Reviews: Book and Article Comments and Reviews

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Book Reviews: Basic Requirements

Simply stated, the reviewer must know two things in order to write a critical review:the work being reviewed and the requirements of the genre to which the work belongs (novel, short story, biography, poetry, etc.).

Knowledge of the work demands not only an attempt to understand what the author's purpose is and how the component parts of the work contribute to that purpose, but also some knowledge of the author--his/her nationality, time period, other works etc.Knowledge of the genre means understanding the art form and how it functions.

Without such understanding, the reviewer has no historical or literary standard upon which to base his/her evaluation.

Minimum Essentials of a Book Review

Description, not a summary, of the book. Sufficient description should be given so that the reader, as he reads the review, will have some understanding of the author's thoughts. This account of the contents of a book can often be woven into the critical remarks.

Something about, not a biography of, the author. Biographical information should be relevant to the subject of the review and enhance the reader's understanding of the work under discussion.

An appraisal, preferably indirect, through description and exposition and based on the aims and purposes of the author. While a critical review is a statement of opinion, it must be a considered judgement including:

a statement of the reviewer's understanding of the author's purpose

how well the reviewer feels the author's purpose has been achieved

evidence to support the reviewer's judgement of the author' achievement.

BOOKS:

Highly Recommend , September 8, 2006 By Bruce Drake (Washington, DC) Former Editor with NPR News As someone who has visited Mexico several times as I struggle with my study of Spanish, and who is thinking of moving there, I found this book to be far superior to the general run of guides on the expatriate life or retiring in Mexico. Some of the others of this genre just lack the ring of authenticity, or seemed to be aimed at people with a lot of bucks who are headed for a gated community or an expensive house in Cabo San Lucas. But the Bowers' book has that ring of authenticity and is squarely aimed at the (for lack of a better cliche) "average Joe" who is looking for a life that is different and/or better and needs down-to-earth practical advice on how an American can make this transition.

To date myself, the Bowers' reporting reminds me of the usefulness of a Travel Forum I used to frequent on one of the pioneer online services, CompuServe, where I got the best travel ideas and advice ever from the many participants who gave their firsthand reports, and to whom you could pose the kinds of questions that you don't see answered in newspaper travel sections or guidebooks.

So, if this is the kind of information you are looking for, buy this book as well as the Bowers' book on Guanajuato.

OMG - just what the doctor ordered!, May 28, 2006 By Sylvia J. Hoolahan

After coming to the conclusion that I need to make some serious changes in my life, and after reading other books on expatriating, I have finally found THE book that made sense to me. Although I want to move to another country, I was hesitant to set up house in areas with large American communities due to the shame and embarrassment I have experienced when confronted with the behavior of fellow Americans in other countries where I have lived. I agree wholeheartedly with Doug and Cindi's suggestions about preparing for the move to Mexico by developing language skills IN SPANISH and making every effort to befriend the locals and honor their culture. I will be planning a trip to Guanajuato to attend a Spanish language school and investigate this seemingly charming city in the near future. Thank you Doug and Cindi for an inspiring book!

Buy it - Un libro excellente, March 16, 2006 By Maura P. Mahon (Morro Bay, CA)

I love this book. The content, writing style, point of view, advice - all of it. I visited central Mexico for the first time several months ago with my boyfriend who attended the Instituto in San Miguel de Allende over 30 years ago. He had been dreaming of his return for many years and hoped to move to the San Miguel area someday. It wasn't until a day trip (that turned into an impromptu overnighter at Casa Kloster) to Guanajuato that I began to share his dream of a move to this beautiful State. I whole heartily agree with Mr. Bower's observations and opinions regarding many things, not the least being the gringo enclaves. San Miguel de Allende is a beautiful city but I found myself uncomfortable at times. The Plain Truth About Living in Mexico clearly defined the uneasiness I experienced. We didn't witness any lunatics chasing beggars but it does not surprise me. That said, The Plain Truth contains so much practical advice for anyone visiting or moving to Mexico. We are making another "fact-finding" trip this summer and I feel we will be much better prepared this time. We are following Mr. Bower's advice on how to learn Spanish. We were using one of the two courses he highly recommends and have added the other. The etiquette discussions are also invaluable. Mi amigo wants to add that The Plain Truth is a very appropriate title as the book illuminates the good with the not-so-good - no lily gilding. We are looking forward to Doug Bowers' new book focusing on Guanajuato.

Guanajuato, Mexico: Your Expat, Study Abroad, and Vacation Survival Manual in the Land of Frogs

Honest and entertaining, January 3, 2007 By David Ivers (Little Rock, Arkansas)

I really loved this book because it tells you what I suspect is virtually everything you need to know. The style is frank but entertaining and explains why Guanajuato is the "real" Mexico. It warns readers against expecting a little version of the United States, yet tells you the unique aspects of Guanajuato that make it a special place.Help other customers find the most helpful reviews Was this review helpful to you? YesNo

4.0 out of 5 stars Great little book on Guanajuato, June 14, 2007 By David (Dallas, TX) -

If you're thinking about moving to Guanajuato then definitely read this book along with the Bower's other book, The Plain Truth about Living in Mexico: The Expatriate's Guide to Moving, Retiring, or just hanging out. It's easy to read, informative, and funny. I thought my wife was crazy when she was reading it and would just start laughing. After reading it myself I understand what the laughing was all about. If you're serious about moving to central Mexico read these books along with others which cover Mexico in general. It'd also be a good idea to spend at least a few weeks in the area you're planning to move to so that you can make sure you're really going to like it. Good luck and see you soon in GTO!

ARTICLES:

I'm going to make sure my students read your article. My job isn't so much to teach them a language as it is to shake up their preconceived notions and start to both deconstruct and broaden their world view. Your article, and in particular the words of the Mexican grad student, will be having an impact on students attending school practically on the border with Canada.

My best,

Lonnie Chu, MA

Just wanted to say well done on the recent article. That should really get some hateful mail flowing your way! I couldn´t agree more with your points on learning languages. It completely baffles me that someone would move to another county, yet expects, and actually sets about changing everything, so it is exactly like where they left. Why leave? OK, yes, it´s cheaper to live here on American dollars.

I currently live in San Cristóbal de las Casas, and fortunately don´t witness much hideous gringo behavior, more Europeans and backpackers here. I also interact more with the locals than with foreigners, and for many of them, Spanish is their second language. I am learning a bit of Tzotzil, the language of the majority of the indigenous population here. I still continue to struggle with my Spanish, it´s good in my head, but frequently leaves my mouth as basura! I get a lot of practice though.

I had much the same experience as you did at the bus terminal, with an American woman who was a part of a tour I was on in Morocco. I went with her to a shop to make her purchase. She chewed out the poor shop girl for an experience she had with a different person in the shop. All in English, all at high volume. She had asked the woman if she spoke English, to which she replied no. I made eye contact with the girl, trying to apologize with my eyes and slowly backed out of the shop in shame. It was the culmination of bad American behavior throughout the trip, that left our poor guide groveling and appeasing her the whole trip and me trying go stay as far away from her as possible. Hard to do in a 5 person tour.

I lived in Guanajuato for 3 months earlier this year, going to language school there. I love the city and would like to get back sometime to visit friends there. After hearing and reading stories about "gring-osities" in San Miguel, or San Mike as I´ve heard it referred to now, I never had the appetite to visit there.

Thanks for the stories, I look forward to reading more!

Diana Strangfeld

As an American who is horrified by the behavior of Americans like the 'gringa' in the bus station in your recent article in Escape Artist's ezine, I thank you for the clear and heartfelt loving attitude you have towards the people among whom you've chosen to live.

My husband and I are beginning to look around at alternative lifestyles in which we can live comfortably and inexpensively. Mexico is one of the places high on our list. I went to college for a year in San Antonio back in the late '60s, and it was a snooty women's college at the time. I wasn't a rich kid, I was a poor scholarship girl, and found the belles abhorrent - and the Mexicans (and Hispanics from all of Central and South America who were students there) absolutely wonderful. I spent my entire year hanging out with them, and yes, tried to learn as much Spanish as I could in that time. To this day, my roomate of choice (after a few weeks we got to switch from assigned roomates to one we preferred), was a Tex-Mex girl - and we remain dear friends to this day.

I fell in love with the culture then, and have never lost that feeling. In a 'you couldn't write this stuff' strange coincidence, my son-in-law discovered that he's half-Spanish, not half-Italian as his British family thought... and he is a landscape designer who works with Mexicans every day (and had been before he discovered his heritage, which is embraces enthusiastically). He and my daughter (a professional photographer like me) recently went to Mexico, were thrilled to have stayed as honored guests at the home of one of his workers in a tiny town not too far from Taxco, and spent a lot of their time and energy working to get these fellows legal status here in the states. His crew is totally loyal to him - why? because he treats them with respect, and learned their language to communicate with them, and loves them - they ARE his friends. He even joined their soccer league! I am so proud of him, for being the kind of American your article wishes we all were.

Here's hoping with you that the days of the Ugly American - in Mexico and throughout the world - are coming to an end.

Sincerely,

Carol Everhart Roper

I don’t normally respond to an author to give a “high five,” but I just read your article in the August issue of Escape from America Magazine entitled “What’s wrong with us in Mexico?” and I am so happy to know there are other Americans in Mexico that feel the same as I do. Now, I am not there yet with the language fluency, but I have been studying Spanish in various classes for the past 3 years and will shortly (after retirement the end of this year) be going to a language school in Puebla for a three month study whereby I hope to be well on my way to assimilating in the Mexican culture and able to communicate in all the necessary areas (and more) of life.

I vacationed in Guanajuato City a few years ago & just loved it. I know that there are not many ex-pats there, which is wonderful for you. J If you wouldn’t mind and when you find the time, I would really appreciate it if you would let me know any pertinent information you would like to pass along about living in Guanajuato.

I have an aunt and uncle in Ajijic (of course, all American & Canadians) and they want me to come live near them. Based on that situation, I’m trying to find out what other villages I can find around there that are not completely swamped with ex-pats with all American surroundings. I, like you, don’t understand why a person would choose to move to Mexico and still want to maintain their “all-American” or “all-Canadian” surroundings, businesses, culture and language. My whole reason for retiring in Mexico is to completely change my way of life and adopt in every way that exciting and wonderful country.

I just want to thank you for telling the whole truth & nothing but the truth regarding the “ugly American” that is all too prevalent in all foreign countries. And, Americans wonder why we are so often despised elsewhere. J

Thank you for your insightful article and for being willing to speak out against that type of injustice.

Bev Purswell

Salt Lake City, Utah