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The Panama Hat Trail Paperback – November 1, 2001

by Tom Miller (Author), Tony Hillerman (Foreword)

21 customer reviews

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This 15th anniversary reissue of Miller’s travel classic follows the making and marketing of a single Panama hat. It’s a captivating story of cultures in collision, raw capitalism, and an exotic, humorous journey.

The Panama Hat Trail

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Though offering perhaps more about Panama hats than the reader might ever want to know, this is a satisfying travel book that tells much else about Ecuador and its peoples. The growing, harvesting, and processing of straw, the weaving of it, the finishing of the hats, exportation, and all the bartering along the way is the glue that holds this book together. Visiting the countryside and towns such as Quito, Guayaquil, Lago Agrio, and Jipijapa ("among the ugliest towns south of the equator"), Miller tells us, among other things, about the Indians and their sad centuries-long plight, expatriates, illegal Ecuadorian emigration to the United States, precarious third-class Andean bus trips, the small Jewish community, and a wild and tragic Corpus Christi fiesta. Maps, index, and glossary not seen. Recommended for most travel collections. Roger W. Fromm, Bloomsburg Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product details

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: National Geographic; Reprint edition (November 1, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0792263863
ISBN-13: 978-0792263869
Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 0.6 x 8.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #503,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #34 in Books > Travel > Central America > Panama
- #68 in Books > Travel > South America > Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
- #247 in Books > Travel > South America > General

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Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars

5 star		57%
4 star		33%
3 star		5%
2 star		0%
1 star		5%

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Top Customer Reviews

conveys with empathy South America through "Gringo" eyes

ByA customeron January 21, 1999

Format: Hardcover

This book draws a wonderful and accurate picture of South America, in particular Ecuador, as seen through the eyes of a Westerner. Especially for anyone who has back-packed in these areas in the seventies and eighties, the country comes alive and one finds oneself transported back there through the author's straightforward style, gentle humour and empathy with the people and landscape. The story of the making of Panama hats, from growing the straw through to retailing the product in quality outlets throughout the States is fascinating. The life styles, understanding and expectations of the various people in the chain are portrayed in a way that captures the imagination and surrounds the reader with their reality. At the same time, one's awareness is drawn in a gentle manner and without accusation, to the situation of the "plebs" of third world countries, exploited by and dependent on the West. A satisfying book to read, very interesting and an enjoyable way to learn some of the history of the area.

0Comment 27 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Great Reading for Lovers of Hats or Travel or Both

ByFred Belinskyon December 11, 2005

Format: Paperback

My lifelong interest in travel literature began when, as a child, I read Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas's account of his travels among the Kurdish People of the Middle East. Miller's book is a good read on traveling in Ecuador (where the best panama hats are made), written by a professional writer in this genre (ON THE BORDER, TRADING WITH THE ENEMY: TRAVELS THROUGH CASTRO'S CUBA). This "hat classic" (my opinion), is Miller's first-hand account as he follows the making of Panama hats from the growing and harvesting of the plant material (cardoluvica palmata), through the process of its curing and preparation for weaving, the weaving itself, the various markets along the way, the chain of distribution of the hat bodies, their exportation around the world, the making of finished hats in a North American hat factory, and the sale to a San Diego retail hat store. The story ends when the final customer buys a panama hat in the retail store. Reading this book cannot help but seal one's appreciation for this materiel de resistance of the straw hat business.

0Comment 13 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Great Book !

ByChagraon September 8, 2005

Format: Paperback

Being an Ecuadorian I really enjoyed the way the author captured the personality and idiosyncrasies of the people he meets along his journey. His descriptions of the countryside and life in Ecuador are very accurate.

0Comment 12 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

very pleasant journey

ByS. T. Mooreon August 19, 2003

Format: Paperback

Tom Miller is an excellent traveling companion, informative, friendly, sympathetic to his hosts.

0Comment 5 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

quirky subject, well-written and interesting

ByMargaret A. Clearyon July 14, 2008

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I very much enjoyed this book as a lead-up to my visit to the home of the Panama Hat, which as you should know is...Ecuador! Although the book was written a number of years ago, the information about the hats, the country and the people appears to remain accurate. Mr. Miller's style and the details he includes kept me engaged all the way through (and made me, I'd like to think, a more knowledgeable visitor and hat buyer!)

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Hats Up!

ByAmazon Customeron March 10, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

That Panama Hat is not from Panama! I am heading to Ecuador this summer and this book really helped set the stage for my trip. It is a well-written, insightful look at Ecuadoran culture from the viewpoint of the Panama hat development and production. But this is far more than about hats. Its about the indigenous peoples, the pride of craftmanship, the risk of losing individual artisans to mass production, the impact of the multinational corporations on local cultures and some of the internal conflicts within Ecuadoran society. Lest this should sound like a potential dull read it is not! Quite to the contrary, it is lively and engaging in the skilled hands of Tom Miller.. in fact I will probably read it again before my trip.

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Great Book

Bywilliam Gleasonon September 5, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Great read, provides an interesting overview of the Panama Hat industry from the grower of the palm to the retailer of a completed hat. What shocked me most was how little money the people actually responsiblefor the growth of the materials and the people weaving the famous hats actually get paid and the extremely poor living conditions they are forced to endure.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

A well written book of Ecuador, its culture and history

ByBadgetton November 13, 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

If you're interested in Ecuador this is a "must read" book. I really enjoyed the book. I like hats, too, but the book is even better for its Ecuadorian history and culture. A well written book of Ecuador, its culture and history. He writes in a nice and easy style. I was disappointed in Ecuador to see very few men wearing this hat and the book explains the history behind their aversion.