Books with author Sean McDaniel

In the 1980s Lebanon-and particularly its capital, Beirut-was considered one of the most dangerous places in the world, particularly for Americans. Today, as the country continues to rebuild after its devastating 15-year civil war, tourists are beginning to return to Lebanon's Mediterranean resorts. Yet Lebanon has many problems. Years of political domination by Syria made progress difficult, and various political factions have struggled for control of Lebanon's government. In addition, more than 380,000 Palestinians live in Lebanon, and terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas operate freely inside the country. As a result, Lebanon's future remains uncertain. Discusses the geography, history, economy, government, religion, people, foreign relations, and major cities of Lebanon.

The Mexican cuisine of today originated thousands of years ago. The ancient Olmec and Mayan civilizations domesticated maize, beans, and chili peppers and developed the flatbread cakes known as tortillas. The Aztecs expanded the Mexican diet with other meats, fruits, and vegetables. As Spanish explorers conquered and colonized Mexico, European cooks introduced new ingredients, such as rice, wheat flour, and the meat of domestic animals like pigs, chickens, and cows. They also brought previously unknown methods of preparing food, such as frying. Today, Mexican cuisine is extremely popular far beyond the borders of the nation, and in 2010, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Mexican cuisine to be an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.