Reviews (2)

Love, Laughs and Tears
Carman Agra Deedy is outstanding. My granddaughters can't get enough of this tape. We all love to listen as we travel in the car. I've about worn it out.I've been a fan of hers since she first published agatha's Featherbed and used that book all over the country doing teacher workshops.
As the principal of an elementary school in SC, I'd loved to find out how to get a hold of Mrs. Agra Deedy to cotract for her to come to my school.

Growing Up Cuban in Decatur GA
This book on tape was the best one that I have ever listened to! The content, stories of the author's childhood, were emotionally captivating. There are areas that every single person can relate to - funny, sad, inspiring and enlightening. Ms Deedy's tales brought me back to my childhood (growing up in a large Italian family in a small town).

This is a great car tape, because the stories are all individual and relatively brief, making it easy to 'pop' the tape in for great entertainment! ... Read more

Book Description

Today, most of his fans recognize him as Joe Dominguez, Don Johnson's long-time friend and cop partner from Nash Bridges. And if you are old enough, you might remember back more than twenty years when he was one-half of the comedy team "Cheech and Chong." But, not everyone knows that Cheech (Richard Antonio) Marin has released three educational music CDs for children, has three different hot sauces named for him, and owns one of the largest collections of Chicano art. After a very long, productive career in Hollywood, Cheech Marin proclaims that in all the roles he's taken, he has always proudly played a Latino. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Mexican American journalist John Phillip Santos's lyrical and loving memoir explores his family's history in magnificent prose touched with the singing cadences of his Spanish-language heritage yet vibrant with the energy of American English. It's a combination utterly suited to his native San Antonio, where las viejitas--the little old ladies of the Garcia and Santos families--ruled over their children and grandchildren with the toughness and grandeur of the Mexico they left during the revolution of 1914. "Poised between those ancient Indio origins from the south ... and our Mestizo future in the north," these new Texans made Mexico live for their descendants in the magical stories and folkloric practices of an older culture. Yet there was also a sense of secrets kept and cherished possessions left behind, of people who had traveled far and traveled light. The "wind of story" was also "a wind of forgetting," and as Santos probes his heritage, he comes to understand that "it is okay to move on and forget." Nonetheless, this is a book that restores to memory the drama not just of a single family but of an entire people whose past is more closely entwined with that of the United States than some Americans care to remember. Santos depicts them with care and dignity. --Wendy Smith ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Magical Realsim: An Extraordinary Explanation of Definition
So often the essence of Hispanic culture, especially when addressing Mexico, Central and South America, is referred to as "Magical Realism". Whether referring to the literature of Marquez, Allende, Arenas, the paintings of Kahlo, Rivera, Bravo, Marquez, Borges, or the music of Ginestera, et al - the unifying element usually refers to this genre. Few authors have been successful in describing the origins or even the meaning of the term...that is, until John Phillip Santos elegantly warm memoir PLACES LEFT UNFINISHED AT THE TIME OF CREATION. Santos revisits his history through the immediacy of immigrant (yet unaltered) Old Ladies, creating from their tales a lush, incendiary canvas of passion, faith, commitment, hardship, and resilience. He adroitly mixes the two languages (Spanish and English) with finesse, at times translating for the non-Spanish reader, and at times allowing the beauty of his Spanish phrases to sing for themselves. This book is a paean to the sanctity of the souls of the immigrants who have endured the agony of expatriation, who have entered El Norte to find, if not their fortunes, then their integrity as human beings. This beautifully written book should be on the shelves of the libraries of schools throughout the USA...but it should also be in the library of everyone who wonders about the beauty of the Hispanic heritage - which for lack of a better name we call Magical Realism.

Literary Masterpiece
JP Santos is a master of the human language. In this day and age of bestseller who-cares-who-done-its it's refreshing to see a masterpiece of literature emerge to the forefront. This is a must read for anyone serious about literary excellence.

An extraordinary book written by a true poet
An amazingly eloquent book. The book reads like poetry, and has a language rarely seen in today's writing. Places Left Unfinished at the Time of Creation is truly one of the most beautifully written books of 1999. It is not your typical book written for a limited reader. The prose are prolific and wrought with amazing imagery. It is so refreshing to read a book written by someone with such a gift for language. Places Left Unfinished paints a very interesting and accurate story of a culture in transition, through the story of a family in touch with its past and exploring its future. This is truly a book lover's book!

Fascinating subject matter but poorly written and edited
Santos' account of his family history is interesting, particularly the mystery surrounding his grandfather's depression and suicide. But the actual writing of this book is flawed and repetitive. The sentences drone on, clauses piling up without any seeming connection. And the author's compunction to end every section with a pithy meditative comment gets annoying quickly. Definitely wait for the paperback on this one.

Beautifully written account of the Chicano experience.
Santos eloquently and humbly unfolds his story, his family's story, our story. Like the millions of Mexican-American families who repeatedly cross the border in order to sustain their lives and history, Santos crosses back and forth with tender testimonials, giving life to the varied and vigorous communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. It is a splendid memoir filled with universal themes of strong family bonds and appreciation for remembering the past. The author is subtle but powerful in his writing. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a set of stories about Ecuadorians of African decent from 16th century to the present. Written with meticulous investigation, they have just the right language and writing style to captivate all types of readers, specially the young ones who will vibrate when entering in these stories full of emotion and enthusiasm.

Description in Spanish: Conjunto de relatos sobre el pueblo negro ecuatoriano, desde el siglo XVI hasta nuestros días. Escritos tras una pacienciosa investigación, tienen el lenguaje apropiado para cautivar a todo tipo de lectores, especialmente los jóvenes que vibrarán al adentrarse en estas historias plenas de emoción y dramatismo. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Afro Ecuadorians Emerge from the Shadows
"Y Su corazon escapo para convertirse en pajaro¨" is a moving, wonderfully written, important book about the history of the Afro Ecuadorians who live on the northwest coast and in the highland Chota Valley of Ecuador, an Andean country that lies between Colombia and Peru. Edna Itturalde has two purposes in writing. The first is to enchant children with exciting stories and persuade them that reading is a wonderful way to spend your time. The other is to give pride in their heritage to children (and adults) from Ecuador's downtrodden ethnic and cultural groups. This book is equal to Itturalde's other books: Verde fue mi Selva, JR Machete, and Caminantes del Sol. With reason the four books have become Ecuador's most popular children's books, selling more copies than Harry Potter and being used in many schools as required reading. These books are outstanding contributions to South American children's literature. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Sick of Schools Forgetting The Really Important People?

This is one of those books you MUST read. Don't let a traditional education turn you into a comsumer zombie. Learn about YOUR history and herstory! The PEOPLE'S HISTORY. NOT THE CORPORATION'S HISTORY! NOT THE RICH WHITE MAN'S HISTORY!

There are more important people out there than ever were revealed to you in public or catholic schools, Hector.

Great For Bio Lovers!
There are lots of people in this world.But only these ten made it in this book!Its Great for people who dont know much about people!Such as Roberto Clemente and Jaime Escalante!Roberto was a baseball player and Jaime was a Teacher! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

the best of tejano selena
the reason i read the book because her life was a really bad and they event teake care ver well they even have security like all kind of artist right know i thikn if she you even die her concert will be continu thats my opinio so i miss her so much that was my fan.

interesting
Coming up on the 5th anniversary with Selena's death, we have time to reflect on her life and the story of her struggle. It is appropriate that her memory is still everywhere. Selena's trajectory and her impact in the Tex-Mex world is demonstrated in the interesting "Billboard Guide to Tejano and regional Mexican Music," on Billboard Books. Selena was only one of several rising stars which helped change the market

This book is great for children .
This is a wonderful book for hispanic students or students learning about different cultures. It includes great pictures and factual information in a non-threatening way. Great addition to personal library. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A great book for the scientifically-oriented child
In "Hispanic Scientists," Jetty St. John has written short biographies of 5 fascinating individuals: biomedical engineer Carlos A. Ramirez, astronaut and optics expert Ellen Ochoa, zoopharmacognosy pioneer Eloy Rodriguez, neurology researcher Lydia Villa-Komaroff, and botanist Maria Elena Zavala.

St. John offers insights into both the lives and work of these scientists. The book contains many photographs, as well as a useful glossary and other resources.

If your child seems to be fascinated by dirt, bugs, cloud formations, body secretions, or other natural phenomena, she just might be exhibiting the beginnings of scientific curiosity. And "Hispanic Scientists" may inspire her, regardless of her own ethnic background, to take that curiosity to some amazing places. ... Read more

Book Description

In the 1950s, white pop stars like Elvis Presley and Pat Boone sold millions of ablums. Most people didn't think a Latino could become a star. Ritchie Valens changed that. He was famous before he turned eighteen, but his life ended tragically in a plane crash. Today the songs he sang are still enjoyed by millions. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

A biography of the New York Yankee center fielder, Bernie Williams, winner of the 1998 American League batting title. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wondrously researched and informative.
I simply could not believe what a gem of a book this turned out to be!The insight the author has for all the personal relationships behind the public eyes and the pictures that detailed the chapters were so marvelous I could not believe this has not been made as a starting point for ones research into the history of Texas.I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I think it is an important book
I like this n\book because it tought me a lot about how the author's background relates to the stories that she writes. The book was much more interesting and understandable once I knew about the one who wrote it! ... Read more

Book Description

Raucous adobe hearts and urban violet mascara.Televised immigration games and ethnic sit-coms. Chile con karma served on a bed of race.In a startling melange of poetry, prose, journal entries, and even a screenplay, Zen Chicano desperado Juan Felipe Herrera pushes forms to the edge of possibility while forcing readers to rethink reality as well as language. ... Read more

Book Description

For decades, Americans have been fascinated by the complexity and rich history of baseball. No other sport has captivated so many fans. The New Face of Baseball explores a different chapter in baseball's chronicles, one often ignored but remarkably influential. Into the tapestry of baseball history, Tim Wendel weaves the stories of its Latino athletes -- who they are and how they helped transform the sport into what it is today.

Going as far back as the mid-nineteenth century, to the early days of Cuban baseball, Wendel traces the spread of American baseball fever in the Caribbean and Mexico, and discusses lesser-known historical standouts, including Adolfo Luque, the first Hispanic to play in the World Series (in 1923), and Martin Dihigo, a black Cuban whom many baseball insiders consider the greatest ballplayer of all time.

Wendel masterfully describes the days when only light-skinned Latinos were allowed to participate in Major League competition, much like their inspirational African American counterparts, and the linguistic barrier Latinos were confronted with when playing on teams with "English-only" rules inside their dugouts.

Featuring material on Roberto Clemente, Fernando Valenzuela, and Sammy Sosa, as well as interviews with Latino superstars past and present -- such as Alex Rodriguez, Ivan Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, Alfonso Soriano, and the Hernandez brothers -- The New Face of Baseball helps fans of America's favorite pastime to understand the history of those who bring hope and honor every season to the teams they have given their lives to, and the Hispanic culture that, if allowed, can lie hidden and unnoticed under a team jersey.

With a foreword by Bob Costas, the first-ever-published Latino All-Century Team featuring players selected by Omar Minaya, and photos taken by award-winning Sports Illustrated photographer Victor Baldizon, this important book is sure to make as much of a splash a the Latino players themselves -- the new faces of baseball.

Reviews (1)

Good Stuff!
Okay, let's start with my admission that I'm not a baseball fan. I knew the game from childhood but the big money and greed have alienated many of us who enjoyed baseball as kids. That being said, I found that The New Face of Baseball refreshing enough to evoke some of those feelings that made me appreciate baseball in the first place. The book has to do with talented Latino baseball players like Clemente, Cepeda, and Sosa. The common element is that these players played the game elsewhere before coming the United States, places where the game is more sacred and believe it or not more important than here in America.

The books consists of short stories about many of today's heroes that have quickly become baseball superstars, and those older stars who paved the way for the younger Latino players much the way Robinson and Dobry did for African American players. The author uses player interviews and past experiences of his own to give the reader a greater appreciation for what players Latin America have done for today's game.

Maybe the most interesting part is the All Century Latino team listed at the end of the book. It's a lineup that would challenge any other all-star team, past or present. ... Read more