1 comments about Latino Visions: Contemporary Chicano, Puerto Rican, and Cuban American Artists (Book Report Biography).

1. This is a superb introductory survey of Latino visual arts as practiced in the United States by artists of Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban descent. It would be an excellent selection for libraries, and as a high school text or adjunctive college text. The book's exposition is guided by respect for (and a complex undersanding of) the artists' works, a strategy that avoids pigeon-holing works which often do not fit well into conventional categories. Cockcroft is respectful of the people and their struggles, as well as knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the art. It is beautifully written. (Would that more such texts were written with such clarity as well as such a comprehensive and respectful perspective). It should be especially inspiring to young adult readers, offering as it does example after example of integrity, repect for cultural roots, principled opposition to arbitrary restrictions/oppressions--all expressed creatively with a wide variety of examples, accompanied by excellent photographic illustrations. And the artists are examples of success, too, since many of them have successful careers in galleries and with museum purchases of their works. An example of how Cockcroft integrates diverse elements in discussing the examples, is when he notes the presence of doilies in a Nick Quijano work. Cockcroft says they are present in many Puerto Rican households, then parenthetically explains that this is beacuse "many women did needlework as a way to get extra income' (p.96). Thus do the works "come alive" for the reader. This is a book about the meanings of complex cultures and of individual experiences within (and apart from) them, illuminated by examinations of specific artworks. It is an impressive achievement, and a superior introduction to the artworks discussed, and also to their originating cultures and social and political and mystical beliefs. In short, it is a book aobut art, but it is really a book about respect and tolerance intoday's United States based on knowledge and human decency.

No comments about Soñando: Thoughts of a Young Latino.

No comments about UXL Hispanic American Voices Edition 2..

No comments about Estrellas Peregrinas / Walking Stars: Cuentos de Magia y Poder / Magic and Power Stories.

No comments about People Person: The Story of Sociologist Marta Tienda (Women's Adventures in Science).

1 comments about Eyewitness: A Filmmaker's Memoir of the Chicano Movement (Hispanic Civil Rights).

1. Names and stories about so called "Role Models" fall short in front of this personal memoirs of Jesus Salvador Trevino.
   This book is a great collection of personal experiences and success in a society where not being "white" means to swim against the current.
   I highly recommend it for teachers to share with their students.
   Each page carries a message that says: Yes, it can be done!

No comments about Romance of a Little Village Girl (Paso Por Aqui : Series on the Nuevomexicano Literary Heritage).

No comments about Oscar De LA Renta (Contemporary Hispanic Americans).

4 comments about Celia SPA: Mi Vida.

1. I received this book in very good conditions.
   And its very interesting read the live of Celia Cruz.



2. Yo buscaba una Biografía en la que sintiera que ella me está contando su vida, con sus palabras y su forma de ser. No quería que fuera escrita por otra persona y esta reunió esas condiciones, me divierte mucho, me hace pensar y conocerla mas aún. Tuvo una vida increible, fue un ejemplo de vida, y creo que este libro reúne esos pequeños y grandes momentos relatados por ella.



3. This is my second review of this book which I re-read (I don't know why Amazon lost the first review). The book is a good read and very well descriptive of La Reina de Guanguanco ("Queen of Guanguanco"). Celia spoke of many points in her life which we all can relate to. She also spoke highly about her wishes to return to her homeland. I'm glad we have her in the USA! She is worthy of her success as a human being and a fine negra-latina. Bravo!



4. This book was truly written by Celia Cruz. You can almost see her speaking to you as you read her words. If you are lucky enough to be bilingual get the Spanish version. You'll love it!!! Celia's kindness and honesty is refreshing and inspiring. I had admired Celia Cruz for a long time, this book made me realize why I had found her so likable. Celia was a great human being and a great inspiration to us all, not just as a great entertainer but a wonderful person. I will always treasure this book.

No comments about Dolores Huerta, Labor Leader (The Twentieth Century's Most Influential: Hispanics).