Countries & Cultures of the World, Then & Now, Volume III: The Americas

In this volume the author takes us to every country in South America and Central America. The author discusses why the Catholic Church, dictators, and the military have played such an important role and how the native Amerindians have often maintained their separate cultures in many countries. We go with the author to Inca ruins in Cuzco and Macchu Picchu, on boats on the Amazon and other rivers, to isolated jungle villages, to a ranch in Argentina, to a desert where it never rains, to the cold Andes, and to graceful dances in Latin America' cities. One of the author's visits to Chile was in 1970, shortly before the elction of socialist Allende. Later, the author visited the war zone of Nicaragua in 1987 when Contras regularly attacked. Then, the author takes us to Cuba where he had a chance to talk with many people. We learn how socialism has helped and hurt Cuba. We learn the background of the blockade by the USA and what will probably happen if it is lifted. Mexico, the important neighbor adjoining the U.S.A., represents all of Latin America--its problems, great poverty and wealth, corruption, an uncertain future, and great tourist sites. Finally, the author takes us to our Canada. Canadians are in many ways similar to people in the U.S.A., yet they are are proud of their differences. The author studied four summers in French-speaking universities in Quebec, while living with local families. He and his wife have also driven the Alcan Highway, and the Trans-Canada Highway from Newfoundland through Vancouver Island. They have hiked in much of the Yukon. The author looks at the future of Quebec and Canada. This volume also describes travels in all 50 states of the U.S.A., from the point of view of a world traveler. The author describes visits to nearly all national parks, from Florida to Alaska, and California to Maine. After a capsule history of the U.S.A. in 10 pages he compares the economy and culture of the U.S.A. with that of Europe. He made a bicycle camping trip across the Southwest, and he has hiked much of the Pacific Crest Trail. The author describes many anecdotes with a sense of humor.