Books in World of Music series

A musical instrument that has played a vital role in Latin American music cultures―the harp―is the subject of this new work, the first study of its kind to be published in English. John Schechter presents a history of the harp in Spain, traces its introduction into colonial Latin America, and describes its modern roles in the diverse cultural centers of Mexico, Paraguay-Argentina-chile, Venezuela, and Peru. He then turns his focus to his own field research in the Quichua culture of northern highland Ecuador, an area that has receive considerably less scholarly attention than many of its Latin American neighbors. The reader will meet a community of harp maistrus on the slopes of Mt. Cotacachi and become familiar with their culture, their particular instrument and its tuning, and their performance practices. Numerous photographs, musical transcriptions, and diagrams illustrate and enliven the text. The Indispensable Harp is unique for its integration of aspects of music and cultural history, organology, and performance practice, treating in considerable depth both broadly established music-ethnographical practices. It speaks to the conclusion that the vital role of the harp in Latin American music history has now been properly acknowledged and documented.

Expanding children's natural curiosity about the world, this engaging series introduces kids to the power of imagination. Fascinating details on the life of mermaids—from the first swimming lesson to classes in hair decoration, jewelry making, and shell identification—and beautiful color illustrations with a touch of sparkle make this manual perfect for all would-be mermaids.

Have you ever thought about what might be happening beneath your feet?Do you stop to think that there may be a whole amazing world of activity going on down there?This book gives you the opportunity to find out just how many different ways people have used the earth, from prehistory to the present day. Discover how and why they have explored it, mined it, lived in it, fought from it and traveled through it. Look beneath the cover to find out how medieval soldiers ‘undermined’ their enemies and to explore what lies beneath New York City’s 500,000 manhole covers.