America's Backyard


Book Description

The United States has shaped Latin American history, condemning it to poverty and inequality by intervening to protect the rich and powerful. America’s Backyard tells the story of that intervention. Using newly declassified documents, Grace Livingstone reveals the US role in the darkest periods of Latin American history, including Pinochet’s coup in Chile, the Contra War in Nicaragua and the death squads in El Salvador. She shows how George W Bush’s administration used the War on Terror as a new pretext for intervention; how it tried to destabilise leftwing governments and push back the ‘pink tide’ washing across the Americas. America’s Backyard also includes chapters on drugs, economy and culture. It explains why US drug policy has caused widespread environmental damage yet failed to reduce the supply of cocaine, and it looks at the US economic stake in Latin America and the strategies of the big corporations. Today Latin Americans are demanding respect and an end to the Washington Consensus. Will the White House listen?




Our Own Backyard


Book Description

In this remarkable and engaging book, William LeoGrande offers the first comprehensive history of U.S. foreign policy toward Central America in the waning years of the Cold War. From the overthrow of the Somoza dynasty in Nicaragua and the outbreak of El Salvador's civil war in the late 1970s to the final regional peace settlements negotiated a decade later, he chronicles the dramatic struggles--in Washington and Central America--that shaped the region's destiny. For good or ill, LeoGrande argues, Central America's fate hinged on decisions that were subject to intense struggles among, and within, Congress, the CIA, the Pentagon, the State Department, and the White House--decisions over which Central Americans themselves had little influence. Like the domestic turmoil unleashed by Vietnam, he says, the struggle over Central America was so divisive that it damaged the fabric of democratic politics at home. It inflamed the tug-of-war between Congress and the executive branch over control of foreign policy and ultimately led to the Iran-contra affair, the nation's most serious political crisis since Watergate.




American Backyard


Book Description

"Along with artist and critic Genevieve Allison, Ross set out in February 2017 on a five-month journey to travel the length of the border, taking photos and collecting stories along the way"--Daily Beast article by Evan Siegel from 3/30/19.




The Bees in Your Backyard


Book Description

An introduction to the roughly 4000 different bee species found in the United States and Canada, dispelling common myths about bees while offering essential tips for telling them apart in the field




Water-wise Gardening


Book Description

In an elegantly written book, the author of In Search of Lost Roses examines how water shortages and environmental concerns are prompting a remarkable solution--the emergence of low-water gardening, one of the newest, most creative areas in gardening today. Color photos.




America's Favorite Backyard Birds


Book Description

From Simon & Schuster, America's Favorite Backyard Birds is Kit and George Harrison's inside look at the little-known and fascinating personal lives of our best-loved backyard birds. With an intro by Roger Tory Peterson, America's Favorite Backyard Birds describes the characteristics and behavior of ten common species of birds, including the robin, cardinal, blue jay, and mockingbird.




Why Cuba Matters


Book Description

As an eyewitness to Fidel Castro’s rise to power in Cuba and other key episodes, Néstor T. Carbonell sheds new light on how the ruler and his allies deceived and subjugated the Cuban people and defied twelve U.S. presidents. Just as important – if not more so – he reveals how the regime continues to pose a serious threat to the United States in collusion with Russia, China, and Venezuela. The author draws on declassified documents and reliable unpublished testimonies, as well as personal experiences, to delve into the Communist takeover of Cuba, which he denounced while on the island. He ponders the causes and consequences of the botched Bay of Pigs operation, which he joined as a refugee. From the battle to expel the Castro regime from the Organization of American States, which Carbonell helped achieve, to the Congressional Joint Resolution on Cuba, which he tenaciously pursued; from the looming Missile Crisis, which the author persistently flagged, to the myriad subversive activities he warned against and condemned, Néstor T. Carbonell debunks the myths and fallacies surrounding the longest-running subversive tyranny in modern times. Join the author as he shares a critical analysis of the Castro-Communist regime and explores the challenges and opportunities that will likely arise when freedom finally dawns in Cuba.




Backyard Birds


Book Description

Describes the physical characteristics, behavior, voices, and habitats of a variety of common birds, arranged by their color. Includes the Peterson System of identifying birds by their unique markings.




The Backyard Birdsong Guide


Book Description

Teaches about the habitat, behaviors, appearance, and songs of seventy-five Eastern and Central North American birds, and includes basic birdwatching guidelines and audio samples.




Backyard Nature Coloring Book


Book Description

Wild animals in our midst come to life in this unique, carefully rendered coloring book. Forty-two detailed black-and-white illustrations depict a garter snake, Virginia deer, garden spider, Japanese beetles, chickadees, raccoons, honeybees, cardinals, squirrels, and many more. 5 color illustrations on covers. Captions.