Book Description
Hank Thompson is living off the map in Mexico with a bagful of cash that the Russian mafia wants back and many, many secrets. So when a Russian backpacker shows up in town asking questions, Hank tries to play it cool. But he knows the jig is up when the backpacker mentions the money . . . and the family Hank left behind. Suddenly Hank’s in a desperate race to get to his parents in California before anyone can harm them. Along the way he’ll face Federales and Border Patrol, mafiosi and vigilantes, extortionists and drug dealers, and a couple of psychotic surf bums with an ax to grind. From the golden beaches of the Yucatán to the seedy strip clubs of Vegas, Charlie Huston opens a door to the squalid underworld of crime and corruption–and invites the reader to live it in the extreme.
Download Description
Part one
December 4–11, 2003
Four Regular Season Games Remaining
I’m sitting on the porch of a bungalow on the Yucatán Peninsula with lit cigarettes sticking out of both my ears.
I like to go swimming in the mornings. When I first came to Mexico I liked to go drinking in the mornings, but after I got over that I took up swimming and I discovered something. I have unusually narrow ear canals. Go figure. I discovered this while I was trying to sober up, paddling around in the lukewarm morning waters, and found that my ears were clogged. I tilted my head from side to side and banged on my skull, trying to dislodge the water, but no luck. I plugged my nose, clamped my mouth shut, and blew until it felt like my brain might pop out of my ass. No good. I crammed Q-tips up my ears, prodding at the blockage. That’s when things got really bad. For a few days I walked around half-deaf, feeling like my entire head was packed with waterlogged cotton. Then I went to a doctor. I have a habit of saving doctors for a last resort.
Dr. Sanchez looked in my ears and informed me of the tragic news: unusually narrow ear canals. The water was trapped deep inside and my irresponsible Q-tip use had sealed it in with earwax. He loaded a syringe the size of a beer can with warm mineral water and injected it into my ears until the pressure dislodged the massive clogs of wax and washed them into the small plastic basins I held just below my ears. He gave me drops. He told me never to stick anything in my ear other than my elbow, and laughed at his own joke. He nodded sagely and told me the solution to my problem was quite simple: When my ears became clogged, I must stick a cigarette into each one and light them. The cigarettes, that is. Then he handed me a pack of Benson & Hedges, told me they were his preferred brand for the task, and charged me a thousand pesos.
So. I am sitting on the porch of a bungalow on the Yucatán Peninsula with lit cigarettes sticking out of both my ears. The cigarettes burn and create a vacuum in my ears, sucking the moisture into the filters. I have a towel draped over each shoulder to catch the hot ash as it falls. I’ve been doing this a couple days a week for years and it always works. Of course, I do now smoke two packs of Benson & Hedges a day, but there’s a downside to everything in life.
The sun has dipped far in the sky behind my back and the reds of the sunset are reflected in the perfect blue sea before me. A soft breeze is caressing my skin and I adjust my sarong so that it can waft higher on my legs. The heat of the cigarettes has become intense. I reach up and pinch them out of my ears, careful not to squeeze so hard that the waxy fluid trapped in the filters leaks out. I dump them into an ashtray near my feet, slip the towels off my shoulders, stand up, and start walking toward the water. The beach is pretty much abandoned. A ways off to my right I can see a small group of local boys covered head to toe in sand, kicking a soccer ball around on their homemade field. In the opposite direction, the silhouette of a pair of lovers kissing. When my feet hit the wet strip of sand near the water’s edge I give my sarong a tug. It falls to the ground, leaving me naked, and I walk down into the gently lapping waves. The beach slopes away so shallowly that I can walk upright in the water for almost fifty yards before it will cover my head. I walk in the water with the sun sinking behind me, hearing the soft slap of the tiny waves quite clearly in my unclogged ears. I’ll probably have to do it all over again when I get out, twisting the cigarettes into my ears, lighting them, and waiting patiently while they burn down, but it will be worth it. I want to take one last swim today. I’m going home tomorrow and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to come back here.
Machine guns wake me up in the morning,
Customer Reviews:
Superb continuation of the Hank Thompson series.......2007-09-27
When last we saw Hank In Caught Stealing: A Novel, he was on the run from the Russian gangsters chasing him in a desperate search for $4+ million. Hank ends up in Mexico, and that's where we start this book.
One thing I can definitely say about the entire Hank Thompson trilogy(which ends with A Dangerous Man: A Novel) is that is incredibly violent at the same time that it is humorous. The action here is much as it is in the first book. Hank began the trilogy as a guy who pretty much had a crappy life but who hadn't really actively set out to cause damage to anyone else (although he was involved in an accident where his best friend was killed pretty horrifically); he became a killer extraordinaire. Of course, he became that kind of man because of the loss of people he loved in the course of the first novel, but regardless--he's a killer.
In this novel, the killing continues. Boy, does it continue. Hank's whole life is defined by violence. Violence he does to others. Violence done to him. No one escapes unscathed. It's a miracle that Hank's still standing at the end of this one; by rights, he should be long dead. He's got enough people hunting him down to be on VERY borrowed time.
Strengths of this installment in the trilogy:
1) Hank himself. He's deluded, removed, always one step away from exploding in a frenzy of violence and grief. He loves people (his mom and dad, his partner in a Mexican enterprise) and his cat; he trusts few people and when he feels he's been betrayed, he does explode in lethal ways. It's amazing to me that I can actually like him at the same time that he disgusts me with his violence, with his approach to things.
2) Other characters are equally strong (his friends, his pursuers).
3) The dialogue is witty and very real. Huston has a way of meting out the words that his characters use. Some of those characters speak in fragments, clearly showing the reader the level of frustration/confusion/doubt the character is experiencing. Huston just has a gift for this. Once I got used to the way he crafted his dialogues, I really enjoyed it. It's not for everyone though; I imagine some readers will struggle the first time they get to a dialogue separated only with dashes and not with any immediately-clear indication of who's speaking.
4) The incredibly quick and almost startling action and violence.
For me, there aren't any real weaknesses that don't have to do with the protagonist himself. Hank is flawed, a bit nuts, homicidal (what made him this way isn't much of an excuse, in the end), funny, exasperating, and clearly in need of a few decades worth of therapy.
Read this series; I think you'll really enjoy it.
Hard Core Noir.......2007-09-05
The quotes splashed all over the outside of this novel were dead on. What was missing was any mention of it being the second in a series, so be warned and read "Caught Stealing" first. I wish I had.
Hank Thompson has the worst luck ever. His involvement in a bloodbath in New York has him hiding out in the Yucatan with the $4 ½ million he stole from the Russian mob. Life is good, except for the nightmares and the fact that the Miami Dolphins suck. He spends his days chatting with his new partner Pedro at their bar on the beach, otherwise whiling away the time in his bungalow, smoking cigarettes, and swimming in the Caribbean Sea at night. Then one day, a backpacker with a Russian accent shows up and hangs around, eventually mentioning the stolen millions and threatening Hank's parents. Hank's idyll on the beach is over, and it's time to go back to the States and save his parents, who have already been through enough because of him.
Of course, absolutely nothing goes right and a few new enemies come popping out of the woodwork. Not only is Hank famous with a cult following, everyone who recognizes him wants a chunk of the money. Hank is hanging around some very bad people, and he himself is no choirboy, not afraid to kill the people who get in his way, though it's not always so easily done. Readers who dislike violence should stay away, as the last portion of the book gets pretty bloody. There isn't a lot of joy to be found between its pages, either, but nobody reads noir for the happy endings.
Despite the things he's done, Hank is a likeable guy who tries to protect the innocent. It just so happens his associates, friend and foe, are a volatile lot so anyone who gets too close to Hank gets pulled right into the fray. There is some subtle humor woven in among the violence. Hank's football rants are hilarious, and I don't even like football. The story that unfolds twists and turns, and kept me gripped in its bloody fist. I had to read this powerful book slowly so as not to let it devour me in its blackness. For some real gritty, dark noir, Charlie Huston is a sure bet.
Excellent Read!.......2007-06-29
Picks up where "Caught Stealing" left off. Charlie is still trying to get out of the trouble caused by the load of cash he "happened in to." I could definitely see this made into a movie...it's that captivating. The story never leaves you bored, disinterested, or hurrying up to finish. I savored the book, beginning to end. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because of the way it ends. The ending left me with a feeling of dread and hoping I'm wrong about the third and last installment about Charlie's life.
The Game Continues.......2007-05-24
This second novel in the saga of Hank Thompson is the best of the three. Of course, the entire book is about how some bad guys relentlessly pursue Thompson for his accidentally gotten millions, when all he wants to do is protect his parents. The author is incredibly adept at springing surprise after surprise and at developing his characters -- and what characters they are! Huston is one of the most clever and appealing popular authors out there today. Looking forward to his future books with great anticipation.
A good follow-up to Caught Stealing.......2007-04-11
A few weeks ago I read Charlie Huston's book Caught Stealing. It's a Hitchcockian romp through New York City, a cheerful little tale with a jumbo body count and loads of gory details, right down to a guy who tortures a house cat. At the end of that novel (plot spoiler ahead) the main character narrator, Hank Thompson, flees to Mexico with $4.5 million of the Russian mob's money. In Six Bad Things, Hank's living on a beach in Mexico, silent partner in a bar, whiling away the days swimming in the ocean, getting tattoos, and trying to forget everyone he killed in New York City. When a Russian tourist shows up, Hank finds out you can't run or hide forever, and the fun begins.
This is one of those roller-coaster novels that starts and never really stops. Dead people, shoot-outs, fights, killer dogs, drugged-out hookers, and locales from Mexico to upstate California to Las Vegas, all figure in the story line. If there's a flaw, it's that it's the second book in what apparently is a trilogy. You really should read Caught Stealing before you read this one. I would be in favor of them re-releasing this series in a single volume. The author's style, pacing, and narrative would probably work well in this format.
All of that being said, if you've read Caught Stealing, you want this book too. If you haven't read Caught Stealing yet, go and get it, and then afterwards read this. It's definitely worth it.
Book Description
Frommer's. The best trips start here.
Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer.
- With insider tips on the best package deals and beach resorts, plus a comprehensive look at the Yucatan's Maya ruins.
- Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not.
- Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget.
- Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.
- Listen to a free companion podcast about Cancun and the Yucatan at Frommers.com
Find great deals and book your trip at Frommers.com
Customer Reviews:
boring.......2007-10-03
I've traveled to about 8 different foreign countries, and always used Lonely Planet. I thought I'd give this a try. It was dull and boring. I'm sticking with Lonely Planet.
Guide book is very useful.......2007-08-04
I have used Frommer's guides in the past and found them reliable. I knew nothing about what to expect in Cancun. The guide had useful general advice about travel in Mexico and currency issues, and it was very informative about cultural attractions. It was a bit light on the coverage of hotels.
Good Information.......2007-06-12
This guide was pretty good. I got it for the Cozumel information. Over half of the guide was for other areas of the Yukatan. The title clearly indicates that, but it would have been nice to see a Cozumel specific guide from Frommers that includes more of the resort/hotels in cozumel.
Another great Travel Book.......2007-05-11
If you know any of Frommer's work, you know what to expect from this book as well. These travel guides are always thorough and as up-to-date as possible with a published book. Don't hesitate to pick this one if you are planning to travel to these areas of Mexico.
Too Old.......2007-04-18
If you are looking for info on hotels and restaraunts - keep looking. This was the least useful of the three books I bought. It is way too out of date. It is useful for things that dont change like day trips and general travel info, but much of that was too generic.
Book Description
Marvel at ancient Mayan architecture, discover the beauty of Cozumel's reefs, luxuriate at a seaside spa resort, visit breathtaking monuments at Chichén Itzá, or revel in Cancún's vibrant nightlife–Fodor's Cancún, Cozumel, Yucatán Peninsula 2007 offers all these experiences and more! Our local writers have traveled throughout the country to find the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and activities to prepare you for a journey of stunning variety. Before you leave for your trip be sure to pack your Fodor's guide to ensure you don't miss a thing.
The San Francisco Chronicle sums it up best – "Fodor's guides are saturated with information."
- We frequently update our Cancún, Cozumel, Yucatán Peninsula guide, and we make every effort to bring you the most accurate and thorough book. Plus we provide timely updates about the area at Fodors.com.
- Unlike other travel books, Fodor's guides rely heavily on local experts who know the territory best–so you know you're seeing the destination like a local.
- We give you the planning tools you need to tailor your trip. We give options for all budgets. You make the choices.
Customer Reviews:
Information not up to date.......2007-03-06
As the previous reviewer said, the book is written as if the devastating hurricane of 2005 never happened, even though it is copyright 2007. We bought it for our trip to Cancun but you cannot use it reliably for hotels, beaches, restaurants, scuba/snorkeling since many of these areas were destroyed.
It is still useful for excursions as these were not as hard hit. By the way, we also had Frommer's Portable Cancun copyright 2006 and it, too, was not updated.
Still helpful, but not a gold standard. Call ahead and look for online blogs/reviews that are more updated.
And quite frankly, shame on Fodor's for publishing something in 2007 that doesn't account for the altering events of 2005.
Maddeningly Out of Date Post Hurricane Wilma - Frommer's Was Much Better Informed!.......2007-03-02
It took a lot of chutzpah to publish this guide without even a cursory fact-checking on the state of Cancun post Hurricane Wilma. Some of the restaurants outlined in the book haven't been open since the hurricane and WON'T be reopening, which any hotel concierge could have told the editors. Furthermore, with beach, diving and snorkeling as key activities of this destination, not including well-researched updates on the main ones post Wilma was irresponsible. Frommer's had much more up-to-date information. (FYI, there's plenty to do in Cancun, and quite a healthy recovery post hurricane - Fodor's just doesn't know what).
Book Description
The Yucatn Peninsula is today divided among Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. Travelers to this region discover both astonishing archaeological sites and a stunning array of wildlife, including crocodiles, turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs, toads, and salamanders. This book--written by the world's leading authority on the herpetology of the lowland Maya area--is the only comprehensive field guide to all the species of amphibians and reptiles found there.
This field guide allows identification of all native and introduced species of amphibians and reptiles of the region.
features nearly 180 color photographs and 180 drawings.
offers valuable techniques for field identification, and a glossary of herpetological terms.
provides in each species account: description, natural history, similar species, and geographic distribution (complete with maps of each animal's range).
includes suggested readings for those who want to know more about a particular species.
illustrates all tadpoles.
describes the most characteristic vocalizations of the reptiles and amphibians in the volume.
introduces the physical geography, climate, and vegetation of the region, with emphasis on the habitats of amphibians and reptiles.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent field guide.......2001-08-28
This book is perfect for anyone interested in herps in the Maya Forest. Complementary to Campbell's field guide, but also includes great line drawings, range maps, and characteristics to distinguish from similar species. Also, better photos than in Campbell's guide. If I were to buy one field guide for the area, I'd choose this over Campbell's.
An exceptionally well laid out field guide.......2001-02-09
A Field Guide To The Amphibians And Reptiles Of The Maya World is a comprehensive survey of the crocodiles, turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs, toads, and salamanders found in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. This exceptionally well laid out field guide allows the easy identification of all native and introduced species of amphibians and reptiles of the region; is enhanced with 180 color photographs and 180 drawings; provides valuable techniques for field identification; includes a glossary of herpetological terms; and for each species gives a full description, natural history, and geographic distribution information (complete with maps). There are suggested readings for those who want to know more about a particular species, even descriptions of the most characteristic vocalizations of the reptiles and amphibians surveyed. A Field Guide To The Amphibians And Reptiles Of The Maya World is a "must" for any personal, professional, or academic library collection of natural history and herpetology reference works.
Amphibians and Reptiles of the Maya world.......2000-08-23
Julian C. Lee's field guide of the amphibians and reptiles of the Maya world is excellent. The color photographs make it easy to identify the animal in question; the maps give the reader the distribution of the form; the text gives a short synopsis of the characters and natural history of the taxon; the photos, line drawings, and the PRICE make it all worth while. Any person visiting the outback of the Yucatan Peninsula needs a copy of this book. All Nature Touring Companies should have it available for their clients. A wonderful addition for any professional herpetologist bookshelf.
Book Description
This is both a specific study of conversion in a corner of the Spanish Empire, and a work with implications for the understanding of European domination and native resistance throughout the colonial world. Dr Clendinnen explores the intensifying conflict between competing and increasingly divergent Spanish visions of Yucatan and its destructive outcomes. She seeks to penetrate the ways of thinking and feeling of the Mayan Indians in a detailed reconstruction of their assessment of the intruders.
Customer Reviews:
Good for Historiography.......2003-04-11
The Spanish Conquest of the Americas has primarily been discussed in militaristic terms. Cortes and his small band of Spaniards, along with several thousand disaffected native allies marched on the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan and in brilliant (some would say fortuitous) military maneuvering subjugated the New World. However, thanks to the efforts of historians like Dr. Inga Clendinnen, of La Trope University in Australia, zones of proximal development are reshaped. The Aztec were not the only ones conquered. Dr. Clendinnen's awarding winning work, Ambivalent Conquests, Maya and Spaniard in Yucatan, 1517-1570, suggests that the Spanish not only went and conquered several New World cultures militarily, but spiritually as well. As the title suggests, the work focuses primarily on the Mayan culture in the Yucatan peninsula in the years following the military conquest. Clendinnen's meticulous research and easy conversational reading successfully argues that the Mayan developed a passive resistant syncretism to the spiritual conquest that was imposed upon them. The New World cultures accepted military defeat, but in an effort to keep some semblance of their former lives (in this case, the Maya) would pay lip service to the Spaniards' religion, but would still practice the hated idolatry in secret. While the conquerors were assimilating the Maya, the Maya were assimilating the conquerors' religion. This in turn necessitated the extension of the inquisition by the Spaniards to the New World in the paradox of Christianity at the time - convert or be killed. Clendinnen shows that the ambivalence was not how the New Worlders would come to know Christianity,rather, how the religious and the Old World settlers in their "competing visions" for what the Yucatan would eventually become. Dr. Inga Clendinnen deftly uses the historical brush to paint a picture of Mayan syncretism. The title is apropos; not only were the Indians of the New World conquered militarily, but spiritually as well.
some thoughts.......2002-10-29
Overall, Inga Clendinnen's book serves as a vivid illustration of history. The images from the text stick to memory, and specific events and people (Diego de Landa, Nachi Cocom, Francisco Hernandez, and Fray Francisco de Toral) from almost five hundred years ago, come alive. The book is divided in two parts: the Spaniards and Indians, where what happened in Yucatan between 1517 and 1570 is examined from two different perspectives. It almost seems like there are two books within a book, as there are two beginnings and two epilogues, yet the connection between the two parts is never lost. The structure of the book is not only interesting, but also appropriate to the message the author seeks to convey: it illustrates the idea of "confusion of tongues", the fact that the perceptions of the Maya and the Spaniard were almost irreconcilably different. The book is also thoroughly researched, employing both primary and secondary sources. I enjoyed Clendinnen's discussions of the books of Chilam Bilam, of Landa's Relacion de Las Cosas de Yucatan, and of the confessions that Landa extracted from the Indians in 1562. I also appreciated the fact that where information is unavailable, and deduction from what is known goes a little far, the author is not afraid to acknowledge it. I should also mention that the author makes an implicit assumption that the reader is Christian, and has a good understanding of Christian faith and practices. When explaining Mayan human sacrifice, for example, Clendinnen writes that "we have somehow to detach ourselves from our Christian-drenched notions of sacrifice..."
In terms of evaluating the persuasiveness of the book, I should say that although in the beginning of the book, she raises the question about to what extent the information that Indians confessed under torture was exaggerated or true at all, toward the end of the book she seems to have accepted the assumption that there was at least some truth in the confessions - that human sacrifice and crucifixions did happen, and were not just a product of Landa's imagination, as she had previously suggested. So she never really proves that human sacrifice and crucifixions did happen, but kind of explores the possibilities of "what if they did" and "what if they didn't." Also, in the epilogue, the author makes a quick conclusion that the events of 1562 were significant because it was only after these events that the Maya finally accepted Christianity, or some Mayan version of it. It does make sense that the events of 1562 and the general intrusion of friars into the Maya spiritual domain would demonstrate to the natives that Spanish presence would not be temporary, that the Spanish were there to stay, and must be taken seriously. But this is in the political realm. As for the spiritual realm, it is unclear why the violence, the sufferings inflicted by the friars, and the destruction of Mayan idols would result in the Maya acceptance that "the time of the old Gods was over", and that Christian deities and the Christian God would now rule. The events of 1562 do not demonstrate the superiority of the Christian faith relative to the Mayan beliefs. Why didn't the violence the friars inflict on the natives make the natives reject Christianity and to revolt against the Spaniards, instead of accepting the Christian faith?
This raises the further question of why some populations abandon their religion and accept the faith of the group that conquers them (after all, this is not the only time this scenario came up - Islam spread with the Muslim conquests, for example), while other populations or groups hold on to their own religions and religious practices for very long periods of time while living in exile (Jews in Christian and Muslim countries for example). What factors does the likelihood of accepting the religion of the dominant group depend on - on n the political coercion and missionary offensive of the conqueror, or perhaps on the ability of conquered peoples to resist this offensive by shielding behind the strength of their own religious beliefs and practices? What influences what form the acceptance of the religion of the dominant group take - absorption of new religion into the old religion, absorption of old religion into the new religion, or perhaps complete abandonment of former religious beliefs and practices in favor of the new ones. How unique is the Maya case? Or perhaps the acceptance of the new faith isn't something that abruptly takes place at conversion, but a lengthy, gradual process that takes generations, whereupon the old faith gradually fades away? If so, do elements from the pre-conquest period still survive in the religion of the Yucatan Maya? All these questions deal with the larger implications of Clendinnen's book: implications for the understanding of the domination of the conqueror (both military and religious) and the resistance of the conquered peoples, not only in Yucatan, but throughout the world. Do true conquests happen, or are all conquests to some extent ambivalent?
A Fascinating Look at the Mayan-Spanish Relationship.......2000-10-24
Despite the difficulties related to a lack of historical sources, Clendinnen produces a convincing argument about the Mayan's resistance to colonial domination. She gives the natives a voice, bringing the Mayans to life, realistically showing their strength and autonomy from the Spanish. Inga Clendinnen's book about the Mayan-Spanish relationship during the Spanish conquest is as enthralling as it is informative.
An excellent study in cultural misunderstanding.......2000-04-01
Clendinnen's book is excellent and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in colonial Latin America. The book focuses on the Yucatan peninsula. Clendinnen looks at the Spanish side of things first, then at how the Maya understood--and resisted--their new rulers. A central figure in the book is the Franciscan Diego de Landa. Landa is portayed as both a man dedicated to God, and as a man with a sadistic streak. He strongly suspected that the Maya were continuing to practice idolotry rather than the Catholicism Landa wanted them to adopt. As a result, Landa brought the Spanish Inquisition to Yucatan. Landa also had a strong will to power; Clendinnen covers his battles, mostly victorious, with other Spanish officials. The second section of the book deals with the Mayan response to things Spanish. She attempts to sort out truth from fiction in the "confessions" wrung out of the Maya by the Spanish Inquisitors. One of the more interesting aspects of this is Clendinnen's discussion of how the Maya appear to have adopted certain elements of Christianity while retaining most of their own beliefs. Anyone interested in religious syncretism or retlations between conquerer and conquered would do well to pick up this book.
Book Description
Take the work out of planning any trip with DK's Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides. Branded with DK's trusted and familiar "Eyewitness" style, these compact guides make finding the best every destination has to offer easier than ever before! Perfect for both business travel and vacations, whether you're looking for the finest cuisine or the least expensive places to eat, the most luxurious hotels or the best deals on places to stay, the best family destination or the hottest nightspot, Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides provide current, useful information based on the insight of local experts to find the best of everything at each destination.
Customer Reviews:
A good start.......2006-10-10
Looking to find a book on "highlights" of the Yucatan? Then this is the book. When researching the next place to travel, I look for books with photos and highlights so I can see what lies ahead. This is a good book for just that ... and that only! It gave me "ideas" to further research but that is about all it is good for... a starting point.
Reasonable reference but lacking in depth!.......2004-01-07
This is quite a convenient guide fits perfectly in a pocket and easy to carry around. The book highlights the Yucatan region by listing the top 10 sights of all touristic cities in Yucatan. Besides it also lists the top 10 hotels, diving/snorkeling places, restauraunt etc. at the end. What it offers in convenience; but it lacks in depth. There is not much detail on any city; if prior reservations are not made or traveling on budget; it is best to stay away from this book.
Book Description
$39.95 hardcover 1-58685-033-4 8 x 11 in, 192 pp, 235 Color Photographs, Rights: W, Design The Yucatan has undergone a remarkable restoration renaissance of late: ancient pyramids now share the dense jungle landscape with revived haciendas, and colonial homes boasting high-beamed ceilings and cool tile floors posture amidst elegant plazas and renovated nineteenth-century mansions. A dazzling photographic journey, Casa Yucatan focuses on architectural elements, water spaces, and open-air living in houses both colonial and contemporary, including haciendas and coastal retreats. Award-winning authors of the Mexican design series-Mexican Country Style, The New Hacienda, Casa Adobe, and Adobe Details-Karen Witynski and Joe P. Carr are the owners of Texture, an interior design firm and gallery specializing in hacienda style. They have been at the forefront of the Mexican design movement for more than twenty-five years. They divide their time between homes in Austin, Texas, and the Yucatan.
Customer Reviews:
Magnificent Architectural Summary of Beauty and Charm.......2005-07-11
I love architecture and interior design and am currently in the process of designing a home thirty miles south of Cancun. In working with an architect from France and the relevant language issues (French, Spanish and English) I needed a starting point to state my ideas of what I wanted to design. I have many other books such as Casa California but needed something with specific architecture in the Yucatan Peninsula.
After our original drawings I bought this book. My architect laughed at our next visit as he had the same book with much more wear on it. His other clients had been using it to describe thoughts and just referring to page numbers. In my case our ideas were established prior to discovering this book. But the book allowed me to visualize many of the ideas incorporated by our architect. The pictures are beautiful and the author does a great job providing a historical perspective on the styles. My architect said it is worth planning a trip to view many of the homes in the book and I hope to do so in the future. My compliments to the author for successfully capturing the culture of this unique area of Mexico.
In the next year I hope to buy authentic Mexican furniture. I have heard in Guadalajara there are places to buy this furniture prior to massive mark-ups through distribution. Please email me if you know of any ideas on where I should consider shopping and also if there are internet sites to view, [...].
Casa Yucatan - To see the best homes and haciendas.......2003-03-14
We wish we had known about and read Casa Yucatán, before we had our wonderful three-week vacation in the Yucatán, in August/September, 2002. If you're planning to go to the Yucatán, be sure to take Casa Yucatán with you. We discovered (and stayed at)three of the marvellous hacienda hotels: the Temozón, Santa Rosa and San José. Each one has unique architecture, adapted from its original use with panache and refined good taste. When we saw them in the book, it was like re-visiting them. Our appetite was whetted to try to see more of the beautifully-photographed and knowledgeably-described homes on our next visit. At the back of the book, there's a 4-page Travel Guide, filled with useful information. Mexican design is beautiful and probably no non-Mexicans know more about it than Karen and Joe, having dedicated decades to studying it seriously and having visited and photographed many outstanding examples for inclusion in their books. One place we'll be sure not to miss is Hacienda Petac, the restoration of which was just completed in December 2002. Karen and Joe are partners in that enterprise, the design center of which offers a showcase for Mexican antiques, architectural elements and decorative accents. Hacienda Petac also offers accomodations to guests. We would hope that some of the architects whose projects are featured in Casa Yucatán and whose names addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses are shown, might be willing to arrange with the owners for interested readers to visit their beautiful homes.
Casa Yucatan.......2003-01-14
This is another marvelous book on Mexican & Spanish Architecture, furnishings, & landscaping. The colors & textures used are exceptional. The lush landscaping is something we are trying to recreate in our our home.
This book & their others have inspired us to do some very creative things with our desert property.
Witynski and Carr have done it again!.......2003-01-13
Casa Yucatan is yet another example of the brilliance of this creative duo who inspire and educate. Makes one want to leave manaña por la manaña for the beautiful Yucatan Peninsula. I have all five books they have written and am anxiously awaiting the relase of their sixth entitled "Mexican Details".
Book Description
he Rough Guide to the Yucatán is the ultimate handbook to Mexico's vibrant peninsula. The guide opens with a full-colour section introducing the region''s highlights, from the Mayan ruins at Uxmal to Cancún's spectacular beaches, plus information on the archaeological sites of Chiapas and Tabasco. There are hundreds of up-to-date reviews of all the best hotels, restaurants, markets and music venues, and plenty of practical tips for the more adventurous visitor, from diving in Cozumel to boating through the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. The guide also takes an in-depth look at the Yucatán's tumultuous history, pre-Colombian cultures, unique environment and diverse wildlife.
Customer Reviews:
Great help!.......2007-07-21
We just returned from a great trip to the Yucatan, and this guide is worth more than you can imagine. Despite being a little concerned at a couple of the suggested restaurants(they don't speak English, and they are obviously for a local audience), we never got sick, the food was delicious, and a great bargain. We are planning on purchasing Rough Guides for all of our trips, to make the most of the maps, trip, and restaurant suggestions. However, this guide was published in 2005, and the prices are a little higher now, and one restaurant was not there. Not too bad since Playa del Carmen is rapidly changing. Buy this guide, have a great trip, and travel smart!
Excellent for the independent ttraveller.......2006-05-12
This book was excellent for our needs. We rented a car and drove around the Yucatan, not the Cancun strip but other less travelled areas. One good thing is that the book was recently updated, the area has changed so fast that you need a current guidebook to keep up with the rapid development. The maps were good inside the book and also the history and description was readable not boring like in some of the books. One oddity though was that the author ignored Akumal, where we spent six pleasant days at a modestly priced resort that wasn't even mentioned in the book. Don't know why the entire town was basically ignored when it is a signficant destination and other guidebooks cover it. However overall the book was quite useful to me. I also bought the Rough Guide road map which was also very helpful because the signage is often poor.
Don' tleav home with out it!.......2006-05-03
I agree with the previous reviewer. This book covers all the bases, plus has plenty of sidelights to out of the way places to keep your trip interesting. It was evident that the author has done her homework! She will lead you to some great places to eat! I also recomemend you Check out the thriller "A Tourist in the Yucatan" a great beach read set in the Yucatan!
Highly recommended-- a big help........2006-04-22
I don't usually bother to do this, but I just wanted to post here that this guidebook is great: full of interesting ideas, and very trustworthy. All the basics are covered, but it also includes funny and reliable tips on cool places the average tourist might not go to, like Punta Allen and Felipe Carrillo Puerto. I really liked the fact that when the book covers the crucial tourist areas, it also includes a range options for making your experience even more enjoyable and varied, like mentioning spots that the locals actually go to. You can tell that whoever wrote this book did a lot of exploring to find interesting places.
It's a Rough Guide, so the maps are pretty good and there's all the nitty-gritty travel info I would want. I thought the info on renting a car was helpful, as it included tips on local driving rules that actually took the fear and mystery out of driving there for me.
By the way: you can find *delicious* food when you use this book. Sometimes it seems like guidebooks just reproduce whatever random restaurants are included in other books, but that's not the case here. The restaurants were always really good, and there was a range of price choices. Even the street-vendor suggestions are worth checking out.
Book Description
Most nature travellers to Southern Mexico-Cancœn and the Yucat‡n Peninsula, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco-want to experience tropical forests and other stunning habitats and catch glimpses of exotic wildlife: toucans and parrots, hummingbirds and hawks, monkeys and anteaters, frogs and toads, crocodiles and snakes. This book provides all the information you need to find, identify, and learn about the region's magnificent animal life.
- Identifying, location, ecological, and conservation information on the most frequently spotted animals.
- Color illustrations of about 550 of the most common fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals-the species you are most likely to see.
- Information on habitats of Southern Mexico and on the most common plants you will encounter.
- Information on the underwater animals most divers and snorkelers actually see.
- Brief descriptions of the region's most frequently visited parks and reserves.
Easy-to-carry, entertainingly written, beautifully illustrated-you will want to have this book as constant companion on your journey.
Customer Reviews:
A reference book rather than a portable guide.......2007-03-27
I have a couple of excellent portable regional field guides, such as the Audubon guide to the Southwest. While this book contains some good information it loses marks for lack of portability.
The book includes common amphibians & reptiles, birds, mammals and the coral reef. It has sections on the different habitats in the region and describes places to visit.
While I find this is useful to prepare for my trip I will not be using it as a field guide because it is bulkier than I had expected. It seems to have been designed more as an armchair reference: the paper is exceptionally heavyweight and there are essays on a range of ecological issues such as the exotic pet trade.
The art work for the birds is very beautiful and printed quite large. But other than very short descriptions on the bird's physical features, habitat and range, most of the information is on family profiles that give a general ecological overview rather than providing information about specific species.
The section on fishes and other inhabitants of the coral reef seems to be an excellent field guide: each description concisely describes what you will need to notice to identify the species and provides a few facts that will make observing it more interesting. If I decide to carry the book around on my trip it will be for the sake of this section.
Although the book was published in 2007, I think it is probably the same as the book 'Southern Mexico' published several years ago. At one point the text states "as of writing of this book, in 1998...'
Book Description
Completely updated every year (unlike most of the competition), Frommer's Canczn, Cozumel & the Yucatan features gorgeous color photos of the stunning beaches, the colorful underwater world, and the mysterious Maya ruins that await you. This authoritative guide captures all the glitter of Canczn, as well as the more rustic and authentic charms of Cozumel, which boasts world-class diving and snorkeling in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. The authors have lived in and written about Mexico for years, so they're able to provide candid reviews of all the beach resorts, the best local dining, and the latest, hottest nightlife.
Beyond the major resort areas, we'll show you sleepy beachfront towns, sea turtle preserves, and fascinating inland towns where you can bargain in local markets. You'll travel Mexico like a pro with our candid advice and handy Spanish-language glossary. Also included are accurate regional and town maps (including site plans of the major ruins), up-to-date advice on finding the best package deals, a free color fold-out map, and an online directory that makes trip-planning a snap!
Customer Reviews:
Ivan A.Backerman (CARRABELLE,FL.).......2006-02-23
Concise and excellent travel guide,helpful for my last trip to the Yucatan.Well done!!
Good maps, but lacks important details.......2006-02-21
This guide misses some of the most interesting places to stay and completely skips the best restaurants, I think. Also, I wanted to know how to get to the ferry for Isla Mujeres from Puerto Morelos. There is only transportation information from the tourist area in Cancun or the airport.
so so guide.......2005-09-26
Got a bit of everything... Not the details on common activities that are actually helpful in deciding trip. Overall, a good start, but will have to get something more detailed to supplement.
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