Customer Reviews

Colombia (Cultures of the World)

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In the book "Cultures of the World Columbia" author, Jill Dubois presents an average overview of life in Colombia, but with some interesting highlites. The book follows the pattern of the series "Cultures of the World" discussing the country in topics as widely ranging as geography and food. In each chapter Dubois provides an adequate presentation of major factors influencing Colombian life. In many chapters, however she omits 'illustrative details' which perhaps are the hallmark of the entire series. The 'illustrative detail' technique appears in either sideboxes or within the main text. It focuses on a minor item ranging in length from a few sentences to seldom more than a couple of paragraphes. By its similiarity or difference with major factors, it establishes an individual identity for the country, unique among all others. The "Cultures of the World series is 'officially' intended for 'juvenile readers'. Some 'adult'travelguides attempt to use the 'illustrative detail'
technique but seldom as successfully, perhaps because they melt into the homogenizing influences of international business.
Dubois seems to limit use of illustrative detail technique to three chapters. In the chapter "Religion" she mentions a cathedral, seating up to 15,000 people, built in a former saltmine. This serves not simply as a curiousity, but as an illustration of close ties between big business and the conservative Roman Catholic of Colombia. Similiar usage occurs in the "Lifestyle" and "Colombians" (peoples of Colombia) making these three chapters as the heart of the book.
Photos also contribute much to the book and to the illustrative detail technique. In "Lifestyle" (62) a photo shows the dedication of Amerindian students and their teacher studying simply under a roof in the rainforest.
If each chapter was as good as these three chapters, the book would be excellent. As it stands, the book serves as a useful introduction to life in Colombia with some brighter hilites embedded in an adequate but average presentation.