In Focus Guatemala: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture | 
| Author: Trish O'kane
Publisher: Latin America Bureau
Category: Book
List Price: $12.95
Buy New: $7.67
You Save: $5.28 (41%)
New (18) Used (12) Collectible (1) from $3.49
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 126695
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 94
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.4
ISBN: 1566562422
Dewey Decimal Number: 917.2810453
EAN: 9781566562423
ASIN: 1566562422
Publication Date: February 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: 100408
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Product Description
This new series of country guides is designed for travellers and students who want to understand the wider picture and build up an overall knowledge of a country. Each In Focus guide is a lively and thought-provoking introduction to the country's people, politics and culture. The In Focus guides will brief you on: The history: Conquest, life as a colony, quest for independence and the building of a modern nation. How history can help explain today's society and politics. The people: Who lives where, how they live. The different worlds of the poor and the rich; blacks, Indians and whites; Arabs and Jews; indigenous, disenfranchised and dispossessed peoples; human rights. The culture: What to read, what to see, what to hear. Who's who in literature, music, dance, theater and cinema. Roots and rites of different religions. Folk traditions and indigenous cultural celebrations. The politics: Who runs the country, who wants to run the country. Power and conflict between political parties, the military, guerillas and grassroots organizations. Historical ties to the U.S. The economy: What the country produces and exports, how the economy has developed, the impact of foreign debt and free market reforms, who gains and who loses, presence and role of U.S. corporations. Where to go, what to see: Must-see landmarks, lists of monuments and historical sites as well as the author's expert tips on what to see and do to get the most out of a short trip to the country. Plus... -- Facts and figures -- Chronology -- Practical advice -- Nontourist travel -- Further reading -- Useful addresses -- Color and b&w photos -- Maps
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| Customer Reviews:
quick & informative January 22, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
We are adopting from Guatemala and have been desperate to find books to read on the country & culture. This offered a quick glance into the specifics of the country: a brief history, economy, politics, religion, the people, etc. Very good for a general overview of Guatemala. I would recommend to any adopting parent that is going there!
 Guatemala from the eyes of a concerned American March 17, 2006
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Seldom have I seen such an easy read which is a concise, accurate, and to-the-point review of the Guatemalan Maya and their progeny from the Classic Period to the 1990s. In the interests of brevity, early cultural history is scanned, but the essential information is covered from 209 AD to the entrada of the Spanish Conquistadors led by the cruel Pedro de Alvarado and continuing through the multiple exploitations that occurred to recent days. The role of the United Fruit Company, the military, and the CIA are discussed frankly. Topics of the economy and society are succinctly covered as are current religious practices with the syncretism of the Catholic, Mayan, and the encroaching protestant sects. Visit Guatemala and you will know that these tough, resilient people, both Mayan and Ladino, are not to be denied. While there, visit with individuals who survived the Civil War and hear their stories. You can not help but become a sympathetic traveler, not just a tourist.
Volums have been written about the turmoil in Guatemala and elsewhere in Central America, but if your time is limited, here is a helpful shortcut.
nice and to the point August 8, 2005
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
i'm adopting a child from guatemala soon and wanted to get a good, general overview of the country. it's an easy read and i learned enough to be dangerous....
great overview of Guatemala's history and culture February 1, 2000
This title offers an easily readable introduction to Guatemala. It is great for the first-time traveler to Guatemala who wants to understand the modern country in the context of its history and culture. It explains the current status of Guatemala and its uneasy balance between the remaining Mayan culture and the ladinos. The book is a quick and enjoyable read--truly a great orientation. It also points out how the intrusion of the U.S. CIA interrupted Guatemala's transition toward agrarian reform--an eye opener for me, anyway. Read and learn!
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