History of Puerto Rico: A Panorama of Its People
History of Puerto Rico: A Panorama of Its People
One of Puerto Rico’s leading historians, Fernando Pico has had tremendous influence over our currect understanding of Puerto Rican society. Here, he examines the ways in which developments in the courts and commercial centers of the Americas, Europe, and Africa have affected the common people, who have tried since the nineteenth century to take control of their political, social and economic lives. Pico expands his book, “Historia General,” for this first updated American edition to include move
Rating: 
(out of 3 reviews)
List Price: $ 89.95
Price: $ 70.00
Puerto Rico: Grand Cuisine of the Caribbean
Throughout five centuries, Puerto Rico has developed an internationally renowned cuisine, which incorporates Caribbean ingredients and a long tradition of culinary culture. In this book, the profiles and recipes of nine great chefs demonstrate human and professional aspects of their careers, and how by their efforts-and that of many of their colleagues-Puerto Rico has turned into the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean.
Rating: 
(out of 5 reviews)
List Price: $ 60.00
Price: $ 36.45
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Review by Reviewer for History of Puerto Rico: A Panorama of Its People
Rating:
Essentially, this is an updated and expanded version of the second edition of the brilliant work published in Spanish in 1986. As with his other publications, Pico demonstrates why he ranks among the most magisterial historians of Puerto Rico. The 16 chapters are arrestingly readable and cover the complex history of Puerto Rico with commendable verbal economy. Pico impressively contextualizes the story by consistently placing Puerto Rico in the wider Caribbean, Atlantic, and Hispanic worlds, and does an excellent job with the main outlines of the local history. The book starts with the geological formation of the island; continues chronologically with a description of the first settlers, their conquest and virtual annihilation; and details the Spanish society and economy constructed after 1493. Like all excellent histories of the Caribbean, this one is inordinately rich on the social aspects of community formation and the inevitable cross-imperial relations that invariably frustrated local administrators.
Review by David Landt for History of Puerto Rico: A Panorama of Its People
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Having read a lot of general history from Europe to South America to the Middle East, you come to really appreciate someone who can write like a person. Professor Pico, without taking anything from the historical record, manages to write from a perspective of “our” history, and frequently uses that possessive along with the word “we”, giving a very involved and intimate feel to the chronology.
Writign history is by nature to at teimes write about some of the dullest, but necessary data in the world. Only a seasoned and talented writer like Professor Pico can actually make the transition from one main crop to another interesting. Never before have I encountered a historian so talented as a writer that he can actually use imagery like a farmer lying in his hammock smoking part of his new crop of tobacco.
Some of the best written parts of this book are; the attempted English invasions, described in crisp detail; the radical movements of the 1960s (although he somehow never mentions the FALN by name);, and the reforms of the semi-enlightened Spanish despot, Pezuela.
I do wish there had been more maps in the book, but this is the only downfall. It can be frustrating to read about places and not be able to know where they are.
Review by William Krause for History of Puerto Rico: A Panorama of Its People
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I had read Fernando Pico’s “Puerto Rico, Inside and Out” and so thoroughly enjoyed his unique(although he could easily be compared to Garcia Marques)style of capturing the humanity of his many characters that I looked forward to reading his take on Puerto Rican history, and I was not disappointed. He touches on all the key points of Puerto Rican trials – and tribulations – since the Spanish incursion in 1493 to the American invasion in 1898 and subsequent involvement, and does it in a remarkably rational and most readable way, and the reader comes away better informed and amazingly entertained by the humorous and human manner of his discourse. This is a wonderful read.
Review by Bruce Baker for Puerto Rico: Grand Cuisine of the Caribbean
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This is a beautiful book, with lots of nice pictures and plenty of narrative about Puerto Rico. The recipes are from San Juan’s star chefs and showcase their fusion cuisine. This is not a book of recipes of typical Puerto Rican cuisine–in fact, the number of recipes is pretty low.
Review by Maria Sanabria-Kenny for Puerto Rico: Grand Cuisine of the Caribbean
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I love this book. It is about time that people open their eyes and palates to such a tasty cuisine especially that the United States has been involved with the gorgeous island of Puerto Rico since 1898. It is like no other Latin cuisine.
Review by Mario V. Lao for Puerto Rico: Grand Cuisine of the Caribbean
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This is a book with fantastic food photos. Full of interesting stories about the chefs and a bit of history of Puerto Rico..I have tasted many of the recipes, now will get to try to make them myself. This book will make wonderful xmas presents for many of my friends who have visited me in PR over the years and have eaten at some of the restaurents where these chefs presented their cuisine. Mardie Geiser de Lao
Review by asean boricua for Puerto Rico: Grand Cuisine of the Caribbean
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As an avid reader of Puerto Rican cookbooks, I am always on the look out for an interesting new title. This cookbook, is beautifully photographed and has wonderful stories about the chefs. The recipes are really interesting and have ingredients that I would not normally have seen in my mom’s kitchen, look at the pasteles recipe and you will see what I mean. Can’t wait to show off our new recipes at a dinner party.
Review by Lydia Mel for Puerto Rico: Grand Cuisine of the Caribbean
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This is not a cookbook. It’s a non-instructional book about food and too many pictures.