Getting to know Panama (Paperback)

by Michele Labrut (Author) "The first vestiges of human presence in the Isthmus were found in Lake Alajuela, also called Madden Lake, dating back 11,000 years..." (more)
Key Phrases: Bocas del Toro, Panama Canal, Costa Rica (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"Getting to Know Panama" fills a need for those who come to Panama as visitors or residents. Panamanians also, will find out how much they didn't know about their own country. Autor Michèle Labrut, a Frenchwoman, was particularly well-equipped to compile this treasure-trove of information. She is a long-time resident, a journalist, and correspondent for Time, Magazine, NBC News and other international publications. "Getting to Know Panama" reflects her deep fascination for the country's history, culture, modern vitality as a center of commerce, and the abiding beauty of its islands, beaches, mountains and jungles. She guides the reader on many a hinterland trek and caters to the seekers of adventure as well as the naturalists who are discovering the vastness and variety of Panama's unspoilt ecosystems.

About the Author
Michèle Labrut first came to Panama as a press attaché to the French Embassy between 1965-68. When her stint with the French foreign service ended, much-travelled Michèle gave Panama her personal "most favoured nation" status and returned to the isthmus as a foreign correspondent. Her work has been published widely in prestigious journals all over the world and she is a respected member of the country's foreign press corps. In 1982, her book "Este es Omar Torrijos", a biography of Panama's former strongman and head of state was published. She has recently collaborated in making several documentaries for the BBC and European and U.S. television networks. Michèle's profession necessitates a profound knowledge of the country but her acumen is not from necessity alone, but a genuine passion for Panama.

Product Details

• Paperback: 271 pages
• Publisher: Focus Publications; 2nd edition (October 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9589527647
• ISBN-13: 978-9589527641
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #982,347 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars See Panama like a Native!, July 3, 2001

By A Customer

What a wonderful resource! I only wish this book was available to me before I made my trip. Three other guide books went with me the summer I spent in Panama, and when I found this book in a Panamanian department store, those other books stayed in my suitcase.

"Getting to Know Panama" has a easy to read map to help you get your bearings. It suggests places to eat in all price ranges, places where my group ate like the locals do with the freshest fish and incredible produce. It suggests shopping areas, and spotlights historic locations. And after the first two weeks of straining our brains trying to understand folks with our meager store of Spanish language knowledge, we really appreciated the directions to the English language bookstore!

The book is organized by "neighborhood". This is helpful when you're on your own and organizing your own time. The historical background is interesting and and well-written. And I can honestly say we were never unpleasantly surprized or disappointed with what we found as we explored Panama using "Getting to Know..." as our guide.

Pick this book and pack it FIRST if you're planning a trip to Panama!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars See Panama like a Native!, July 3, 2001

By A Customer

What a wonderful resource! I only wish this book was available to me before I made my trip. Three other guide books went with me the summer I spent in Panama, and when I found this book in a Panamanian department store, those other books stayed in my suitcase.

"Getting to Know Panama" has a easy to read map to help you get your bearings. It suggests places to eat in all price ranges, places where my group ate like the locals do with the freshest fish and incredible produce. It suggests shopping areas, and spotlights historic locations. And after the first two weeks of straining our brains trying to understand folks with our meager store of Spanish language knowledge, we really appreciated the directions to the English language bookstore!

The book is organized by "neighborhood". This is helpful when you're on your own and organizing your own time. The historical background is interesting and and well-written. And I can honestly say we were never unpleasantly surprized or disappointed with what we found as we explored Panama using "Getting to Know..." as our guide.

Pick this book and pack it FIRST if you're planning a trip to Panama!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good, but not what I was expecting, February 8, 2007

By	Brian Allen "neotropical birding" (Manistee, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have to disagree slightly with the first two (one) reviews. This book is good. It is well written and organized. It has excellent historical information on all of the regions of Panama and it will provide insight into the culture that only someone that has lived and traveled extensively in the area, like the author, could provide. This book is dated though and despite it being the second edition I was suprised that it was ten years old. Panama has changed considerably in the last ten years, especially the tourist infrastructure. Also this book is somewhat incomplete with little information on places other than the larger towns and major tourist attractions. Unlike a guide book like the Lonely Planet, which is frequently updated and detailed, you will not find very much information on towns such as El Valle or Sante Fe or some of the lesser visited National Parks like Cerro Hoya.

I would recommend this book if you would like to learn more about the history and culture of the regions of Panama, to learn about the food, the sports and entertainment. If you want to learn about lodging, resorts, and destinations and need more updated information I would check out the other guidebooks first.