Central America

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Rough Guide Central America

Rough Guide Central America

by Peter Eltringham

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2011
  • PAPER
  • 896 PAGES

A no-nonsense, comprehensive travel guide to Central America with country-by-country descriptions and a solid overview of history, culture and nature. Covers Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama. (CAM95, $26.99)

Central America, A Natural and Cultural History

by Anthony G. Coates

  • HISTORY
  • 1999
  • PAPER
  • 296 PAGES

A concise overview of the region with contributions by diverse authors on the geology, natural history and culture of the Central American isthmus. (CAM69, $22.50)

Maya Art and Architecture

Maya Art and Architecture

by Mary Ellen Miller

  • ART & ARCHITECTURE
  • 1999
  • PAPER
  • 240 PAGES

An illustrated overview of the art and architecture of the Maya, making use of the latest discoveries at Tikal, Copan and Palenque to demonstrate the range of Maya artistic influence. With 200 illustrations, 50 in color, including site plans, maps, strikingly rendered reconstructions and color photographs of key temples and buildings. (MYA20, $19.95)

Tropical Nature

Tropical Nature

by Adrian Forsyth | Ken Miyata

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 1984
  • PAPER
  • 248 PAGES
  • FAVORITE

A lucid portrait of the tropics as seen by two uncommonly observant and thoughtful field biologists. Its 17 marvelous essays introduce the habitats, ecology, plants and animals of the Central and South American rainforest. (GPS13, $16.00)

Central America Map

Central America Map

by ITMB

  • 2008
  • MAP

A detailed map of the Central American isthmus at a scale of 1:1,100,000. (CAM20, $12.95)

 
Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador Adventure Map

Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador Adventure Map


by National Geographic

  • 2011
  • MAP

A durable, folded map shows at 1:710,000, (CAM149, $11.95)

Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish

Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish


by Joseph Keenan

  • LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS
  • 1994
  • PAPER
  • 215 PAGES

Idioms, common mistakes in word usage, and other helpful advice on tackling spoken Spanish. You'll need some foundation to take full advantage of this book -- but even a complete novice will appreciate the author's playful sense of humor. (CAM06, $19.95)

Panama Canal by Cruise Ship

Panama Canal by Cruise Ship


by Anne Vipond

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2011
  • PAPER
  • 336 PAGES

This outstanding guide to the Panama Canal, and popular ports of call in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America features a mile-by-mile guide to the transit, a history of the building of the canal and a detailed pullout map. (PNM13, $21.95)

A Brief History of Central America

A Brief History of Central America


by Hector Perez-Brignoll

  • HISTORY
  • 1989
  • PAPER
  • 223 PAGES

A good overview of the region's economic, political and social history through the 1980s by a professor at the University of Costa Rica. Well-written, informative and concise. (CAM49, $25.95)

A Forest of Kings, The Untold Story of the Ancient Maya

A Forest of Kings, The Untold Story of the Ancient Maya


by Linda Schele | David Freidel

  • HISTORY
  • 1992
  • PAPER
  • 542 PAGES

The history of the Maya, as it was recorded in the previously undecipherable hieroglyphs of the Maya. This excellent account traces the kingships and politics of the Maya, and features narratives recreating scenes of burials, blood sacrifices, battles and other events. (MYA22, $24.99)

Banana, The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World

Banana, The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World


by Dan Koeppel

  • HISTORY
  • 2008
  • PAPER
  • 304 PAGES

Koeppel traces the history, natural and otherwise, politics and precarious current status of modern monoculture, touching down in India (world center of banana diversity), Ecuador (world's largest producer) and Central America. (CAM137, $16.00)

Central America, A Nation Divided


by Ralph Lee Woodward

  • HISTORY
  • 1999
  • PAPER
  • 448 PAGES

A balanced standard history of the region -- popular as a university textbook and thoroughly revised to reflect the momentous events in the region since 1976. With an extensive guide to further reading. (CAM80, $39.95)

Coffee and Power, Revolution and the Rise of Democracy in Central America

Coffee and Power, Revolution and the Rise of Democracy in Central America


by Jeffery M. Paige

  • HISTORY
  • 1998
  • PAPER
  • 448 PAGES

Panoramic in scope, this scholarly history examines the emerging democracies of Central America and especially the political impact on powerful families who control coffee production. (CAM50, $30.00)

Forgotten Continent

Forgotten Continent


by Michael Reid

  • HISTORY
  • 2009
  • PAPER
  • 400 PAGES

Economist editor Reid draws on his years in the cities, presidential palaces and shantytowns of Central and South America in this portrait of a region rich in oil, farmland and culture, and its prospects in the face of globalization. (SAM123, $22.00)

The Maya Tropical Forest: Peoples, Parks and Ancient Cities

The Maya Tropical Forest: Peoples, Parks and Ancient Cities


by James D. Nations

  • HISTORY
  • 2006
  • PAPER
  • 323 PAGES

Jim Nations draws on field work in the region over the last 25 years in this personable, detailed overview of the people, history and wildlife of the lowland tropical forest of southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. (MYA49, $22.95)

The Path Between the Seas, The Creation of the Panama Canal: 1870-1914

The Path Between the Seas, The Creation of the Panama Canal: 1870-1914


by David McCullough

  • HISTORY
  • 2004
  • PAPER
  • 700 PAGES
  • FAVORITE

Admirably told in vivid, page-turning detail. McCullough reveals the full scope of the Panama Canal, its characters, technical difficulties and Byzantine politics. (CAM32, $20.00)

The Penguin History of Latin America

The Penguin History of Latin America


by Edwin Williamson

  • HISTORY
  • 2010
  • PAPER
  • 704 PAGES

A political and cultural history, covering 500 years from Spanish conquest through the 1980s. (SAM53, $20.00)

An Album of Maya Architecture

An Album of Maya Architecture


by Tatiana Proskouriakoff

  • ARCHAEOLOGY
  • 2003
  • PAPER
  • 164 PAGES

Scholar, artist and architect Proskouriakoff presents breathtaking artistic reconstructions of what Maya cities may have looked like in their heyday in this classic work, first published in 1946. (MYA06, $19.95)

An Archaeological Guide to Northern Central America

An Archaeological Guide to Northern Central America


by Joyce Kelly

  • ARCHAEOLOGY
  • 1996
  • PAPER
  • 352 PAGES

The clear descriptions, site plans, maps and photographs of 38 archeological sites and 25 museums throughout Central America make this book an ideal travel companion. (MYA04, $19.95)

The Maya

The Maya


by Michael Coe

  • ARCHAEOLOGY
  • 2011
  • PAPER
  • 280 PAGES

The eighth edition of Coe's clear, concise and authoritative, illustrated survey of the Maya. (MYA10, $26.95)

Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan: Volume One

Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan: Volume One


by John Lloyd Stephens

  • EXPLORATION
  • 1969
  • PAPER
  • 396 PAGES

The first volume of Stephens' 1841 account, an instant bestseller and still an excellent introduction to the people, culture and archaeology of Central America. It follows Stephens through Belize and Guatemala, with several chapters on Copan. With 127 engravings by Frederick Catherwood. We also carry Volume Two. ($14.95, Item MYA05) (MYA33, $16.95)

Time Among the Maya, Travels in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico

Time Among the Maya, Travels in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico


by Ronald Wright

  • TRAVEL NARRATIVE
  • 2000
  • PAPER
  • 464 PAGES

Wright combines journalism, archaeology and an ear for dialogue in this engaging account of travels among the contemporary Maya. (CAM84, $16.00)

Popol Vuh, The Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life

Popol Vuh, The Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life


by Dennis Tedlock

  • LITERATURE
  • 1996
  • PAPER
  • 388 PAGES

The definitive, unabridged collection of creation myths and stories of the Quiche people, fundamental to understanding the worldview of the highland Maya. (MYA14, $16.99)

A Neotropical Companion

A Neotropical Companion


by John Kricher | Mark Plotkin

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 1999
  • PAPER
  • 536 PAGES

From plants and animals to birds and bugs, it's all here in this wonderfully written overview of the ecology, habitats, plants and animals of Central and South America. (GPS11, $35.00)

Four Neotropical Rainforests

Four Neotropical Rainforests


by Alwyn Gentry

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 1993
  • PAPER
  • 627 PAGES

A good reference to the flora, fauna and ecology of four representative tropical forests: Manaus (Brazil), Park Manu (Peru), Barro Colorado Island (Panama) and La Selva (Costa Rica). (AMZ33, $60.00)

Spirits of the Jaguar

Spirits of the Jaguar


by BBC

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2006
  • DVD

A four-part BBC television series, this documentary presents the land, wildlife and cultures of Central America in living color. (CAM59, $19.98)

The Monkey's Bridge, Mysteries of Evolution in Central America

The Monkey's Bridge, Mysteries of Evolution in Central America


by David Rains Wallace

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2007
  • PAPER
  • 280 PAGES

Opening this absorbing account of the history and biogeography of the Central American isthmus with the tale of Columbus, Wallace then weaves his own travels in the region with a crisp overview of exploration, nature and evolution. Natural history buffs and ecologically minded travelers will appreciate this valuable resource. (CAM56, $18.95)

200 Conspicuous, Unusual, or Economically Important Tropical Plants of the Caribbean

200 Conspicuous, Unusual, or Economically Important Tropical Plants of the Caribbean


by John Kingsbury

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 1988
  • PAPER
  • 220 PAGES

A general purpose plant identification guide to Caribbean shores, also useful for subtropical Florida. Features color photographs and short plant descriptions. (CRB01, $20.00)

Birds of Mexico & Central America, Princeton Illustrated Checklists

Birds of Mexico & Central America, Princeton Illustrated Checklists


by Ber Van Perlo

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2006
  • PAPER
  • 336 PAGES

An admirably compact, comprehensive guide featuring color plates. (MEX163, $29.95)

Field Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Adjacent Areas, Belize, Guatemala, and El Salvador

Field Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Adjacent Areas, Belize, Guatemala, and El Salvador


by Ernest Preston Edwards

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 1998
  • PAPER
  • 288 PAGES
  • HARD TO FIND ELSEWHERE

This classic guide illustrates all the regularly occurring birds of Mexico and neighboring areas, including details of distribution, abundance, habitat and identification features for 850 species. (MEX47, $22.95)

Fishwatcher's Field Guide Caribbean

Fishwatcher's Field Guide Caribbean


by Idaz Greenberg

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • PLASTIC CARD

A convenient double-sided plastic card showing 75 reef fish of the Caribbean. (DIV11, $7.50)

Marine Invertebrates of Florida, the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean

Marine Invertebrates of Florida, the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean


by Idaz Greenberg

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • PLASTIC CARD

A convenient double-sided plastic card showing 61 invertebrates of the Caribbean. (DIV12, $7.50)

National Audubon Society Field Guide to Tropical Marine Fishes

National Audubon Society Field Guide to Tropical Marine Fishes


by C. Lavett Smith

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 1997
  • FLEXI-BOUND
  • 720 PAGES

A photographic guide to coral reef fishes found in the Caribbean, Florida, the Bahamas and Bermuda. (FG24, $19.95)

Neotropical Rainforest Mammals, A Field Guide

Neotropical Rainforest Mammals, A Field Guide


by L.H. Emmons

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 1997
  • PAPER
  • 298 PAGES

Compact enough to slip into your daypack, this field guide to the mammals of the New World tropics features 29 color plates of more than 200 species. (GPS12, $42.50)

Snorkeling Guide to Marine Life

Snorkeling Guide to Marine Life


by Paul Humann

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 1995
  • PAPER
  • 80 PAGES

Humann's compact guide illustrates Caribbean fishes, corals, invertebrates and plants commonly encountered in shallower water. (DIV02, $14.95)

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