Scorching novel from a star of Cuban fiction. The fourth of the Havana Quartet series.

A city of tropical heat, ramshackle beauty, and its very own cadence--a city that always surprises--Havana is brought to pulsing life by New York Times bestselling author Mark Kurlansky. Award-winning author Mark Kurlansky presents an insider's view of Havana: the elegant, tattered city he has come to know over more than thirty years. Part cultural history, part travelogue, with recipes, historic engravings, photographs, and Kurlansky's own pen-and-ink drawings throughout, Havana celebrates the city's singular music, literature, baseball, and food; its five centuries of outstanding, neglected architecture; and its extraordinary blend of cultures. Like all great cities, Havana has a rich history that informs the vibrant place it is today--from the native Taino to Columbus's landing, from Cuba's status as a U.S. protectorate to Batista's dictatorship and Castro's revolution, from Soviet presence to the welcoming of capitalist tourism. Havana is a place of extremes: a beautifully restored colonial city whose cobblestone streets pass through areas that have not been painted or repaired since long before the revolution. Kurlansky shows Havana through the eyes of Cuban writers, such as Alejo Carpentier and José Martí, and foreigners, including Graham Greene and Hemingway. He introduces us to Cuban baseball and its highly opinionated fans; the city's music scene, alive with the rhythm of son; its culinary legacy. Through Mark Kurlansky's multilayered and electrifying portrait, the long-elusive city of Havana comes stirringly to life.

From its historic forts to its lushly tropical courtyards, from the city squares to the statues and fountains, take a captivating tour through the city of Havana. Magnificent color photographs capture the well-known spots and uncover the quiet corners; vintage black-and-white images showcase the important explorers who changed the course of Cuba's development, as well as landmarks of the past. A fascinating history traces life in Havana from the early 16th century to its heyday in the 19th . Information for the traveler guides the would-be tourist to this newly "in" holiday destination, made popular by the mainstream success of films and music, including the Buena Vista Social Club. It's a lovely tribute to the most extravagantly beautiful city in the Caribbean.

Scorching novel from a star of Cuban fiction. The fourth of the Havana Quartet series.

Alfredo José Estrada's intimate ties to Havana form the basis for this "autobiography," written as though from the city's own heart. Covering the island's five hundred year history, Estrada portrays the adventurers and dreamers who left their mark on Havana, including José Martí, martyr for Cuban independence; and Ernest Hemingway, the most American of writers who became an unabashed Habanero. Deeply personal and affecting, Havana is the accessible and complete story of the city for the history buff and armchair traveler alike.

From trading recipes with the bad boys of American beer to drinking Czech-Mex cerveza in Tijuana and hanging out in the beer gardens of Africa, Charlie Papazian has seen, and tasted, it all. Microbrewed Adventures is your shotgun seat to unique, eccentric and pioneering craft-brews and the fascinating people who create them. Travel with Charlie as he crisscrosses America and circles the globe in search of the most flavor-packed beers. Along with discovering the master brews of Bavaria, secret recipes for mead and the traditional beers of Zimbabwe, you will find lessons on proper beer tasting and read interviews with American master brewers including those of Dogfish Head, Magic Hat, Rogue Ales, Stone Brewing and Brooklyn Brewery. Charlie also includes special homebrew recipes inspired by the innovative brewers who are making some the best beer in the world.

Brian Unrolls His Mat is a collection of short stories that includes rewrites of old stories with an attempt to mitigate their sexist content. It also has some new stories, which are again trying to avoid sexism, despite being written by a man.