Peer Review of  When I was Puerto Rican
929605
The novel When I was Puerto Rican written by Esmeralda Santiago is about a girl named Esmeralda and the changes that happened in her life.  She does not only change physically, but she changes mentally as well.  The novel talks about how Esmeralda's life changes when she comes to the United States.  She has to adapt to too many accustoms that she is not used to.  The novel also mentions a lot about her family and many problems that they have.

 The novel took me about two weeks to read.  It was not very difficult at all.  It only had a few words that I did not understand.  There were words like "guava" which is a kind of fruit from Puerto Rico.  The novel was recommended to me by a friend.  If I would have to rate, the book I would give it a seven.  The book was very detailed, so if you do not like many details then I do not recommend you to read this novel.  Frankly, I do not like novels that are very detailed, but this novel was still interesting.  It is not the best novel for me but it was good.  I learned many good lessons for life.  One of the many lessons that I learned is to appreciate what your parents do for you because even though it may not seem like the best thing your parents have worked hard to get it for you.
1518858
La Charca is probably one of the best books written by a Puerto Rican while Puerto Rico was under Spanish rule.  If you know the history of Puerto Rico, you'd have a better understanding.  The translation and introduction given by the editor Kal Wagenheim is fantastic.  It's a story about love, poverty, social issues, murder and deception.  It's an easy read.  I recommend it highly especially if you love Puerto Rican culture.
2053199
Comence la U. en Estados Unidos, en NY, en 1959. Siento respeto por mis maestros en matematicas, humanidades el de ingles y el de literaura comparada.

Pero el de historia y el "ciencias politicas" me parecieron deshonestos desde el comienzo. Lo senti antes de tener pruebas. Esos errors, repetidos en la academia, hicieron possible la Guerra de Vietnam y la falta de un verdadero debate... also que seal el Sen. Morse en aquella epoca.

No. Henry Steele Commager  (mi libro de historia de EEUU) miente. Las ideas de la Revolucion Americana no vienen de John Locke. Locke fue un apologista pagado de la CIA de Indias Orientalles ("CIO"), cuyo negocio era el trafico de esclavos.  Por eso, la frees de Locke, "la vida, la libertad y la propiedad" (o sea, esclavos) es enfrentada en la Declaracion de Independencia con: "la vida, la libertad y el derecho de buscar la felicidad". La ultima es de Leibniz.

Leibniz es el verdadero fundador del calculo int. y diferencial, que se atribuye a Newton. El primer libro de calc. int. y dif. aparecio en Inglaterra en 1815. Era ta traduccion de la obra de Sylvestre Lacroix. Newton tenia 100 aos de estar muerto. Con mentiras asi, se vuelve imposible tener concepto claros del origen de Estados Unidos. Tal origen fue una alianza republican internacional, cuyo centro fue Leibniz.

Rusia fue declarado "enemigo" despues de la 2da Guerra. Porque? Porque habia que crear divisions y deshacer las alianzas de EEUU. Claro, fue Churchill el que busco deshacer tales alianzas.

Luego, en 1901, nacio una alianza con U.K. Esta alianza esta prohibida en la Declaracion de Independencia. Vno la I Guerra Mundial. U.K., buscaba terminar con un proyecto ferroviario para toda Eurasia. Wilson, Pres.de EEUU y aliado de U.K., estaba obsesionado con el Ku Klux Klan ("KKK"), que era: terrorismo contra las personas de color.. KKK fue lo que quedo de los rebeldes (Conferedates). Wilson, que habia sido rector de Princeton University (una de las mas caras), tenia esa obsession; como el KKK, solamente piensan en las gentes de color. Pero, U.K. pensaba en otra cosa: en destruior un concepto que se remonta a Carlomagno, en el siglo IX.... transporte en Eurasia... etc.  Esa alianza nos ha matado a todos. La paralisis que vemos en Europa, la falta de debates verdaderos en EEUU sobre relaciones internacionales y la salida de la crisis que ya se percibe... todo esto es de esa alianza, illegal, que se remonta a 1901  ... Kennedy deseo terminarla... etc. Salud.. JL
4283665
Outstanding revelation of the true History of Puerto Rico...riveting and emotional, thoroughly didactic! A chapter left out of most American History classes in the USA.
4334729
It is always a great  satisfaction and a releif in Academic life to sincerely acknowledge the contributions of a new generation of professionals to the field we share. Reniel Ramos is already an outstanding member of the new breed of native archaeologists in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean comming with new theories, techniques and always needed critical assesment of the work done earlier. This book is an example of what he has already been doing during the past years. The very complex historical development of precolumbian people in the region is just surfacing and tackling with the rather simplistic and dogmative interpretations of the past. For this new generation there are no barriers for the sharing of knowledge and opinions, like language and preparation did in the past. Ramos work is a contribution not only to Caribbean archaeology but to the rest of the world also.
3174193
I enjoyed this book very much. MR. Rosado is a caterer & he pre sented in his book elegant & versatile versions of our native recipes. He has the advantage of knowing the american palate better than us in PR, therefore he adapted our recipes to contain an international flair & a decided cosmopolitan taste. That is not bad because the essence of the recipe is preserved. I also enjoyed the historical facts presented. It is a valuable addition to any Puerto Rican Cooking Library.
2184158
I enjoyed reading this book. I can relate to some of the author's personal experiences in the island. This book is describing what generally goes on Puerto Rico everyday. The loss of compassion and the capacity to better the island is exactly that LOST. No use of hiding the truth. It will never get better until the people stop pointing fingers (like always).
2980449
That is how I felt when I read this book. She has a sense of humor and is very inspiring. I will say that you will not be dissapointed with this book. This is a book that everyone should read, not only Puerto Ricans.
3798824
The Puerto Rican cookery "bible!"  A must have; contains many traditional recipes ~ invaluable!  Brings to mind days spent in abuelita's kitchen :).
4612047
When I was a grad student in the 70's and 80's I used to read some of this book before going to bed.  It is full of short articles much like you can find on the internet these days.  In taking this off my book shelf I see that I have a band-aid marking my place from last time I read it.  The place that I marked is the section entitled "People Who Became Words."  Among the entries are Dr. Joseph Ignace Guillotin, Rudolf Diesel, Etienne de Silhouette, Saint Pantaleon, John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, and Captain Charles C. Boycott.

Also in this book is an account of Sigmund Freud's 1909 visit to America, U.S.A. Year by Year 1770-1975, World Nations and Peoples, World History--Eyewitness reports, Television 1925-1975, Wills of various famous people, and a map showing the course of "Truelove River."
2896002
Good theme and excelent author Territorial case of Puerto Rico
Treaty of paris not null ab initio abd insular cases
1674827
Le este clsico de la literatura en la escuela cuando era un adolescente. Ahora doy gracias a amazon por ponerlo disponible en espaol. Esta versin s tiene las ilustraciones y record la enternecedora historia una vez ms.
4385030
A Decent Woman took me to my ancestral past. It was as if I could finally experience the world my great-grandmother had described when she was a young midwife in another town in Puerto Rico. Ms Sapia Parker's description of what life was like at the turn if the century (1898 _ early 1900s) created a world I had only known thru stories and a recent visit to Ponce. This is a must read!
289358
The Rape Of Puerto Rico was informative. The information was short and to the point. I know now why Puerto Rico is in the shape its in. It's a quick crash course that bring you up to speed.
504653
As a Puerto Rican, it was quite a treat to see historical landmarks the way they were and then compared to their present state. I loved the photos and the journey they have inspired! Now I plan weekends to see and compare some of the sites in the books that are not in my hometown. A must for those who love history, architecture and Puerto Rico. This book is also good if you are taking a history of Puerto Rico class as it will make history more real and will help in visualizing the social-political context of the events you'll be studying.
2246325
Its actually a thrill to personally know the author of a book or magazine article Ive read, no matter the subject.  In my job I review/critique technical/engineering reports, even many prepared by friends in my profession.  I always say Its business, nothing personal, as they do likewise.  However, for me its not that easy to publically comment or criticize on a friends personal work.  Fortunately, after reading August Murder over a period of weeks, often re-reading prior chapters (guys, Im overloaded at work!...I shouldve retired years ago), I can say great job, Tito!

 As a history buff, especially Puerto Rican, and having lived through the Cerro Maravilla case in Puerto Rico...with constant bombarding of daily news stories and continuous television coverage (before internet, tweets, facebook, etc.), as I read through I would be constantly thinking of parallels with the aforementioned case.  Thats where my perspective and critique is biased compared to readers who have no knowledge of the Cerro Maravilla case (Its a long and sad tale, and difficult to forget).  There are similarities, but not enough that keeps August Murder from standing alone on its merits. The plot concentrates on the aftermath of the incidents that led to the young mens deaths, with a grieving but determined father searching for answers and justice as to why and who regarding his sons execution.  Just when I thought I had nailed the culprit, the story abruptly leads me away to an unexpected twist in the plot.

The interactions, and sometimes lack thereof, of the involved local and federal agencies, ring true with respect to Puerto Rico.  Bad cops on all levels of command are not rare in Puerto Rico and not all necessarily locals (Colonel Elisha Francis Riggs, look him up).

The book is a good read, with a nice flow of events, although in some circumstances I felt that a bit of more info wouldve been nice.  I really enjoyed Titos descriptions of the Islands historical and cultural aspects usually linked to the travels of the investigating group around the Island.  This resonated personally with me since during my many years living and working in PR, I drove throughout a significant portion of the Island, many recognizable in the book.  Loved the informative trivia and descriptions of the not too distant past life in Puerto Rico, such as a nostalgic night at the Town of Morovis Plaza.

Thank you, Tito, for an excellent novel.  Hope to read more of your future books.

P.S. For clarification, I had to buy the book.  No freebie review here.
2552959
I grew up in the lower east side around the same time as Dalton.  The Baruch projects was my home from birth to age 27.  I was able to enjoy this book at three levels.  One, is was a validation of my experiences.  I was a nuyorican nerd who felt like I belonged and didn't belong.  I believe Dalton had that feeling as well.  I also thought the book indirectly educated people about identity; although white, Dalton was one of us, a lower east sider.  Lastly, I enjoyed it as an american story.  Alot of people made it out of there and did well.

My only criticisms have to do with some of the time-lines.  They don't match my memory (e.g., drugstore hostage dates may be off.  Stuff like that was memorable because it was rare).  I also wished that Dalton would have addressed issues around racial identity of the the people in the Lower East Side. Puerto Ricans adopted alot of african-american ways.  Also, there were white puerto ricans who had some of the advantages that Dalton could have-Albert Ortega, Ph. D.