The Buried Mirror : Reflections on Spain and the New World

Rating:
Summary: Worlds Disparity
Review: An extensive and balanced look at the new world through history. Buried Mirror it's a must read to those who are trying to understand the hispanic world...

Rating:
Summary: Carlos Fuentes MIENTE
Review: Carlos Fuentes en el espejo enterrado dice cosas que son falsas, como que Rocinante es una yegua desvencijada y Cervantes nunca dice eso. Que me desmienta el mismo Fuentes.

Rating:
Summary: Enlighting, brilliant
Review: Carlos Fuentes has a unique view of the world, putting together facts and actions that created Latin America better than anybody. Nobody can explain better and with such a brilliant analysis the History of world than him.

Rating:
Summary: The Buried Mirror
Review: Don't use this book to cram the night before the test. Savor it like a fine wine that grows mellower as the evening progresses. Each chapter opens up a whole new world, even if you thought that you already knew all about that subject. This book will expand your horizons and broaden your knowledge, and besides, it's fun to read, like a great mystery!

Rating:
Summary: should be ten stars!
Review: Don't use this book to cram the night before the test. Savor it like a fine wine that grows mellower as the evening progresses. Each chapter opens up a whole new world, even if you thought that you already knew all about that subject. This book will expand your horizons and broaden your knowledge, and besides, it's fun to read, like a great mystery!

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, Informative, Comrehensive, Accurate History
Review: Its a shame more exceptional fiction authors don't take the time to research and publish historical accounts. If the results were as good as Fuentes', many more people would take the time to read it. Ideal for both scholars and anyone looking for an excellent read. Fuentes outlines the progression of Spanish culture from Europe to the New World and the devastating impact it had on the civilizations already living their. While clearly detailing the inherent evil in the actions of the Spanish and English in the New World, Fuentes moves the reader through the evolution of political, societal and cultural development, illustrating the way in which separate cultures evolved into a rich fabric, albeit painfully. Fuentes objectively writes history neither indicting nor rewarding, rather recounting historical occurence and its impact on today's South, Central, and North American peoples as well as the Spanish.

Rating:
Summary: Magnificent!
Review: This book is absolutely spellbinding and captivating in it's presentation that is both an excellent narrative and artistic with imagery to further enhance the experience. The editorial review here at Amazon by Kirkus Reviews is a good synopsis to get a good idea about the books contents. Also there are many sample pages available for your perusal. From a readers perspective this book is one to cherish after the reading experience is over. Carlos Fuentes presents the subject of Spain and it's influence on the new world with clarity and makes his points with the precision of a sugeon, clean and accurate. Beginning with the ancient imagery of the bull found in caves in Spain Fuentes begins his analysis showing how this imagery continues in the arts and culture in such diverse domains as the works of Goya and Picasso, advertisements for brandy and of course the Spanish spectacle of bullfighting. He picks and chooses his historical path, weaving through the centuries concluding with the the growth of Hispanic USA. The book is full oh historical facts, little known bits of information abound as Fuentes draws analogies that stimulate the mind, stimulating the reader to conclude further inferences. The book reminds me of Bronowski's "The Ascent of Man" only on a smaller scope, from a perspective that makes connections between Spain and Latin America as oppossed to the whole of humanity. The "mother" countries influence is expounded upon as only Fuentes can, his use of language is powerful, insightful and revealing all the while showing his keen intelligence and sharp eye for details. The accompanying artwork throughout the book is fantastic and helps the reader to further understand the subject. A moving narrative is delivered by Fuentes and I highly suggest this book to anyone interested in the history of Spain and it's long lasting influence in the Americas. A natural outcome of reading this book is to further explore one of the many topics introduced. Included is a complete lineage of Spanish succession detailing the various ruling families and marriages that created the kings and queens of Spain. Aslo there is an outstanding suggested bibliography. This is a superb book that stimulates the mind while you read and beyond.

Rating:
Summary: Magnificent!
Review: This book is absolutely spellbinding and captivating in it's presentation that is both an excellent narrative and artistic with imagery to further enhance the experience. The editorial review here at Amazon by Kirkus Reviews is a good synopsis to get a good idea about the books contents. Also there are many sample pages available for your perusal. From a readers perspective this book is one to cherish after the reading experience is over. Carlos Fuentes presents the subject of Spain and it's influence on the new world with clarity and makes his points with the precision of a sugeon, clean and accurate. Beginning with the ancient imagery of the bull found in caves in Spain Fuentes begins his analysis showing how this imagery continues in the arts and culture in such diverse domains as the works of Goya and Picasso, advertisements for brandy and of course the Spanish spectacle of bullfighting. He picks and chooses his historical path, weaving through the centuries concluding with the the growth of Hispanic USA. The book is full oh historical facts, little known bits of information abound as Fuentes draws analogies that stimulate the mind, stimulating the reader to conclude further inferences. The book reminds me of Bronowski's "The Ascent of Man" only on a smaller scope, from a perspective that makes connections between Spain and Latin America as oppossed to the whole of humanity. The "mother" countries influence is expounded upon as only Fuentes can, his use of language is powerful, insightful and revealing all the while showing his keen intelligence and sharp eye for details. The accompanying artwork throughout the book is fantastic and helps the reader to further understand the subject. A moving narrative is delivered by Fuentes and I highly suggest this book to anyone interested in the history of Spain and it's long lasting influence in the Americas. A natural outcome of reading this book is to further explore one of the many topics introduced. Included is a complete lineage of Spanish succession detailing the various ruling families and marriages that created the kings and queens of Spain. Aslo there is an outstanding suggested bibliography. This is a superb book that stimulates the mind while you read and beyond.

Rating:
Summary: The Buried Mirror
Review: This book is good for readers who are interested in Hispanic culture but don't know where to start looking for information. Carlos Fuentes introduces Latin America poetically and simply.

Rating:
Summary: A great read for anyone interested in Spanish culture
Review: This is by far the best book I have encountered that deals with Spanish and Latin American culture. Fuentes is at once poetic and historically fluente. The book moves smoothly, and the subjects with which it deals (which may be made boring by a less skilled writer) always hold the reader's attention. It's better written in Spanish, but the translation is pretty good too. If you like any of Fuentes' other works, or are simply interested in Hispanic culrture and philosphy, buy this one.