Viva Colores/ Vivid Colors: A Salute to the Indomitable People of Guatamala / Un Saludo a La Indomable Gente De Guatamala (Hardcover)

by David Hill (Author), Paola Gianturco (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The joyful cacophony of color that envelopes visitors to Guatemala may seem misplaced at first. After all, the nation has only recently emerged from a 36-year civil war that destroyed its infrastructure and claimed more than a million lives. But to the authors of ¡Viva Colores!: A Salute to the Indomitable People of Guatemala, it is a vivid expression of a 1,500-year-old spirit that refuses to die.

Photographer Paola Gianturco and writer David Hill offer inspirational profiles of a people who have endured and, indeed, gained strength, thanks to the bounty of their land, their beliefs, traditions, and kinship with one another. People like Luis.

Luis was orphaned as a small child. The aunt and uncle who took him in sent him into the streets to hawk trinkets and cadge pesos from tourists. He quickly figured out that he could do better if he learned the tourists’ language, so he taught himself English. At 18, he became a licensed tour guide. Five years later, he was begging again, a homeless panhandler, brought low by demon rum. Then he found AA, which helped him get sober and gave him a reason to live. He traveled his country, launching AA programs. Today, he’s a doting grandfather and popular tour guide. Luis’ story is but one of many Gianturco and Hill have discovered in their travels through Guatemala. Readers of their book will enjoy—and be inspired by—many more.

About the Author
Paola Gianturco’s work has been exhibited by the United Nations; the US Senate; the Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival; Chicago’s Field Museum; San Francisco’s International Museum of Women; and Los Angeles’ Norton Simon Museum; and has been published by magazines and newspapers across the United States and abroad. Her first book, In Her Hands: Craftswomen Changing the World (powerHouse Books, 2000), showed how craftswomen in 13 countries were affecting their families and communities. In Celebrating Women (powerHouse Books, 2004) she introduced readers to festivals in a dozen countries that celebrate women’s qualities and achievements.

David Hill helps create communications strategies for heads of for- and non-profit organizations, then creates the communications these strategies call for—ads, annual reports, articles, billboards, brochures, speeches, and websites. He co-founded Saatchi Corporate Communications in 1978, and headed it until 1993. He is the author of Great Corporate Ads Are Made Not Born (Dancer Fitzgerald Sample, Inc., 1979); Getting Heard, The Science and Art of Effective Communications (Lakewood Publishing, 1997); many magazine and newspaper articles and op-eds; and several corporate films. He holds a degree in Latin American history and a lifelong fascination with Latin American affairs.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 151 pages
• Publisher: powerHouse Books; Bilingual edition (September 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576873358
• ISBN-13: 978-1576873359
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #901,620 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Experience the Bounty of Guatemala through Vibrant Photos and Profiles, October 31, 2006

By	Reader of arts and culture (New York City) - See all my reviews

I always keep an eye out for new books by photographer Paola Gianturco. When I opened VIVA COLORES, words like stunning, beautiful, gorgeous just rolled out! The photographs here are so vibrant, the book pulls you in to explore what else you'll find beyond its sheer beauty. And what you do find is a beauty of another kind in addition to its visual artistry. You'll find the strength, the soul of a people.

The text by David Hill succinctly and eloquently gives voice to the valor and courage of everyday Guatemalans who have flourished against all odds. The people profiled share dreams for themselves and their country, like 12-yr old Maria, one of nine children, who wants to be a doctor. Her family is so poor that they can't buy food, yet so resourceful since the father rents land to grow their own food. Lucky for Maria that her parents understand the value of education, so she goes to school and excels and now has a scholarship ensuring her continued learning.

The text is written in Spanish and English, enabling so many more people to journey to this dynamic country and experience its spirited people. Like eye candy these rich color photographs make this book a wonderful gift. And the benefits don't stop there. The authors have designated the proceeds to benefit the PAVA Foundation, which works with villagers in Guatemala's highlands building bridges, schools, water pipelines, providing teachers and scholarships, amongst its many services. Truly a great book and gift, for so many reasons.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book & Great Gift Idea, December 15, 2006

By	Thoughtful Shopper (California) - See all my reviews

I'm a traveler, but no matter how much time I can spend in a place, I inevitably feel like I'm just scratching the surface. Even when sitting in a cafe or small square away from the usual tourist destinations, I always feel like I'd like to learn more about the "ordinary" folks walking past; VivaColores does just that, and the book proves I am right in my belief that even the most average-seeming people can be extraordinary. The book is a journey into Guatamala, but more so, it's about discovering the the rich lives of the people there.

Like Gianturco's prior books, this one is filled with great photography, enlightening text, and serves well as a conversation-starter on your coffee table. But, reading VivaColores also makes you feel like a better person for the time spent.

I highly recommend this book as a gift to anyone, or to yourself. Enjoy!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Capturing the Essence, November 11, 2006

By	Robert P. Sangster - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The images in Viva Colores expertly capture the essence of Guatamala. In addition to being fine art, the photographs tell stories that convey the hopes of hard working people in a country poor in almost everything but spirit.