Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Leo Mahon
Fire under my Feet: A Memoir of God's Power in Panama
. The moving story
of a compassionate Roman Catholic priest sent in 1963 to a poverty-stricken town in Panama
to found a church.
Martin Mitchinson
The Darien Gap: Travels in the Rainforest of Panama
. An entertaining
account of eighteen months spent in the trackless jungle trying to retrace the route to the Pa-
cific made by the first European, Balboa, in 1513. It's a successful blend of personal experi-
ence, history and local lore.
Manuel Noriega and Peter Eisner
America's Prisoner: The Memoirs of Manuel Noriega
.
The other side of the story of a leader who was vilified, arrested and put on trial by America.
A controversial book, it is worth reading for its revelations about the American attitude to
Panama and Latin America.
WILDLIFE
George Angehr, Dodge Engleman and Lorna Engleman
A Bird-finding Guide to Panama
.
You need to read the title carefully - this excellent, detailed guide tells you where to find the
birds and how to get there by car, but is not a bird identification manual. Details updated on
the web at
audubonpanama.org
.
Juan Carlos Q. Navarro
Panama National Parks
(Ediciones Balboa). Bilingual Spanish/
English guide to Panama's national parks accompanied by gorgeous glossy photos that will
make you want to pack your rucksack and head for the hills immediately. The information is
also on the ANAM website.
Rainforest Publications
Panama Field Guides
(numerous titles). This company has pro-
duced an excellent series of illustrated laminated concertina-style pocket field guide pamph-
lets on Panama's flora and fauna, giving scientific, Spanish and English names. Available in
Panama or online (
rainforestpublications.com
).
Robert Ridgely and John Gwynne
A Guide to the Birds of Panama
. This weighty tome is
the
birding bible for Panama although it's in desperate need of updating.
Jorge Ventocilla and Dana Gardner
A Guide to the Common Birds of Panama City
(Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute & Panama Audubon Society). Excellent, beauti-
fully illustrated pocket book aimed at the average nature-lover - perfect for anyone basing
their stay in the capital and wanting to identify the city's surprisingly abundant birdlife.
