Richard Thornton's book is an important study for understanding the diplomatic machinations of the Cold War era in general and the Reagan-Thatcher partnership within it in particular. Hitherto, the British-Argentine conflict has been treated either as a sideshow in the history of international relations or as a symbolic reassertion of British power in what seemed to be its imperial sunset. Thornton's approach is entirely new and original, setting the conflict sqaurely where it belongs in the chronology of Cold War history. With substantial support the author argues that the conflict was a sting designed to divest Argentina of its military government and nuclear weapons program (a little-known fact, the details of which are only recently being elaborating) while strenghthening America's strategic relationship with Thatcher's Britain. Thornton gives great care to relate the nature of the divisions existing within the various (American, British, Argentine) leaderships and how they influenced the outcome of the war. Particularly relevant to Cold War students is his treatment of the machinations behind Thatcher's ability to make a necessary war and Reagan's ability to support her. Thornton exposes the attempts of Alexander Haig and the "wet" foreign ministers Lord Carrington and Francis Pym to sideline the military solution, secure Thatcher's political defeat, and implement a renewed detente relationship with the Soviet Union. The Reagan-Thatcher defeat of the detente cabal is of crucial importance to understanding the origins of the war and the place of its outcome in Reagan's strategy of renewed containment. Barring a few factual errors of the minor sort, Thornton's analysis is a true example of what American scholarship of the Cold War should be. It is a proud refutation of the left-wing view that international relations are simplistic or irrelevant and that the broad social trend is what should concern historians most.

This book is GREAT!!!

It shows how three National Governments define their foreign policies working from/amongst/within their internal disputes. The 3 nations involved are Argentina, Great Britain and the United States. The issue at stake is the Argentine claim, and 2nd April 1982 take-over, of the Malvinas (for Great Britain: Falkland) Islands. I guess it could be just anything else...

So it goes:
1) In the US: Haig vs Weinberger
2) In the UK: Nott vs Thatcher
3) In Argentina: Galtieri vs Viola

The books even reveals how Argentina lost the islands because of the steps taken by General Viola (de facto president ousted by General Galtieri) to make sure that the take-over was anticipated, which in turn gave the UK the time-window they needed (badly) to perform the re-taking.

This is a fascinating work of detailed scholarship. Thornton has put together a compelling retelling of the War, and by giving us hitherto undisclosed details as to the political infighting within Argentina, the United Kingdom and the United States he has managed to give meaning to so many unanswered questions which other writers simply dismiss as being 'illogical' or 'unexplicable' behaviour. Piecing together a wide web of inter-related intrigue, Thornton has put the entire conflict into a whole new light. Highly recommended.

(4 1/2 stars) Graham Greene brings charecters together in a wonderful way in this powerful story. Set in provincial Argentinian town of exhausted passion, grim thoughts and absurb hope, Greene revolves this around a political kidnapping.

A mistaken American Ambassador, a pregnant prostitute, a doctor, revolutionarys, a priest, a novelist and a English teacher thrown into the dramatic mist of an affair and kidnapping. All this brings out the complexities of love and faith.
I read with great pleasure a wonderful writer.

I can't believe this book is out of print. It's one of Greene's best novels.

One of Greene's most spare and tension filled novels.

The book commences with a retrospective analysis -- thorough and complete -- of Argentina's history from viceroyalty to Peron. It traces the deep social roots of Spanish conquest and creole development within Argentine society. These concepts build upon one another in an outstanding work that explains Peron, his politics, his psychology, his return to the Casa Rosada from exile, and his country. There are too many historical/political characters for the first-time Latin American history reader, but definitely recommended to all interested in the region's past which somehow lingers on.

I have read most of the biographies available on Juan Perón, and I must say that this is by far the most culturally sensitive one I have ever found. This author helps to dispel many of the misconceptions about Juan Perón, who he was, and what he accomplished in Argentina. This book says that many of Juan Perón's failures and successes were pre-determined by his culture. The author then traces that culture back to its genesis with the Castile in Spain. This author's description of the Castile value systems and customs is very insightful and eloquent.

This book has so much breadth and depth and cultural understanding that it is amazing. This book has helped me greatly even in my own personal life because, though I am not Argentine, I am a part of the Hispanic Creole tradition that the author says Juan Perón belonged to, and this culture is often misunderstood. My Grandfather was from Mexico. The confusion that occurred in Argentina in regard to the Peróns is the same confusion that I have dealt with all my life. This book says that there are largely two worlds at work in Argentina: the Hispanic Creole world, and the Anglo world. I have lived within these two worlds myself, though I have done so in the United States. The misunderstandings that can occur between these two worlds, the lack of communication, can often be very painful and difficult. This book has truly helped me to understand and resolve many conflicts and confusions, including understanding my own father. This book has given me deep insight into myself, and has helped me understand and identify the common themes that run throughout all of Hispanic cultures and countries.

This author uses Evita herself as an example of cultural misunderstandings, and says that her legacy and behavior was often misinterpreted. He says she lived and died as a testimony to "the inability of one ethos truly to understand another." Even Evita's dying in public was an aspect of the Hispanic Creole preoccupation with death and the splendor and dignity associated with it, it was a public confirmation of devotion to her people. Those outside of this tradition did not hold this view of death and looked upon Evita's public dying as merely a sickening and morose political ploy, a desperate and offensive last-ditch cry for political propaganda. The author refers to such misunderstandings as "the legacy of incomprehension."

It is this "lacuna," this cultural misunderstanding, that led to many other grossly inaccurate "projections" onto Perón and Evita by their opposition and foreigners. The most common of these "projections" being the belief, still held by some, that Perón and Evita were fascists and nazis, thus: "Peronism was not fascism . . ." [page 220]; "Peronism was not nazism . . . 'there is less anti-semitism in Buenos Aires (in the 1940s) than in New York City'" [page 221]; "The names of Perón and Evita were everywhere . . . (t)he domestic opposition to Perón found all of this distressing, and so did general opinion outside Argentina. Many concluded it was part of a dictatorial buildup, or the conscious campaign for ego-satisfaction by a pair of leaders thirsting for glory. But this missed the point. Rather, adulation personalized in this manner was another facet of the symbiosis between the leader in the caudillo-oriented Creole tradition and his followers, a generally spontaneous response by loyal supporters of a strong ruler." [page 211]

This author helps the reader to see Juan Perón clearly. Juan Perón was not a saint, but he was not the devil many have made him out to be. He was a politician composed of the good and bad present in all politicians. And he was misunderstood.

I have read most of the biographies available on Juan Perón, and I must say that this is by far the most culturally sensitive one I have ever found. This author helps to dispel many of the misconceptions about Juan Perón, who he was, and what he accomplished in Argentina. This book says that many of Juan Perón's failures and successes were pre-determined by his culture. The author then traces that culture back to its genesis with the Castile in Spain. This author's description of the Castile value systems and customs is very insightful and eloquent.

This book has so much breadth and depth and cultural understanding that it is amazing. This book has helped me greatly even in my own personal life because, though I am not Argentine, I am a part of the Hispanic Creole tradition that the author says Juan Perón belonged to, and this culture is often misunderstood. My Grandfather was from Mexico. The confusion that occurred in Argentina in regard to the Peróns is the same confusion that I have dealt with all my life. This book says that there are largely two worlds at work in Argentina: the Hispanic Creole world, and the Anglo world. I have lived within these two worlds myself, though I have done so in the United States. The misunderstandings that can occur between these two worlds, the lack of communication, can often be very painful and difficult. This book has truly helped me to understand and resolve many conflicts and confusions, including understanding my own father. This book has given me deep insight into myself, and has helped me understand and identify the common themes that run throughout all of Hispanic cultures and countries.

This author uses Evita herself as an example of cultural misunderstandings, and says that her legacy and behavior was often misinterpreted. He says she lived and died as a testimony to "the inability of one ethos truly to understand another." Even Evita's dying in public was an aspect of the Hispanic Creole preoccupation with death and the splendor and dignity associated with it, it was a public confirmation of devotion to her people. Those outside of this tradition did not hold this view of death and looked upon Evita's public dying as merely a sickening and morose political ploy, a desperate and offensive last-ditch cry for political propaganda. The author refers to such misunderstandings as "the legacy of incomprehension."

It is this "lacuna," this cultural misunderstanding, that led to many other grossly inaccurate "projections" onto Perón and Evita by their opposition and foreigners. The most common of these "projections" being the belief, still held by some, that Perón and Evita were fascists and nazis, thus: "Peronism was not fascism . . ." [page 220]; "Peronism was not nazism . . . " [page 221]; "The names of Perón and Evita were everywhere . . . (t)he domestic opposition to Perón found all of this distressing, and so did general opinion outside Argentina. Many concluded it was part of a dictatorial buildup, or the conscious campaign for ego-satisfaction by a pair of leaders thirsting for glory. But this missed the point. Rather, adulation personalized in this manner was another facet of the symbiosis between the leader in the caudillo-oriented Creole tradition and his followers, a generally spontaneous response by loyal supporters of a strong ruler." [page 211]

This author helps the reader to see Juan Perón clearly. Juan Perón was not a saint, but he was not the devil many have made him out to be. He was a politician composed of the good and bad present in all politicians. And he was misunderstood.

I would recommend POOR PEOPLE'S POLITICS to anyone interested in studies of Evita, Peronism, and modern Argentina. I found it very interesting to read that Evita has become, for many women within the Peronist movement, an icon that they want to emulate. This book even refers to women who are "playing Evita."

But I think we need to be a little cautious about a few things. For starters, POOR PEOPLE'S POLITICS is not really culturally sensitive. In my experience (I grew up in Hispanic culture and was once an exchange student to Argentina), Hispanic culture and sensibilities are very different from Anglo Saxon sensibilities. For example, all Hispanic cultures are deeply Catholic, whereas all Anglo Saxon cultures are rooted in Protestantism. Without bridging the gap between the two worldviews, we often can come to conclusions about things that are wrong or at the least have great misunderstandings. For example, the idea of "clientalism" seems quite corrupt by Anglo Saxon standards, but it possesses - at least in my opinion - many of the underlying characteristics of the Catholic and Hispanic culture and worldview.

Robert D. Crassweller writes in PERON AND THE ENIGMAS OF ARGENTINA that many people have believed that Peronist populism was all bread and circus bartered for political support. But he argues that such an appraisal is much too narrow a view of human purpose, and that "a great deal that was religious and quasi-religious went into the enfolded depths of Peronism." Yet another difference is that in the United States ideas of freedom are founded on a striking down of centralized power, whereas Peronist Argentina viewed freedom in terms of the rights that a centralized power granted you (the "clientalism" that Auyero refers to in POOR PEOPLE'S POLITICS is, indeed, a type of centralized power). Crassweller says that an understanding of these two almost diametrically opposed notions can be helpful (as they were largely the cause of the difficult relationship between the United States and Peronist Argentina), but concedes that such understanding is elusive at best.

Javier Auyero makes no real attempt to explain the cultural differences, nor does he try to shed light on the "religious depth" of which Crassweller speaks. Rather, Auyero presents the situation in Argentina under the assumption that the populace has the same cultural foundation as the United States and the other Anglo societies. Therefore, I found POOR PEOPLE'S POLITICS to be interesting in parts, but somewhat shallow in other areas. For a more culturally sensitive take on Peronism, consult Robert D. Crassweller's PERON AND THE ENIGMAS OF ARGENTINA and INSIDE ARGENTINA FROM PERON TO MENEM by Lawrence Levine.

Where should we shelve this book? Does it matter? Should it be in LAtin American Studies? Should it be in sociology? The people that auyero portraits with the skill of s craftman could not be Argentinean. They could be in every day New York at the kitchen soups, they could have lived in the old days of italian immigration. Rather that concentrating in names and places the aim of this book is to find the ways in which every day people make sense of their lifes while being in a situation of opression; to find the ways in which there could be resistance inside acts catalogues as domination and at the same time maintain the idea of domination intact. This book os a must for every person interested in Argentina, for every person interested in LAtin America, for every people ineterested in the sociological analysis of everyday life and political domination. Integrating theory and empiria, this book is a readable one, even though it doesn't run away from theory. As a grad student and an adjunct teacher myself, I think it could be a great undergrad and grad textbook.

This is a truly outstanding work. Hardly anyone did the kind of fieldwork Auyero did, hardly anyone illuminates the way in which the poor in Argentina manage to solve their everyday survival problems and, in the process, become subordinated in a powerful domination network. I would recommend this book not only to those interested in Latin American politics but also to those who want to know what a theoretically-inspired ethnography looks like.

Well written book about Crouch's interesting life and a vivid picture of his climbing trips to Patagonia. Crouch's point of view is unglamorous; his descriptions (and pictures) of base camp hovels are disgusting, the climbs sound miserable, and the weeks of waiting for good weather seem mindnumbing. And yet, to paraphrase the author, he'd rather be no where else. This curious incongruity kept me engrossed in the book to the end. A very rewarding read.

Beautifully written and evocative--makes you feel you're on a frozen bivy ledge with the author. Suitable for savvy mountaineers and armchair adventurers alike. The author has made several impressive ascents yet is quite honest about his failings, dumb mistakes, weaknesses and fears. I liked his assertion there are no "important routes" in mountaineering except as they are important to the individual mountaineer--who cares if others know of your successes? A few minor complaints: near the end, the author waxes a little too flowery for me on the spiritual and mystical attributes of climbing--it's still only snow & rock; a couple of small grammatical mistakes ["none" really is a singular pronoun...]; and some problems with parallels ["The depth and breadth of my Patagonian peregrinations are just that--wide and deep..."]. Without getting too maudlin or detailed, the author traces nicely his growth as an adult and alpinist, especially his Army years, and shows how his earlier years impacted his climbing. I had always been leery about trying to climb in Patagonia because the weather seemed to make it a poor bet but Crouch has stirred me to the point where I plan to give it a try, with modest expectations. His book suggests how the place itself, with all the wildness of nature, could be a suitable goal.

If you climb and have a deep-rooted passion for the emotions that climbing stirs in you then I would highly recommend this book. You don't have to be on the cutting edge of climbing to understand in your heart what Crouch talks about in Enduring Patagonia. Empathy, focus, inner-demons, harmony, determination, pain, self-realization and the laurels of success are the streams of conscious thought that are conveyed so beautifully in Crouch's book. If you climb you know that all these feeling come out in great strength throughout almost every climb. I've never been able to put into words all the emotions and the reason for ones passion of climbing but Crouch's book does a stellar job of wording our obsession with the sport and lifestyle.

This travel publication is comprehensive with its 1000+ pages even in digital format. A serious concern which buyers should be aware of , is the fact that none of the information is printable. Should you require maps etc to take along on your travels , the digital version is not for you.

The most comprehensive guide to Argentina ever written, this 1,000-page gem covers the country from top to toe. Over 2,500 locations are profiled - mountains, rivers, preserves, villages, historic sites, cities. What to see and do, where to stay and eat and when to visit. From each main center you are offered a selection of excursions. More than 150 maps, plus e-mail addresses and useful Websites.

From the author, Gerry Leitner: Argentina! The name conjures up visions of the pampas, gauchos and tango.

But Argentina has much more to offer: Argentina is home of the highest mountain in South America, it shares with Brazil the mighty Iguazu falls and in the far south it has some awe-inspiring glaciers. But did you know that the north-western part formed once part of the great Inca Empire? In fact one of the main Inca trails coming down from Bolivia traverses the north western altiplano region of Argentina

linking many pre-columbian settlements right down to the Province of Mendoza. Many of which are still waiting for the arrival of the archeologist. Add to this the many national parks, beaches and backed up with a very modern infrastructure and you have got the makings of a wonderful travel destination.

This book was written with the intent to give the reader - whether backpacker or discerning five-star traveler - the most complete view of this fascinating tourist destination. "Travel Companion Argentina" was not tied to an accountant's budget: no effort was spared to bring to my readers the best available information. I have covered at least 90% of all places where either there is something of tourist interest or there are tourist facilities. I can safely say that my bus information tables are the most complete: listed are services to even small, distant places: if there is a bus, frequency, fares, and traveling time are indicated. Back ground information includes history, economy of provinces and towns, notes on local dishes and type of food served in restaurants. Fishing, skiing, white water rafting, mountaineering, bird watching and how to contact specialist tour operators by phone, fax or even e-mail, all are covered in this book. The book weighs 12oz; hardly excessive for the amount of information it contains.

So become an "armchair traveler" first reading what my book has to say about this wonderful travel destination and then if you feel that this is what you want to see personally, proceed to make your travel plan. Yes, with my "Travel Companion Argentina" you can make an almost perfect travel plan taking into consideration your time available - and of course the money you wish to spend. And don't forget to take this travel guide with you in case you want to change some travel plans on the spot.

I hasten to add that Argentina with its climate ranging from the tropics to subantarctic is a travel destination all year round.

The book is well done overall. But I thought Dr. Simpsons attitudes toward Patagonian poeple and culture were through a myoptic pair of American/European glasses.

It is fun to read this book as the second in a trilogy. The first is Darwin's "Voyage of the Beagle", the third is Bruce Chatwin's "In Patagonia". Chatwin's appreciation of Patagonian people and culture is much more to my liking.

Don Bailey jeep1104@yahoo.com

This is an odd book. It is hard to find, even for an experienced haunter of used book stores, and not many people have read it. But once you vicariously join the Scarrit Expedition hunting fossils in the Patagonian wilderness in the early 1930s, you may never completely recover. "Attending Marvels" is a trip into several lost worlds at once: most obviously that of the "whole lot of other ---ontotheres" that dominated South American fauna before the Isthmus of Panama rose, but also into the almost incredibly isolated and harsh lives of the Patagonians. But the trip that takes the reader furthest is into Simpson's outlook. He is endlessly curious, delighted with everything in the natural world, and able to appreciate and communicate with people who are as culturally different from him as a fellow human could be. This wide-eyed gusto for the world shows in his lyrical descriptions of such unpromising subjects as hedgehogs, yerba mate, and of course, bits of fossilised bone. True, there are also national politics, academic politics, martial law and a homicidal maniac but none of these are as important to Simpson or as vivid to the reader as the fossil snake. It is a prime example of the scientist/naturalist world view at its best. "Atending Marvels" is also great fun to read. It is full of wonderful anecdotes and some very funny passages; some lines ("You can't possibly kill anyone before the 15th of the month"; "This is your Patagonia--keep it beautiful", "Es triste, non?") have become code phrases among my friends and family. So take the effort to find this book; the trip is worth the trouble.

I first read this book many years ago, and it is one of the best books I have ever read. I started reading not knowing anything about Patagonia, or the subject of the book, but was quickly swept into a real life adventure. I have taken several trips with a vague destination and purpose in mind, but found the journey was far more interesting than the goal. This is one of those adventures. The book is about a constant unfolding landscape of people, places, and things, where each new discovery is a suprise to the reader. Too bad it is out of print, but my copy is not for sale.

nesecito comprar este libro en la version , en castellano, editada por pavilton books limited , mail me at dozo@sinectis.com.ar Thank You ! Mariano

This is one of the best Fangio books available.
Stirling Moss, one of the greatest drivers ever, shows his admiration for the Maestro. This is not just a book by a fan. It is a book by a specialist that actually ran against Fangio and knew what he was capable of. Moss is not a man to demean himself and he describes the fights against Fangio, justlty proud of when he beat him (mainly in sports cars).
It is touching that so great a driver as Moss really is capable of such humility in the face of the one which was, perhaps, the greatest driver ever.
There are many features of interest, on Fangio the man and his incredible combination of competitiveness and goodwill and good sportsmanship, on his racing tactics and on his early and later years. The pictures are interesting.
There is also a Video to match which also is a must.

A must read for anyone with the slightest interest in motor racing history and the men who made it great. Fangio's life, his achievements and his spirit is presented in intimate detail by his greatest rival and friend, Stirling Moss.

Beginning with his early racing throughout Latin America, this book chronicles the successes - and tragedies - that made Fangio a living legend. The insights and personal notes by Moss bring the entire book alive.

This legend is a great way to start talking to students about the Mayan people of long ago. The illustrations are bright and interesting. The pictures could start a discussion! The message about a jealous uncle and a kings passing could be compared to the Lion King if you are comparing legends.

I bought this book for my Guatemalan born son and can't wait until he's old enough to read it to him. The illustrations are quite beautiful. It troubles me a bit that the story is violent with the evil uncle plotting against his nephew - but at the same time it's the same plot as the Lion King, only with a different ending. Nevertheless I would say this is a story for five-year olds and above.

This is a great book if you teach native american history and culture. Especially if you teach about native american tribes that existed in Mexico and Central America. The book does a great job of portraying Maya life/culture. It tells the story a Mayan prince who receives a visit from a sacred bird when he is born. The sacred bird leaves a feather as a present for this newborn prince. From this day on the prince carries the feather with him for good luck and fortune. The feather protects him of all evil or from being hurt, he is basically invincible. His people love this prince because he protects them. But there is a Mayan warrior who is jealous of the prince. His envy makes him steal this feather from the prince, the prince then dies in a battle. But the Mayan people still believe that this prince protects over them in a mysterious way.

Good but not great. The book follows all the story of tango but there is something missing....many of the pictures are unfortunately 2-paged and cannot be appreciated (plus I couldnt find any passion in any but 2 of them) although the book seems to getting better as you go towards the end. The edition is of course luxury but i can't say i was amazed. Anyhow a good choice for an absolute beginner to tango but I would suggest Horacio's Salas "the tango" in every case.

Until I read "¡Tango!", most of what I knew from tango was what was told by instructors, including Daniel Trenner, Brooke Burdett, half a dozen Argentine nationals, an equal number of Canadians, and a Belgian. It was exciting to get all the information I needed in one place. Tango is more than just music and dance. It is a cultural phenomenon that began in the barrios and bordellos of Buenos Aires and Montevideo, and spread throughout the world. At the base of this cultural phenomenon is the relationship between a man and a woman. Tango is not just an American or South American phenomenon. It has spread throughout the world, and is popular in such diverse countries as Finland and Turkey, as well as those areas where it evolved.

The text of the book is outstanding and well documented. I was pleased with the choice of artwork, old and contemporary photographs, and page layout. It gave me a great understanding of the tango as a cultural phenomenon. There is an excellent bibliography and the text is referenced with footnotes for those who wish to go to some original sources. I am one of those people who are always looking for recommendations for music, and I was pleased to see a two-page listing of tangos, which are available on compact disc. For those who travel, there is a listing of international tango centers. It is an incomplete list, but it would be helpful for those who travel a lot for business or pleasure.

If you like tango, this would be a good book to start your collection. Then you can proceed with "Le Grand Tango: The Life and Music of Astor Piazzola."

For a person just discovering the Argentine tango (or who wants to), this is an interesting, beautiful, coffee table book. It's filled with gorgeous illustrations and photographs, as well as poetry, lyrics and fun, historical tidbits about the music & history. It rambles, but that just makes it more fun to open it up and start reading from anywhere. It's been the kind of book that has made even my non-tango friends interested in the dance and cultures behind it.