I like this book because it gives you good information on Paraguay. It also gives people who aregoing to Paraguay a little background info.

this slim booklet is a collection of two papers on Paraguay, one by Hopkins from 1852, and another more recent one. Hopkin's paper is the relevant one; it's a conference held for the Geographical Society in New York. Hopkins had a project of creating a company for steamship transportation on the rivers Parana and Paraguay, and held the conference looking for financial and political backing. After the conference the Society pressured the US government for an expedition to the area, and the outcome was the "Water Witch" expedition to the Plata (in parallel to the better known Perry expedition to Japan - Paraguay at the time was known as the Japan of South America, on account of its isolation). But in the end Hopkins could not fullfill his dream, he had a row with the government of Paraguay, was expelled, and Paraguay created a steamer service without his participation. The "Water Witch" had another incident with Paraguay in 1855, exchanged shots and suffered a casualty. Over these two incidents the USA declared war on Paraguay, and in 1859 sent south a fleet of 19 warships. Things were patched up with the help of neighboring Argentina, and no shots were fired this time. Soon after the events in the States quickly removed these far placed problems from public attention.
So the conference in this booklet is the starting point of a rather intriguing and little known sequence of events in US (and Paraguay's) history.

After reading about the military operations in the Chaco War, I wanted to know further and read contemporary literature of both beligerents. Son of a Man is much more, it is itself a brief history of the generation to be involved in that bloody war, that bled white both paraguay and bolivia's populations. Son of a Man is the story of common people, and through their lives the history of a country is knit.

The author actually went to the area and observed the actual ruins of the Jesuits. Besides a history it makes the reader interested in the subject want to go 'see' for himself.

Would put the later, EXPULSION of the JESUITS from LATIN AMERICA one step higher. A much more recent study made by a group of scholars.

Wood's book is a very informative account of a little known episode in US and Paraguayan history. The exploration of the Water Witch was central in a set of events that followed: the opening of the river waterways, the end of the isolation of Paraguay and, as a consequence, its diminished safety, that led to its destruction in the 1865-1870 war. The limits of the book are its lack of context (Perry's expedition to Japan for instance, the US expedition against Paraguay in 1855, the consequences of the opening of the riverways), some imprecisions (the battle of Monte Caseros is placed some 500 km. from where it was fought) and the poor quality of the illustrations.

Except for most of the Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego chapters, which show evidence of capable research and writing, this is a step backward from the previous edition. The coverage of northwestern Argentina is superficial and even naive, and the coverage of Iguazu falls missed the enormous changes that resulted from privatization of national park services over the past few years. It looks as if only one, perhaps two, of the five authors was really up to the job.

I used the guide in February 2003 to complete a trip in Argentina. The Lonely Planet guide was the best that I found, but none were up to par. I had Rough Guide to Argentina with me as well, and found it superior for the descriptions of points of interest. Lonely Planet, however, provided adequate descriptions and added travel information (75% correct) and local maps from time to time. Particularly unreliable were prices (of course, with the economic situation) and flight information. Pricing in any of the Arg. guides published for early 2003 is only good for comparison between like opportunities. Flights tended to be offered on different days or had been cancelled since publishing. The only notable information flaw I remember was in the El Bolson description, where they placed the cervezeria and associated campground on the opposite side of town. Everyone I met travelling to Uruguay or Paraguay had the Shoestring Guide to S.A. rather than this specialty guide, so I have no information on those sections of the book. All in all, the L.P. guide provided the best overall information, and I wouldn't have had as much time to enjoy my trip without it.

The first 'reviewer' has it wrong--this edition of Lonely Planet's Argentina book is a remarkable improvement over the 3rd edition, which at times is convolutedly wordy beyond belief. The review sounds like it was written by the previous author. Be aware that some competetive guidebooks, such as those put out by Avalon (or Moon) pay their authors based on the royalty system. In other words, on how many books they sell. Avalon may be putting out their own Argentina guide soon. Your best advice: run through the books at a bookstore and decide for yourself which fits your needs best.

Elizabeth must be a very angry women. This is the sad impression I got on reading this book. I hope she experiences Peace before she dies. To the reader I would recommend "Why Forgive" by Johann Christoph Arnold

This book relates the history of the Bruderhof from the view of a child growing up. The author was raised as a member of this religious group, took her membership vows then left as a young adult. Bohlken-Zumpe is the granddaughter of founder Eberhard Arnold. My understanding of the Bruderhof, where I also grew up, was enhanced by reading this book. In relating her story, Bohlken-Zumpe does not flinch in revealing personal difficulties. This book along with other ex-bruderhof members books, should be permitted reading among the current membership to help them understand themselves,and their history. I recommend this book for anyone who has experienced belonging to a "cult-like" closed society or wants to understand similar situations. Thankyou for writing your story Elizabeth Bohlken-Zumpe.

This outstanding book presents the "other side", another viewpoint regarding the Bruderhof Movement (Arnoldleut Hutterians). It is a must read for all serious students of Hutterianism. It is certainly not the "party line", but it does present a point of view that needs to be looked at and considered by all students of Hutterianism and any potential recruits to Arnoldianism. Zumpe cannot be dismissed out-of-hand, that's for sure. There are hundreds of others who think just like she does. Their "side" needs to be heard. In the end, the Truth will win out.

I had to use this book for a report in my geagrapy class on Uruguay, and it helped quite a bit!

Professor De Marco is a dedicated researcher, who has gone through a lot of documents to write this book. To a specialist, it can be a treasure throve of details and unknown info. If what you want is a general picture of the Paraguay War (and that is what you would expect from the title) you are in the wrong place. De Marco gives an accurate account of how the argentine army was organized, where the recruits came from, how they dressed, which weapons they had, how the medics were organized etc. But if you want to know what the war was about and what happened in it, you'll have to look elsewhere.

LP guides are usually complete and thorough. so why is the section on buenos aires in this one so carelesly researched? is it because LP wants us to buy their book on buenos aires or because their researchers didn't visit the city at all? i've been to buenos aires countless times. reading the LP guide, one would think that it is just a hamlet not worth wasting your time on. buenos aires is one of the most exciting and mysterious places in the world; a european outpost in south america, full of chic decadence and a lot more than just beef and tango. entire districts are overlooked by the guide, descriptions are misleading or incomplete and uninviting at best. one wonders why. if you're looking for a guide to buenos aires, buy yourself a plane ticket and a map. once in the city, meet the locals. this is one city you need to explore and understand rather than just see. as jorge luis borges once said: ''it would seem that buenos aires has existed forever.''

It's true, this book is not the best LP has to offer, with somewhat pedantic, bone-dry descriptions and overly-detailed town histories your average traveler could care less about. It still offers your basic traveler's information, though, and you won't miss much with this complete tome in your hot little hands.
A promise, however: the next edition will arrive spicier and cutting-edge fresh, with beefed up entertainment sections and wittier town introductions to boot. It will also be more fun to read (same goes for the Buenos Aires guide). I personally guarantee it.

Used this guide for all three countries - Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. The information for the latter two countries was the most detailed and reliable (maybe because things don't change there as fast as they do in B.A.). It was especially good for hotels/restaurants in Montevideo; the region around Igauzu Falls (including Foz de Iguacu and Ciudad del Este); and Bariloche. Travellers going exclusively to Buenos Aires might want to get a more cosmopolitan book (it is impossible to distinguish good hotels from bad, good cultural events, etc. using this book). The whole lonelyplanet shoestring/adventure "feel" doesn't mesh well with a city as culturally rich & refined as Buenos Aires.