The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica [Paperback]

Mavis Hiltunen Biesanz (Author), Richard Biesanz (Author), Karen Zubris Biesanz (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Costa Rica is unique among Latin American cultures. Ticos, as Costa Ricans call themselves, have a higher standard of living than their neighbors, with a higher literacy rate, a well-developed social security system, widespread access to electrical power, and a traditional system of education. Much more than a land of coffee and bananas, Costa Rica boasts more teachers than soldiers?it has even abolished its army. This book is divided into 11 chapters covering history, government and politics, the economy, the family, education, and religion. The authors draw on their experiences in the country, interviews with people from all walks of Costa Rican life, and secondary sources. The result is a solid monograph on Costa Rica that points out the contradictions in its perception by the rest of the world. The conclusions dwell on Costa Ricans' distrust of changes that await the country in future decades. Recommended for academic libraries and public libraries that collect in the history and culture of our neighbors to the South.?Boyd Childress, Auburn Univ. Lib., AL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

When I was researching Costa Rica as a candidate place for retirement, despite some effort, I was unable to find much literature beyond the standard travel and retirement guides and a few rather dry tomes of some international institutions. I was therefore delighted to come across and read The Ticos.

The writing is a nice blend of hard facts and well-researched statistics with deductions from personal interviews, all of which is neatly intertwined with astute personal observation and personal anecdotes. It is very well-written. The language flows as easily as in a good novel.

All in all, a most interesting book. I strongly recommend it to foreign residents of Costa Rica. I equally recommend it to those considering Costa Rica as a country for residence, whether for retirement or business. -- Chris Couzens, La Voz, June 1999

When a new book by the Biesanzes comes out, observers of Costa Rica sit up and take note. The Ticos, a penetrating analysis of this society, is downright enjoyable reading, even for those who know (or care) little about this corner of Latin America. -- Rod Hughes, The Tico Times, December 24, 1998 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 307 pages
• Publisher: Lynne Rienner Pub (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555877370
• ISBN-13: 978-1555877378
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,495 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > History > Americas > Central America > Costa Rica

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heading for Costa Rica? Take this book, July 3, 2000

By 

Norma (Grecia, Costa Rica) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica (Paperback)

Heading for Costa Rica? Take The Ticos along with a guidebook. The Ticos is a fascinating and beautifully written account of Costa Rica, past and present. The authors bring to bear on the subject their more than half-century of residence in the country, as well as their formidable anthropological expertise. As a permanent resident of Costa Rica, I compared my own observations and experiences with those of the Bizantzs. For every topic examined - community, health care, religion, family, education and so forth, the authors' descriptions were consistent with my own, and their keen analyses deepened my understanding of the country I have adopted as my own.

Beyond what The Ticos tells us about Costa Rica, this book is also extremely valuable for its examination of the effects of structural adjustment economic policies imposed on this country by the international financial institutions and by the United States (through bilateral agreements) as conditions for loans. These policies are having the same deleterious effects worldwide on developing countries. Normally, discussions of the impact of structural adjustment policies are abstract and academic. The Ticos, in contrast, provides us with a concrete and specific assessment of the "fall out" institution by institution, free of technical jargon. For foreign residents of Costa Rica (and prospective residents) I would say this book is a "must". But even short-term tourists will benefit from reading it.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Insight!, April 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica (Paperback)

After having spent a year in Costa Rica as an exchange student, I'm always looking for good reads about the Ticos and their culture. By pure chance I ended up at Barnes and Nobles one day and Richard Biesanz was doing a book signing for the collaborative book release. I found the book to be wonderfully insightful. Even if you aren't familiar with the Ticos you will find the book to be very intersting. The Biesanz let you look into all aspects of the life that the Costa Ricans lead, from the type of economy they have right down to their everyday lifestyle. From reading the book you will walk away with a better understanding of what makes the Ticos so special, and it will make you want to travel to Costa Rica and see it for yourself! It is a job well done! The Biesanz have a deep understanding and enjoyment of this culture and people, and you will feel that as you read the book.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars almost as good as my favorite CR book!, May 29, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica (Paperback)

While Biesanz & company have produced a lucid and info-packed "insider's" book on Costa Rica, I still find that it comes in second to my favorite CR book, "Costa Rica: The Last Country The Gods Made": a hybrid of a coffee-table book, a social/ politcial discussion and a geological history in a series of essays and sidebars.

The Last Country The Gods Made truly does live up to it's scope of topics. Aside from geology and social history, it covers the political and economic history of the country and emphasizes its liberal reformist tradition as exceptional in Central America.

I just like the writing better because the subjects are leavened by humor and, at times, almost poetical diction.
Also, frankly, the photos are better! And the prices are comparable so, maybe check them both out! But if you're on a budget, just buy The Last Country.