3 comments about Home Is Everything: The Latino Baseball Story: From the Barrio to the Major Leagues.

1. This book is very well photographed and written. The photos are stunning and colorful as well as informative and narrative. Not your stanard picture book, this is much better and will have a longer shelf life as the players are legendary. A must have book for the photographer, the sports fan and the Latino communities around America.



2. In Home Is Everything, Marcos Breton presents story vignettes of Latinos involved in American Baseball, told in both English and Spanish, and enhanced with full-color photographs by Jose Luis Villegas. Slices of daily life training and competing in this great sport, as well as the names and brief profiles of remarkable and dedicated people, comprise this celebration of baseball which is enthusiastically recommended for the fans of Latino players.



3. This is the best book I ever read! Marcos Breton is an amazing writer and historian. Usually, all you ever hear about is Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle, but now we get to hear about Roberto Clemente, Fernando Valenzuela, and Jorge Posada too! Viva Baseball! This book is a valuable addition to any library.

1 comments about The Hispanic World and American Intellectual Life, 1820-1880 (Studies of the Americas).

1. This is a wonderful book-in some ways definitive--about the great circle of 19th century scholars, mainly Bostonians, who inaugurated the study of Spanish history and literature in the United States: George Ticknor, who wrote an epochal history of Spanish literature (and was the first American to travel to Spain --in 1818-- for purposes of scholarship; William Hickling Prescott, author of a great history of the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella; Washington Irving, whose biography of Columbus was a landmark in American historiography (for political as well as scholarly reasons); Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, not known to the general public as a Spanish scholar, but a great one and arguably still the best translator of Spanish poetry into English. The only fault I see is that the objective of this group transcended the academic boundaries of Hispanic studies. These men belonged to a wider circle, mainly of historians, that founded the discipline of history in the United States: George Bancroft, in particular, Jared Sparks (bioghrapher of Washington), and Francis Parkman. Secondly, they established the first great research libraries in this country: Harvard College Library, the Boston Athenaeum, and the Astor Library which, later on, became the New York Public Library. They also were the prime movers in the transmission of European books and of European literary and academic culture to America, a massive movement which was, without any doubt, one of the two or three most significant cultural achievments of modernity.

5 comments about East Side Dreams.

1. Art Rodriguez takes us to jail with him so that we never need to go. He sits us next to him in his cell with nothing left to do but sit and remember. We try with him to connect the memories to being imprisoned, but there is no connection at all.

   Although Art had an abusive father, he never once cites this as a reason for his violent behavior. He was a kid that made poor choices and got what he deserved. He blames no one but himself, and it is with this realization of responsibility that Art turns his life around. He went from street punk to a successful business man, a supportive father and an award winning author. He shows us that people can change and that bad mistakes are not the end of your life unless you allow them to be. Art Rodriguez is the silent roll model all troubled children are looking for.

   This book is a great experience for audiences young and old. Buy it and read it.




2. My son who is 21 came home with this book and said Mom you have got to read this book it is so good. So I said o.k. mejio let me read it! When I started to ready it it brought back so many memories (I grew up in the East Side of San Jose) and most of the things he was talking about I lived it. I laughed and cried and could not put down the book. This is a great book for all ages. After I got done reading it I gave it to my Father to read and he enjoyed it too.



3. East Side Dreams is the debut book and memoir Art Rodriguez, of a Latino American who survived growing up on the rough side, at odds with a dictatorial father, and once an inmate of the California Youth Authority -- a prison system for young lawbreakers. Reflections on both happy and miserable times of his childhood, growing up, learning maturity and finally making a comfortable life for himself fill this heartfelt and revealing personal testimony. Highly recommended reading for young adults, East Side Dreams has justly earned the distinctions of being named the "Best First Book of the Latino Literary Hall of Fame", and has been honored as one of 200 Best Teenage Books in the United States by the New York Public Library System.



4. The Midwest Book Review. May 7, 2002
   East Side Dreams by Art Rodriguez is full of energy and the struggles that the author himself endured while growing up on the east side of San Jose, California in 1966.
   I enjoyed reading this inspirational novel derived from the memories of a teenager who is now a mature and successful businessman.
   East Side Dreams has been translated into Spanish to reach the Spanish speaking population in the United States.
   As I read the troubling times of Art Rodriguez I couldn't relate to many of his predicaments, but I certainly felt compassion toward him and thanked God for my "normal" life. Mr. Rodriguez touches your heart as you read his passionate book of self-taught lessons.
   As you read East Side Dreams, which captures the hopelessness of growing up with an unpleasant childhood, keep in mind that this life drove the author to his true passion-writing!
   The author, Art Rodriguez has been honored by the New York Library System to be on the "2001 Books for Teenage List" for his book East Side Dreams. He was also given "The Mariposa Award-Best First Book" at the Latino Literary Hall of fame for this same book. Bravo! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and encourage young readers to read it, as there are plenty to learn from this book. It will bring tears to your eyes.

   James A. Cox
   Editor-in -Chief
   The Midwest Book Review.




5. Voice of Youth Advocates Magazine October 2002 VOYA
   Growing up in San Jose, California, Arturo Rodriguez and his brothers and sister endured an abusive father, their parents' unhappy marriage, and their father's absence after he returned to Mexico. Rodriguez coped as best he could, but his drinking and drug use, in the wrong place at the wrong times led to his incarceration in California's prison system for young offenders. Against all odds, he put his past behind him, married and had a family, and worked hard to overcome injustices and start a successful business. After his retirement Rodriguez began writing about his life and his family. This book is sequel to East Side Dreams (Dream House, 2001, published in Spanish as Sueños del Lado Este. In this second autobiographical book, he writes about childhood pranks and misdeeds, his mother's near fatal illness, his parent's divorce, the birth of his first child, and how his parents even eventually became friends.
   The writing here is unpolished but sincere in true, and the reminiscences and descriptions are vivid and true to life. Neither how he grew to understand his father and other relatives whom he loved despite their flaws. His message for young readers is clear. It is possible to survived and overcome injustices and hardships. Rodriguez maintains a Web site at www EastSideDreams. com and invites readers to visit, view his picture alum, and perhaps send him an e-message. He will answer.-Sherry York Voice of Youth Advocates Magazine

No comments about Sor Juana Ines De La Cruz.

No comments about The Desert Remembers My Name: On Family and Writing (Camino Del Sol).

No comments about No Greater Love: The Lives and Times of Hispanic Soldiers.

1 comments about Cortijo's Wake / El entierro de Cortijo.

1. A wonderful memory of a dear friend and one of the kindest human beings I've had the pleasure to know.

   I left Puerto Rico in 1980 and still, in my heart, think of it as home.

1 comments about Mi Casa/my House (Somos Latinos / We Are Latinos).

1. My house is about the Rodriguez family and their home. I was excited to learn this family lives near my home. The pictures are wonderful. The author has taken much care when taking the photos.
   
   I enjoyed the dual language format. It allowed me to practice my knowledge of Spanish.

1 comments about The Hispanic 100: A Ranking of the Latino Men and Women Who Have Most Influenced American Thoughtand Culture.

1. THIS IS THE BOOK I'D BEEN LOOKING FOR TO LEARN ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF LATINOS IN EVERY AREA OF ENDEAVOR--MUSIC, SPORTS, SCIENCE, ART, LITERATURE...LATINOS HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH TO OUR COUNTRY AND THESE BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES REALLY GIVES THEM THE PRIDE OF PLACE THEY DESERVE! IT'S A GREAT READ FOR EVERYONE, FROM STUDENTS TO CULTURE VULTURES WHO WANT TO REALLY KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE TOPICS THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT. IF YOU HAVE LATINO FRIENDS, THIS BOOK IS A MUST. IF YOU ARE LATINO, THIS BOOK IS A MUST. IF YOU LIVE IN THE WORLD, THIS BOOK IS A MUST!

4 comments about We Took The Streets: Fighting For Latino Rights With The Young Lords.

1. Micky Melendez has written an excellent easy to read history of Puerto Rican efforts for social, political and economic empowerment from the Young Lords Party in the 1960's to today's struggle for a Latino mayor of Nueva York. This monograph by Micky Melendez is a powerful weapon in Boricua's long walk to freedom. palante



2. Miguel Melendez has given us a thoughtful,inspirational, and sensitive account of the Young Lords Party and also of the many pivotal events of his own life. I loved reading this book full of cultural tidbits and an insider's history of a group of dedicated individuals. This book offers important lessons for today's youth, many of whom feel no connection to the larger society. It serves as a tremendous contribution to young people by sharing positive ways to channel rage and frustration with one's social and emotional condition. The writer brilliantly shows what it is to search for meaning and purpose in one's life as he questions events occurring around him.

   Quiero agradecerle a Mickey para haber escrito un libro tan bello que demuestra que todos tenemos el derecho a la humanidad y dignidad.




3. I gre up during the 80's in west harlem, later the BX, went to manhattan center high school on 116 & pleasant ave .... you can't grow up anywhere in new york city and not recognize puerto rican pride, all you have to do is head up to Orchard Beach after memorial day, but it's a powerful part of the NY experience ....... I picked this up because of the Lincoln hospital story, and garbage offensives, these men and women are patriots of the black and latin community! The New York City minority community! great read, I learned about them in a american history class @ laguardia comm college, and was surprised I'd never heard of them before, I'd passed by lincoln hospital over 100 times, to hear about them being reason for it being built! I'll say it's a different time period now, but the children of NYC need to learn about this group, and movements like these, to learn discipline, and study the pride but learning journey of mister Melendez, then kids wouldn't get lost, because we are losing our city now as the rents are escalating, people are hurting now, and this knowledge is key to a new generation that needs to move forward and stand for something, not just accept circumstances, this book is excellent, powerful, and informative! True "hood", cultural, minority heroes! I'm glad and insprired by it



4. Mr. Melendez's book is well-written and gives the reader a great feel for what it was like living through 60s and 70s NYC as a latino. I'm old enough to remember hearing the stories on the news, but reading them in detail is a different experience altogether.
   
   I hope Mr. Melendez and his former colleagues publish more stories of these times and of the Young Lords. The work they did is still not part of regular curricula in NYC schools; more publications help to establish our history here in NYC.