Nicaragua /in Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture (The in Focus Guides) [Paperback]

Hazel Plunkett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1999 | Series: The in Focus Guides

"Nicaragua in Focus" is an authoritative and up-to-date guide to this fascinating country. It explores the land, history and politics (including the crucial and difficult relationship with the U.S.), economy, society and people, culture and environment, and includes tips on where to go and what to see. Color and b&w photos, maps.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A marvelous new series...for the traveler who aspires to be well-informed." -- San Francisco Examiner

"These guides undertake no small task by attempting to give the reader a true taste of each country." -- Bloomsbury Review

"[This series] does a great job of talking straight, enlightening, raising our concern and exciting our interest...Long may it thrive." -- John le Carré --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Interlink Pub Group Inc (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566562864
• ISBN-13: 978-1566562867
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,917,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > Travel > Latin America > Central America > Nicaragua

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I strongly recommend FOCUS for anyone visiting Nicaragua, March 30, 2003

By 

Allan M. Gathercoal "fdoamerica" (Norcross, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nicaragua In Focus: a Guide to the People, Politics and Culture (In Focus Guides) (Paperback)

If you're serious about visiting and understanding this undiscovered Central American country, then `In Focus - Nicaragua' should be in your suitcase. This is not a travel guide, thus, I also recommend that you take with you a great travel guide. Consider either `Moon Handbook: Nicaragua' or `Footprint - Nicaragua'. (see my reviews) .

Hazel Plunkett has done her homework. Her short digest of Nicaragua is informative, well written and pensive . When you finish the 94 pages you will have a solid perspective of this country. Her slightly to the left political leanings are evident as she examines the history (often tragic), the politics (for centuries - oppressive and tyrannical) and the economics (exploitive - the small elite use with disregard the impoverished majority who struggle to live) of Nicaragua.

If the publisher would upgrade the mediocre maps, and if Plunkett would enhance her sparse recommendations in her "Further reading section", and give reason why she included them in this section (none of her reading recommendations have a comment to why they were recommended). These few positive corrections would make this very good book into an excellent book. That said, I strongly recommend this short text for anyone visiting Nicaragua 4. 5 stars.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LIVED FOR YEARS IN NICARAGUA STUDYING CULTURE AND HISTORY ADN GEOGRPAHY: THIS BOOK IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS!, June 26, 2007

By 

C. Scanlon "least helpful reviewer" (among us humans) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nicaragua In Focus: a Guide to the People, Politics and Culture (In Focus Guides) (Paperback)

The only possible improvement would be an updating of this book, now five years later, with the free and fair re-election of Daniel Ortega once more as President of Nicaragua, and moving towards the Bolivariano international movement of Latin America.

This book adequately, clearly and comprehensively covers the history of this nation from William Walker to Ocotal to the most recent times, reported very objectively despite what appears elsewhere upon this page by those who might not have seen the same book as the one I received today. I find this book very objective, wel-researched, written and reported, and very thorough.

It is a wonderful addition to any school library at any level, and a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about this intriguing and exciting nation. I lived there. This book tells it like it was, and is.

And that excellent cover photo of the woman with the generous warm smile selling tostadas in the market is making my mouth water with warm memories of happier times.

Not only for the student, but also for travellers. Excellent and updated travellers tips are included for which I can vouch, including how safe it once was while I lived there, although less stable now after the intervening Aleman and Chamorro governments. Very good book to prepare for any trip to Nicaragua. This is a good book, believe me, and the photos are also great. PLEASE DO AN UPDATE SOON!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nicaragua for visitors, March 24, 2008

By 

Ann Coyne "Professor" (Omaha, Nebraska) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nicaragua In Focus: a Guide to the People, Politics and Culture (In Focus Guides) (Paperback)

I have gone to Nicaragua two or three times a year over the past 25 years. This little book is a good overview of the country without getting ideological. It is a few years out of date, but it seems to me pretty accurate. I will order it for my university students who go with me next year.