Reviews (1)

Good but flawed
It is unfortunate that author Gaines allowed her own political views to blemish her book. It is still a worthy book, covers a wide range of history, explores the amazing engineering feat that the canal represented. She also reminds us of the horrible unhealthy conditions which existed before the Americans arrived. That more than any thing else is why the French failed and why others were reluctant to take on the challenge. Even in this country Theodore Roosevelt had to ignore a plethora of reasons why his favorite project would fail. Although many contributed American ingenuity and leadership made "the dirt fly!"
Gaines is wrong in saying that the United States acted in an inappropriate fashion towards Panama. That simply is not true! I have studied U.S-Panama relations for over forty years and have written three books, etc. Let's set the record straight. Panama in the year 2004 has 40% of its population living in poverty. That was never the case when the U.S. ran the canal. ... Read more

Book Description

Many pre-Hispanic civilizations were the most advanced of their times. You will read about their progressions in agriculture, their profound research and understanding of medicinal plants, architecture, and astronomy, their intricate writing systems, and their prodigious artistic productions. The text is easy to read and poetic. The illustrations are thoroughly researched and masterfully done. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Drop In On Argentina is betther then I expected
A very pleasent book. Very positive. Good for kids in primary grades. It shows Argentina from beautiful Buenos Aires, to Tierra Del Fuego, the southernmost city in the world. It is a "easy to read" book, with plenty of pictures that will take you on a trip around the country. It shows Argentina's cowboys, food, dance, water falls and more. It makes it easy to picture the country's location on the globe by using simple explanations as the meaning of the word "hemisphere". Children will easily understand why the seasons are opposit from the Northen hemisphere. ... Read more

Book Description

Young readers are taken on a tour of this breathtaking land, home ofLake Titicaca, the mighty Amazon, and the world's deepest gorge, Colca Canyon. ... Read more

Book Description

Photojournalist Bernard Wolf traveled to Cuba to produce a book of photographs that give a rare picture of what life is like today on this economically strapped island so close to our shores. The striking, perceptive photographs are accompanied by sprightly text that explains the situation and gives some brief background on Castro's Cuba. Readers are then introduced to a twelve-year-old girl and her family. She is thedaughter of two artists, who are well-off by Cuban standards, and American children can compare their lives with hers. Always highly praised for his gorgeous photography, Bernard Wolf presents a sensitive portrait of a talented girl and her immediate world. ... Read more