the trek, what kind of food to bring, how to use a compass, first aid info, etc. (Though you should know these things before you trek around Patagonia.) I give this book 5 stars.
Lonely Planet Rocks.......2007-01-09
I am an avid traveler, hiker and explorer and have found the Lonely Planet guides to be the absolute BEST if your intention is to explore the "ins and outs" of a country without the services of an in-country guide or tour service. They are a valuable tool for the experienced treeker/hiker/tramper and also a great resource for the urban adventurer. Lonely planet pulls their data from a variety of folks- including locals, recent transplants and adventurers- who provide extremely relevant input for the books. I always find their rating of lodging and food accurate~~ low budget is truly low budget and their recommended picks are always clean, comfortable and well situated. I also find their description and maps of hiking/trekking/tramping routes very accurate, although I would still recommend using up-to-date topo maps, GPS or hiring a local certified guide if you are exploring off-piste, mountainous or rugged regions anywhere. There is no replacement for experience and sound judgment in the backcountry. This particular guide book is wonderfully laid out and their advice is keen. Unless you have a solid 3 months of time to adventure in more than one of the regions it is best to pick an area (like the Lakes District) and focus your time in one place. Obviously the Torres Del Paine or Fitz Roy regions see a lot of traffic but the other areas are absolutely fabulous, as well. While other guide books may cater to the "guided tour crowd", I find Lonely Planet caters more to the independent intrepid traveler. Two Thumbs Up. Enjoy your exploring....
amazing hikes, erroneous details.......2004-07-28
This book is a perfect introduction to the wealth of hiking possibilities in patagonia - many of them are still significantly under-used and of equal calibre to the more famous routes. The general information sections are quite good, and give a good feel for what conditions are like both trekking and travelling in general; a good purchase for planning your trip. Where the book falls down is on the actual trekking notes, which are consistently inaccurate, obscenely outdated and sometimes quite misleading (see other reviews). On this front, Cerro Electrico is not safe - however Cerro Electrico Oeste is safely climbable without mountaineering equipment (although crampons are a nice idea) and gives mind-blowing views of the rear of Fitzroy - I think this might be what the author actually had in mind.
The best use of this book is as an introduction/inspiration, then get hold of decent military maps (plentiful in santiago and buenos aires) and local advice (abundant) and go from there. Given that many of the treks require some degree of independence and judgement (especially in snow-bound regions), pretty much any information should be taken with a grain of salt and certainly should be double-checked independantly or at worst against common sense. It is a pity no better alternative exists, but the general information is good and if prepared, leave the fun of route-finding up to yourself.
An Unparallelled Resource.......2004-01-14
Like all Lonely Planet guides, Trekking in Patagonia is very much geared to independent trekkers. Considering how huge Patagonia is, the book covers it pretty thoroughly with a wide range of suggestions, from easy short walks right up to a few week-long ones. The text is strong on practical information like local transportation and accommodation and supplies wide coverage to flora and fauna, which is a real bonus.
Patagonia's five regions are arranged in chapters that go from north to south which the way most foreigners seem to travel. The information is set out very logically, with tables of routes and a small info box at the start of each walk so you know what to expect. I liked the book's simple but correct contoured maps that are given for every trek. Some walkers I met wanted the book to have more day walks but that's a matter of personal preference. I got alot out of my 5 weeks in Patagonia, thanks greatly to this book. Unless you're a complete jerker, you're not going to get lost with this! A warning though, sometimes it's hard slogging that may not suit pampered English hill-walkers.
This book is a veritable encyclopaedia that I found a real companion on the trails constantly taking it out for quick reference. It is indeed an unparallelled resource for trekking in Patagonia, so I'm awarding it 5 stars!
Well-done work.......2003-12-27
I am using the latest (thid ed.) on my second trip to South America. It an indispensable resource with very accurate text and maps which are quite accurate to use even if you you don't have a topo (yeah I know, but maps are not always easy to buy here). The routes carefuly prepared...this new edition has a whole lot of new trails. I'm also finding it up to date. One thing is maybe that the authors could have given better coverage to some areas such as the Pumalin. But this is more than enough material to spend a couple of summers down here anyhow, even if you just go for it! I definitely feel anyone that wants to trek in this region will be sorry if you don't have this book. Enjoy! Feel free to contact me privately for any info.
Ryan
Book Description
In this compelling narrative history, Peter Winn tells the story of the Chilean revolution as it was seen through the eyes of the participants. Winn focuses on workers at the Yarur plant, Chile's largest cotton mill, who seized control of their factory and began to socialize its operations. Allende's plans were less radical than their own and the workers found themselves on a collision course with the government. Winn, who interviewed both the workers and Allende while many of these events were taking place, captures the turning point in Chile's "democratic road to socialism"--in both the presidential palace and the Yarur mill. He demonstrates how the revolution was "forged from below" and explains political complexities that arose from the workers' confrontation with Allende, complexities that have both eluded American understanding and frustrated U.S. foreign policy. Integrating oral history and penetrating analysis, the book offers a striking new explanation of how revolutions are radicalized. A major reinterpretation of the Allende era in Chile, this book is also a human drama that exemplifies "the new narrative history" at its best.
Customer Reviews:
Good book about revolution from below in Allende's Chile.......2007-05-13
This book is a great read for anyone who studies Latin America or Chile or simply wants to learn more about Chile under Allende. The book describes the history of the Yarur textile mill from its creation to occupation and eventual return to Yarur family control. Winn gives a descriptive account of the unionizing efforts inside the mill.
Interesting Perspective.......2006-08-07
Winn is currently a History Professor at Tufts University (added the link to his office below) but at the time he began the research for this book he was completing his doctorate at Cambridge University. It is an interesting read, mostly documented with interviews with workers at the mill themselves. Winn gives good insight into the history of the mill itself and in doing so carefully explains the Chilean political class structure and the generational differences between the less politicized older workers and the more vocal younger workers.
His main thesis, is essentially that Allende was to cautious in believing that he could appease the Christian Democratic faction of the Popular Unity coalition and instead should have embraced the calls from his own Socialist Party faction to immediately turn over factories to workers. While one may disagree with his perspective, there is no doubt that this work should be read by people from all political stripes if they want a detailed work into the politics within the PU government and grassroots activism in Chile during the Allende years.
[...]
Conflict between a revolution from above and that from below.......2000-10-09
The seizure of Yarur factory on April 25, 1971 marked the beginning of a tumultuous struggle for socialism in Chile. Salvador Allende, of the popular unity party, ran on a platform that sought to unify the working population. Allende's vow to guide Chile down the democratic road to socialism is one of his greatest legacies. The democratic road to socialism was paved, at least symbolically, with the efforts of the working class. The failures and successes of Allende's travel through la "via Chilena" hinge on whether "the Chilean revolutionary process was of and by the workers or merely for the workers." Allende would die the death of a martyr: machine gun in hand in an enflamed national palace that had been besieged by a hostile coup. If Allende died the death of martyr, to whom was he a hero? Inconsistent with traditional revolutionary ideology Allende feared a rampant revolution. As a self-proclaimed Marxist his views irked both capitalists and the middle class. El presidente compañero, regardless, was a president for the people. His core constituency demanded a revolution from below and thus complicated the revolution from above that Allende attempted to impose. With these conflicts in mind Peter Winn analyzes the extent to which Allende (a socialist) both failed and succeeded as a revolutionary.
The micro politics of revolution.......1999-09-13
I agree with the last reviewer, except for her\his curious reference to this being a "Trotskyist" view. What I like about this book is the way one can see the dilemnas and perspectives of different actors within the coalition that backed Allende. Less an endorsement of any one tendency's political line, this book brings out the tragedy of various democratic revolutionary factions all trying to do the right thing and unable to unite the face of repression. Best of all, it links the perspectives of ordinary workers with the difficult choices face by leaders.
A tapestry of voices from the trenches of revolution.......1999-08-03
Winn's book gives a detailed (and Trotskyist) account of a "revolution from below" that transpired during Allende's "revolution from above." It depicts the struggles of textile workers as they grew conscious of their class standing, became unionized and, ultimately, siezed control of the nation's most prominant mill. In the end, however, Winn demonstrates how the Yarur workers and the Popular Unity government imagined different Chilean roads to socialism, and how this divergence brought the social revolution and the Ex-Yarur mill to a tragic conclusion. It is a well-crafted and readible book...a "must" for any student of Latin American history, social revolution or Marxist theory.
Average customer rating:
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The Civil Wars in Chile, Or, The Bourgeois Revolutions That Never Were
Maurice Zeitlin
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0691076650 |
Amazon.com
Subtitled A Treasury of Patterns for Patchwork & Appliqué, this comprehensive book is just that--250 pages of pattern-block diagrams accompanied by concise construction directions and small color photos of the made-up blocks in well-chosen colors. In addition, a prelimary chapter gives instructions for about 15 projects, and a tips and techniques section outlines the basics for making the blocks and the projects. Whether your tastes run to the more traditional (nine-patch, star, basket, or pineapple variations, among many others) or the more experimental (appliquéd orchids, cacti, or heraldic designs, for example), you're likely to find something of interest here.
Book Description
501 pieced and appliquéd quilt blocks, easily customized for unique, personalized themes.
40 step-by-step projects for using blocks in the form of wearables, personal accessories, and home and seasonal decorations.
Illustrated with more than 500 full-color photos and 600 line drawings.
Contains extensive ideas—from tea cozies and pillows to clothing and full-size quilts.
Customer Reviews:
Best Quilt Book .......2007-03-19
this is the top of the line in patterns. Service from Amazon couldn't be better. One happy customer.
Not for the young quilter.......2007-02-10
There are many ideas for quilt blocks in this book, and most of them are very... cute, but not in a good way. I personally don't like making blocks that are cats or dogs. This would be an excellent book for an older quilter who does things the old way, but if you are young and want something fresh and fun, try out Black Mountain Quilts, Cotton Way, or Kim Diehl.
Very useful book.......2007-02-01
Useful book with multitude of block patterns - I like especially the variety of applique designs. I have one problem: the binding is too tight to enable proper photocopying of designs on inside of pages, a nuisance when you want to enlarge a pattern.
501 Quilt Blocks: A Treasury of Patterns for Patchwork & Appliqué.......2006-08-25
I received this book in top condition and withing 10 days of ordering. Thank you!
Everything you ever wanted to quilt, and then some.......2005-09-17
There is only one thing I don't like about this book: It is so much fun to look at and read, I'll NEVER get around to cutting and sewing. But if I ever do make any of the fabulous blocks in this book, I am going to come out with fabulous quilts, hangings, table runners, and anything else I want. There are a few projects in here too, and the instructions and photos and pictures are all clear, concise and fun. I love this book, for the blocks and for the inspiration.
Book Description
Patagonia is a wild and windswept land located near the tip of South America that includes portions of Chile and Argentina. It features spectacular granite towers, some of the biggest glaciers in the southern hemisphere, and grassy steppes where colorful gauchos herd cattle and sheep across limitless prairies. It's a place that has always appealed to a special kind of traveler, lured by lofty summits and stupendous scenery. It's the kind of land where you can wander at will and find yourself lost in the most interesting ways.
Patagonia exudes a magnetic emptiness that calls forth a commensurate feeling for a newer, fresher, more hopeful world. Photographer Tim Hauf captures the spirit of this remarkable place in over 130 photographs that run the gamut from stunning vistas to intimate details. Conger Beasley provides an illuminating text that describes the fascinating history of this remote world, as well as its remarkable flora and fauna.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful photographs of a far away place.......2006-07-25
I bought this book because we are planning a trip to Patagonia. This book with its magnificent photographs has been a huge help in planning the trip. Not because it gives any travel tips, but the photographs speak for themselves. This is not a travel advice book. There is no information regarding where to stay or eat. However, the photographs tell me what not-to-miss sites to include in my tour. The photographs are so gorgeous that I cannot hardly wait to get there. This book plus a good South American travel agent have allowed me to establish a travel plan to the most scenic locations. The photographer must have spent a long time traveling the area. His views of glaciers, lakes, dramatic clouds and wildlife show his talent. Many outstanding panoramas are included. These must have been taken with a high quality panorama camera. This is a very nice photo book, to be looked at over and over again.
Patagonia a beautiful read!.......2004-07-21
I recommend this book highly. Tim Hauf?s remarkable photography captures the many regions of Patagonia - the diversity of landscapes, the various moods and raw beauty, a stark grandeur. The uncivilized immensity of mountains and water, sometimes filled with icebergs other times with whitecaps, some misty above the power of falls, leaves the viewer in awe. We are surprised and delighted by the variety of images, from the smallest of flowering bushes to the romping of guanacos, but overall we are speechless before the vastness of empty space. Fortunately, Conger Beasley?s text brings the photography into a semblance of understandable. By introducing us to the history of the region alongside tales of the personal journey that he shared with Hauf, Beasley brings the reader into the wild and foreign land as a fellow traveller. We are less intimidated by the endless wild.
Enhanced with an informative text.......2004-05-03
Tim Hauf is one of those photographers who raises to the level of visual art with his spectacular, full-color photography. Patagonia: Wild Land At The End Of The Earth continues to document his ability to capture truly memorable and impressive imagery -- this time to that wild and desolate region near the bottom-most tip of South American known as Patagonia. This latest showcase of Tim Hauf's photography is enhanced with an informative text by Conger Beasley as we tour through the history of this obscure but fascinating country which is sparsely populated, yet offers visions of granite towers, glaciers, wildlife, farmlands, and breathtaking landscapes of incredible beauty. Patagonia: Wild Land At The End Of The Earth is a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, and academic landscape photography collections.
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