IF YOU ARE GOING TO BUY A BOOK ON LA HABANA THIS IS IT !!!!!!! IT IS MOST INFORMATIVE AND THE PHOTOS ARE THE BEST. BEING CUBAN I HAVE BOUGHT ALMOST EVERY BOOK WRITTEN ABOUT CUBA AND THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE - THE BEST.

Unlike other reviewers, I have no link with Cuba and I have never been to Havana, but this book made me want to go there. It was given to me as a present. Since then, I have bought two copies for friends. The photographs are as beautiful as the writing. A really special book.

Truly a unique and memorable book. I own many books on Cuba, but this book is exceptional. As Maria Luisa's book provides us with in-depth historical and architectural background accompanied by impressive photography, she also delights us with her memories of sound, sight, smell and far away world of her childhood which comes alive for all readers, but specially those who lived in the beautiful island of Cuba. It is a treasure for our Cuban heritage and a beautiful addition to anyone's library. A friend, relative and admirer from Miami, Florida

This book is great! Very hard to put it down. Lowry has made some really great books, but this one is the best! This is a 10 star book!

this book is a fabulous tool for teaching students about theattempt to perfect society, to take out the human factor fromrelationships. I find the ending, which leaves it up to the reader to decide what happens to Jonas and Gabriel to be an invaluable way to engage students in the critical thinking process. When my students are finished with this book they are drained emotionally. So am I. Ms. Lowry has written a modern classic that is for all ages, not just children.

This book is so mysterious. It brings out a different you. the ending is confusing. you have to ask a librarian or teacher about the ening to know the TRUE ENDING

To read this book is to enter another world. It plunges the reader headfirst into the world before, then after World War 1 through the character of one fabulous woman. A woman ahead of her time, and possibly even our time. The Marchesa Luisa Casati set out to invent herself at a time when most women only sought the protection of marriage.
The writers present this complicated woman without making judgements or trying to force the reader to make judgements. There is little or no psychologizing of the sort that makes many biographies tedious reading. It is a case of "Here is the story of this one woman whose life touched practically every great artist, writer, dancer,and of the time in which she lived. Make of it what you will, but she provided a hell of a ride."
I have just read it and am looking forward to reading it all over again. Some of what I read I MUST read again, just to assure myself it is true. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in the arts of the first half of the twentieth century and to anyone who simply wants a damn good read.

I read a review of this book in a national newspaper in the UK, and it sounded so interesting I bought it. I had never heard of the Marchesa before, but I have no idea why, she is so strange and marvellous that she really ought to be a household name. It's a bit too heroine-worshipping - yes, she is fascinating, but perhaps she wasn't terribly nice to know. But this is still a very absorbing book - I wish there had been more photos of her, but I suppose there is a generous selection already.

I've been a long time fan of the Marchesa Casati and her wild antics and have always hoped there'd someday be a book on her. I couldn't believe it when I finally found "Infinite Variety". This book was worth the wait. It contains so much info on this bizarre "living work of art" that her life is hard to believe, but, as they say "Believe it or not"! I can't beileve that there's been nothing on Casati before. A fantastic book. My only complaint was that the authors didn't reproduce all of the paintings of Casati. But, there are over 50 pictures, each one better than the last. You won't believe some of them! Like I said, a fantastic book. Casati couldn't have asked for more!

La última niebla es un libro que te deja pensar, sacar tus propias ideas sobre la trama. Hay una dualidad de realidad muy bien lograda en la cual la niebla te introduce de una a otra realidad. María Luisa es la interpretación máxima del surrealismo, este libro es realmente excelente. Le recomiendo al que lo lea que lea también La amortajada, otra excelente novela de María Luisa Bombal

La última niebla es una de esas novelas que, a pesar de los años transcurridos desde su publicación, sigue impactando a las personas- que no son pocas- que tienen el placer de leerla. Fascinante obra, donde los sueños y la realidad llegan a confundirse como nunca antes se ha hecho.

maria luisa bombal traspaso las barreras que en esa epoca,e incluso hoy, pone la sociedad chilena a lss mujeres, sobre todo a las de la clase alta tradicional.su obra muestra la fuerza y las pasiones que tiene cada mujer, y la eterna busqueda del amor y del sentido de la vida.

Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince" has long been considered THE primer on power politics. What has usually been lost is the fact it was a persuasive attempt by Machiavelli to have Lorenzo di Medici embody the ideas laid out in "The Prince" and unify Italy. In terms of being a rhetorical effort, Machiavelli's work was certainly a failure. However, what endures is his Aristotelian cataloguing of leaders, states and ways of ruling that goes well beyond the political scene in Italy in the early 16th Century. Luisa Vergani provides excellent synopses of not only Machiavelli's life and works, but the times in which he lived as well. After establishing Machiavelli's political doctrine, Vergani establishes the basic themes of "The Prince." A general synopsis is followed by summaries and commentaries on the 26 chapters (1-2, 12-14 and 22-23 are dealt with in tandem). What makes the commentaries particularly insightful is that since Machiavelli dealt with real people and places, Vergani provides the necessary historical perspective. If the copy of "The Prince" you are teaching/reading in your class does not have comprehensive notes or annotations, you will find this information particularly helpful. These historical illustrations also help students make the connection between the past and the present finding contemporary counterparts for the types of "princes" Machiavelli describes. In my experience, reading the summaries and commentaries after reading the respective chapters in "The Prince" is, as always, the best way to use these Cliff's Notes. Besides, our family name appears in the book as one of Machiavelli's examples.

I thought that Niccolo Machiavelli's book, The Prince, was extremely well written. It was very vivid in its descriptions. I believe this book should be considered one of the greatest works of literature ever. I highly recommend you read it. I guarantee you will not be disapointed.

Mujercitas really made me wonder about the opportunity we all have to live a life full of joy. Made me also wonder how come most of us do not apprecite and value this opportunity given. With this book I have decided that I will, even if others don't, that's up to them. In addition, made me think about the family I once had and with a little more forgiveness, It could return to me. Read the book, if you are into the sentimental type, but if you are Stone-Cold don't waste your time!!!.

I think Mujercitas is a wonderfull book, which tell us about human kind. It teaches us to love each other ant tha the best things in life are those you can not buy with money.

Black Novel With Argentines by Luisa Valenzuela is a grimly compelling story of obsession and murder. Two strangers, a man and a woman actress, cross paths one fateful night, and the meeting results in the woman's death. A dark and twisted saga of seemingly inexplicable motivations and cold-blooded ruthlessness, Black Novel With Argentines clearly documents Luisa Valenzuela as having a first-rate literary mastery of the suspense genre with an uncanny ability to fully engage her readers from first page to last.

I think The writer's use of words is marvelous... It gives you a sense of delight and looks deeper into the souls of everyday life. I think everyone should read this...

Bueno María Luisa, se que eres peruana y tengo la certeza de que eres una bella mujer, además por las líneas que hasta el momento he leído de tu libro puedo asegurar que eres una inteligente y respetable escritora. La manera como manejas las escenas, los tiempos y los personajes; hace notable tu don; tu obra hace gala de una rica y inmesurable imaginación, la novela de hoy en día se ve limitada por "qué tanto uno se atreva contar de su vida" es decir, carece de creatividad; sin embargo tu muestras lo escencial de la literatura: Todo lo que la mente puede crear.

Recibe esto como el halago o critica de un admirador de tu arte.

Dominic by William Steig
Reviewed by Julia

At first I thought Dominic was going to be a boring book about a dog. I also thought it was going to be sad. I thought that because on the cover it looked like a dog that had lost his way. However, when I read the first page about Dominic, the lead character, who wants to have fun and adventure, I thought this would be exciting to read. Every animal that Dominic meets along the way has a problem. The Doomsday Gang is the villains who try to ruin everyone's fun. While there are many main characters, the most important ones are Dominic, Barney Swain, and Bartholomew Badger. The first animal Dominic meets, the Alligator Witch, is a fortune teller who gives him a spear that will help him along the way. Next, Dominic meets Bartholomew Badger, a pig, who is rich, old, and ill. Dominic makes friends and takes care of him. Bartholomew Badger gives him all his riches when he dies. Dominic isn't sure if he wants all those riches since the Doomsday G ang keeps trying to steal them. Barney Swain has the biggest problem of them all. He is robbed by the Doomsday Gang of the money he was going to use for his wedding. Dominic gives him some of the riches and they become good friends. Dominic helps so many animals that don't have what he has. He was a one "dog" community service volunteer.

I love this book not only because it is exciting and has adventure, but also it is about friendship. My favorite part of the book is the ending. I won't tell everyone what happens but: Matilda Fox (who is a goose!) will never forget how brave Dominic is. Mwana Bhomba, the magician and elephant, can't remember how he got here from Africa. The way Dominic helps him is really funny. Anyone who likes animals and comedy should definitely read this book. As people can tell, these animals act like silly people. The author has a great imagination. This book is sad and a little scary but this is a great summer camp book.

Despite winning a Walt Whitman and being an ALA notable, I still feel that Dominic has been overlooked for the past twenty years. Whenever I see lists for suggested reading I rarely see Dominic included. I have a theory for this, but it may sound like a bunch of hogwash. It is well documented that the main cogs, levers and bearings in the English departments for the past 40 years at least have been women. No, I'm not getting ready to say something sexist. Dominic, I think, is a book for the male population, and it could easily have slipped through a female reviewer's hands with the opinion of "good, but not superior." Now, this is not to place blame anywhere, simply to suggest that perfectly natural forces were and are and always shall be at work. Dominic embodies a certain masculine spirit, one which is infused with honor, nobility and simple virtue, yet at the same time he is complex and curious, wondering what makes his world go around. The illustrations which Steig provides match Dominic completely: simple, yet revealing. Dominic is the story of a dog who feels the bite of adventure take hold one day, and he sub- sequently tacks a note on his door and runs off into the wide world (with his collection of mood hats). He goes through a series of archetypal adventures, has brushes with death in various forms, develops an honorable reputation, and in the end finds true love. The entire book is infused with a light humor. The language in the book interesting. There are large words here and there which challenge the reader, not letting him/her get by without discovering meaning in some way, whether by dictionary or context. The reader can't simply stop reading the book because the story is too good, so they must discover meaning. (deconstructionists please hush!) - Dave Leaton

I was amazed to read Dave Leaton's fascinating comments about Dominic being a book for the boys! As a child, this was my favourite book; I still have a beaten-up copy of it on my shelves at home, and I am most certainly a woman, nor was I a tomboy as a girl. It is an adventure story, for heavens' sake! And I do not feel that honour, (sorry, I'm English) nobility, virtue and complexity are peculiarly male traits. Aside from this, I enjoyed his review, which is accurate and interesting. I suspect that the reason this book hasn't received much attention of late is far more to do with the fact that thousands of children's books are published each year, and we are inclined to look more at what's new. Having said that, Dominic is a beautiful book - it's eventful, comic, very poignant too, and the charm of the book lies in Dominic's great eagerness to discover as much as the world can offer him. That curiosity appeals to boys and girls alike! - Sally Bigg