Osborne's work is the first history text to explore the sweep of California's past in relationship to its connections within the maritime world of the Pacific Basin. Presents a provocative and original interpretation of the entire span of California history Reveals how the area's Pacific Basin connections have shaped the Golden State's past Refutes the widely held notion among historians that California was isolated before the onset of the American period in the mid-1800s Represents the first text to draw on anthropologist Jon Erlandson's findings that California's first human inhabitants were likely prehistoric Asian seafarers who navigated the Pacific Rim coastline Includes instructor resources in an online companion site: www.wiley.com/go/osborne
#4066528 in Books Palgrave Macmillan 2002-10-04 2002-10-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.80 x .95 x 5.16l; .69 #File Name: 1403960461323 pages
Review
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. From Heroism to HeartbreakBy Dana GarrettNow that the agreement to allow Cuban Americans to visit their families in Cuba has been significantly scaled back by President George Bush; it is fascinating to consider how many Cuban Americans are correctly bewailing the loss of a right brokered for them by the very man they shunned for making the visits possible: Bernardo Benes.This book tells the story of Bernardo Benes and the times and circumstances in which he operated. We learn of his boyhood in Cuba; his flight to Miami as a young man; his financial successes and humanitarian work in Miami and the deserved notoriety he received. We also learn about his secret missions to Cuba at the USA's behest; his frequent conversations and negotiations with Castro; and how his considerable accomplishments in these matters cost him dearly in the exile community; even endangering his life. Although the author often strikes an oddly detached tone in his descriptions of the violent and inquisitorial nature of some elements of the Cuban exile community; he provides all the salient details and history.By book's end; readers are left wondering why Bernardo Benes isn't esteemed as a great hero in the Cuban-American community. It is here we realize that the real main character of this true tale is the Cuban exile community; not Bernardo Benes; and how their grievance long nurtured by hatred; violence; and dogmatic conformity distorts a hero's triumph into heartbreak.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Customer ServiceBy Peter J. SheldonExcellent delivery time; reasonably priced; and great book - had the opportunity in talking with the author. He is a very kind man who was very helpful3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. "The Price of Negotiations"By Luis Hernandez Jr.Secret Missions to Cuba: Bernardo Benes; Fidel Castro; and Cuban Miami is well researched; insightful; and vividly detailed work that examines the complicated and emotional dynamics of United States-Cuban relations through the unique lens of Bernardo Benes' honest account of secret negotiations with Fidel Castro and then provides analysis addressing the passionately charged sentiments of the exile Cuban-American community in Miami. Explicit naratives shall captivate the reader with the juicy detials of high-stakes negotiations. The firsthand account and historical information Dr. Levine has gathered shall serve as an invaluable resource for historians and academics in the years to come. The political dynamics that clearly come into play in the context of these delicate negotiations and emotional relationships is certainly insightful. Secret Missions to Cuba is most certainly a fascinating account of unwavering diplomatic negotiations in a highly emotional and passionate setting. There are certainly lessons from history to be learned by reading this book. Recommended without reservations!
