A sweeping history of the Latino experience in the United States- thoroughly revised and updated. The first new edition in ten years of this important study of Latinos in U.S. history; Harvest of Empire spans five centuries-from the first New World colonies to the first decade of the new millennium. Latinos are now the largest minority group in the United States; and their impact on American popular culture-from food to entertainment to literature-is greater than ever. Featuring family portraits of real- life immigrant Latino pioneers; as well as accounts of the events and conditions that compelled them to leave their homelands; Harvest of Empire is required reading for anyone wishing to understand the history and legacy of this increasingly influential group.
#64271 in Books 2010-04-27 2010-04-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.40 x .90 x 5.50l; .77 #File Name: 0143117688432 pages
Review
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Unexpected; Informative; and EntertainingBy JAAlthough I have read a good deal of military history in the past 35 years; I was almost did not try this book. Some good books have come out lately retelling stories of well known naval campaigns from a different emphasis and I was not ready for another one of those trying to make a whole book out of Salamis. But most of the material in this book was totally new to me. Yes; the battle of Salamis and its far-reaching influence on the development of western civilization is well known. But of the naval battle that immediately preceded it; I was largely ignorant. And after Xerxes' invasion; when you think the climax of the book would have already come; you aren't even half-way through the book. It goes on to describe many naval and combined naval-marine campaigns in detail; most of which were new to me. And it brings to life briefly many accomplished Greek fleet commanders who were new to me; also. You circle through the eastern Mediterranean from Salamis to Macedon; to Byzantium; to Sinope; down the cost of Asia Minor; up the Nile through Lower Egypt; across to Sicily; up to Corfu; and through the Peloponnese back to Athens. In the process the Author covers many aspects beyond the battles and the tactics such as ship construction; the place of the sailors in society; emancipation of slaves through naval service; the trophies and use of the proceeds of naval supremacy. The book has good maps and other illustrations. The Author; although an Academic; wrote a very readable and entertaining book. It was actually a joy to read. I first purchased the MP3 recording to listen to while exercising but I hadn't quite finished it before I had to purchase the hard back: not only to more comprehensively read the story; but where else are you going to find a map of the battle of Goat River? Having given a few other recent books a "5"; I would have given this one a "7" if I could have.My compliments also to .com for advertising the book and the MP3 recording well before their release. I waited until I saw the first few reviews posted before I thought it was a good bet. I hope this review in turn encourages someone else to plunge into the Aegean.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Clearly a Labor of Love by the AuthorBy JGarWow. This is non-fiction at its finest. John Hale provides a magnificent; educational; and thoroughly entertaining general history of the Athenian navy. Lords of the Sea follows the navy from its first crowning achievement under Themistocles at the Battle of Salamis to its ultimate subjugation to the Kingdom of Macedonia. Along the way; Hale mentions major military actions; important and interesting sailors; and political intrigue; as well as how Athenian culture reflected its navy.I highly; highly recommend this book!6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. The Story of the Athenian NavyBy Marco Antonio AbarcaJohn Hale has set himself an ambitious goal to chronicle the history of the Athenian Navy from the days of the Persian Wars until the final surrender to the Macedonians. This is a mighty task and for the most part; Hale is up to the challange. John Hale is a naval archaeologist who has dedicated a long and productive career to the study of the Greek and Roman maritime world. Not only a serious scholar; Hale is also a gifted writer with a talent for vividly resurrecting a long gone world.My only criticism is that Hale has bitten off too much history to condense into one volume. The role of theAthenian Navy in the Persian Wars; the Peloponnesian War and the rise of Alexander the Great are all worthy of individual books. I wish that Hale had followed the example of Donald Kagan who wrote a multi-volume history of the Peloponnesian War. One can only hope that such an engaging writer will in the future go back and tell the story of the rise and fall of the Athenian Navy in a more measured way.
