By Matthew Parker EXCERPT - CHAPTER ONE - "THE KEYS TO THE UNIVERSE" - What had motivated the voyages that led to the discovery of the New World was exactly what the Panama Canal would eventually deliver—a through passage to the East. On his fourth voyage, in 1502, Columbus, by then embittered and sickly, sailed all along Panama's northern coast, obsessively searching every tiny cove for a "hidden strait." At one point he anchored in Limón, or "Navy," Bay, now the Atlantic terminus of the canal. Even after Columbus's failure to find an open passage to the East, the idea died hard. In 1507, the first map ever printed of the New World optimistically showed an open strait about where the Isthmus of Panama is located. (more)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - A good friend of mine Alfredo Bocanegra launched his new magazine "Madame Blanche" last night in a coming out party in Koopas. Alfredo is one of the best and most accomplished photographers in Panama. The magazine covers both local and international musicians and artists. For example the first issue of the magazine covers the "roots of Panamanian rock." Alfredo is a character, a great guy, a very talented photographer, good drummer, and usually the guy singing along to Pink Floyd fearlessly and at full volume. I wish him, his crew, and his magazine all the best. Photos from the launch follow (hot model alert...)

By Lehisy Domínguez for El Siglo - Next week a new magazine called "Madame Blanche" will be launching in Panama. The magazine will cover the music and art scene in Panama, will be directed at readers between 20 and 40 years of age, and will cover, promote, and emphasize local talent as well as international artists. The team working on the magazine is formed by established and accomplished professionals such as María Ruth Sánchez (La Prensa), Raúl Altamar (Blank), Pilar Cáceres (Much Music), Juanita Jaramillo (MTV Latino), Anastasio Puertas (Billboard). The chief editor is Fabricio Mejía (Rolling Stone) and the Director of the magazine is Alfredo Bocanegra, one of the most recognized and accomplished photographers in the country and the person responsible for establishing the high artistic level the magazine displays. The magazine will be offered for sale in pharmacies and stores throughout the country. There will be an official launch party at 6:00 pm at Koopas on 9 April.

Reviewed by Tim Rutten, Los Angeles Times - Most Americans' knowledge of the Panama Canal was acquired in a haze of junior high school history -- somewhere alongside "trust busting" and the "bully pulpit" in the unit on Teddy Roosevelt and turn-of-the-century American confidence. There was a spasm of interest in the canal 31 years ago, when the United States agreed to turn it -- along with the surrounding territory -- over to Panama, and also a flicker of notice in 1999 when the actual handover occurred. Beyond that, it's been pretty much out of sight, out of mind -- except on the political fringes, where some have tried to argue that Sen. John McCain's birth in the Canal Zone disqualifies him from seeking the presidency. (more)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - This week I learned that the "Expat Center" which has been operating on Calle D in El Cangrejo for the past two years or so will be closing. The short answer is that the guys who were paying the bills both need the space, and can no longer afford to pay for the non-profit Expat Center at cost. As a result there are literally thousands of books in the book swap now available to a good home. Anyone can come and take away as many books as they want, and they just ask you not to bring them back. So, if there is anyone out there who has the space and the inclination, there is a completely stocked book-swap looking for a good home. Bagel Bakery, maybe? John has the room...

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

By Nicholas L. Dean for the Post-Journal - Panama Native Clair Saeger’s original story ‘‘Happy With Nothing’’ is included in the recently-published book, ‘‘Chicken Soup For The Teen Soul.’’ Clair Saeger usually writes stories for her family, but it was a story about her mother which got the Panama native published. In her junior year of high school, the current college senior entered a contest being held by Teen Ink magazine. Now, some years after having had her essay printed in the magazine, Saeger’s story, ‘‘Happy With Nothing,’’ has been included in ‘‘Chicken Soup For The Teen Soul.’’ A new book in the ‘‘Chicken Soup For The Soul’’ series, the teen-themed compilation collects ‘‘real life stories by real life teens.’’ Tackling topics like change, challenge, loss and other issues facing teens, the book shows readers they are not alone through its friendly peer-to-peer style. (more)

LUSK, Wyo., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- An explosive mixture of international intrigue and danger and the cover-up that followed, "Panama: Echoes From A Revolution" (published by AuthorHouse - http://www.authorhouse.com) travels back to the late 1970s to tell the true story of the invasion of Panama by privately funded U.S. citizens. Author Thomas James Bleming should know. He was there. Reviewers have been blown away by this true action-thriller: "A real life Jason Bourne," writes David Mirhadi, Casper Star Tribune. "The characters, places, conditions and treatment that Bleming describes would be suitable for a Hollywood movie," writes Alan B. Johnson, U.S. District Judge, Cheyenne, Wyo. (more)

Fox News.com - GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST: First twin daughter, Jenna Bush, worked for UNICEF in Latin America and met with children and young adults living with HIV and AIDS. She says it's a life changing experience, so much so that she has now written a book "Ana's Story." Now this book might be a real eye opener for many. We spoke with Jenna Bush earlier today after she met with students at the SEED Charter Schools in Washington. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) VAN SUSTEREN: Jenna, a brand-new book, "Ana's story." Whose idea was it to write it? JENNA BUSH: Mine. My job with UNICEF was to meet with different kids who were living in exclusion, which means they are living in an extreme poverty or living with HIV/AIDS, or living in homes with abuse. (more)

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG - WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 — Just a few short years ago, she was a party-loving college girl, sticking her tongue out in view of photographers and giving her parents heartburn. Now Jenna Bush, 25, is sporting a diamond-and-sapphire ring, engaged to be married — though probably not at the White House, her mother says — and heading out on a book tour. America is meeting this new, grown-up Jenna — twin sister of Barbara, daughter of George W. and Laura — this weekend with the publication of her book, “Ana’s Story.” It is a chronicle of Ana, 17, an H.I.V.-positive single mother in Panama whom Ms. Bush encountered while an intern there for Unicef, the international children’s advocacy group. (more)

By Sam Carchidi for the Philadelphia Inquirer - From leafy Haddonfield to the tough streets of Panama. Yes, it's been quite a journey for teacher-turned-author Christian Giudice. For that, readers of his first book should be grateful. Giudice (pronounced Jude-uh-jay) has written a fascinating, exhaustively researched biography called Hands of Stone: The Life and Legend of Roberto Duran. Duran, a colorful boxing legend who once knocked out a horse with one punch, held world titles at four weight classes and is the only man to have fought in five decades. (more)

Last week the restorer of the National Theatre of Panama and the author of the book "Paris in Panama." Professor Anton Rajer, the worlds foremost authority on the works of Panamanian artist Roberto Lewis, presented a lecture on the recently inaugurated exhibit of Lewis' work at Panama's Museum of Contemporary Art in Ancon. The author signed his limited and numbered edition of "Paris in Panama" - "Paris in Panama is an inspiring bilingual book documenting my country's art and history. It brings alive an important and lost chapter in Latin America's artistic heritage and focuses on the need to preserve and restore it."—Carmen Aleman Healy, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Panama

By Ramon Huang and Luis Huang - Panama City, May 6 (CNA) A community library in the Panamanian township of La Conga, constructed using donations from the Republic of China (ROC) government, was formally inaugurated Saturday to upgrade Panamanian school children's educational quality. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Taiwanese Ambassador to Panama Hou Ping-fu said that as there are no libraries at Panama's remote schools, the Taiwan government decided to make donations to help build the library at the request of FUNDACUNA, a local non-profit organization. Taiwan is also planning, in the near future, to donate computers to Panama's elementary schools in remote areas as part of its efforts to help improve the quality of education in the Central American country, Hou said. Coinciding with the inauguration of the library, FUNDACUNA also distributed a shipment of clothing and footwear donated by Taiwan to the disadvantaged in La Conga. Taiwan donated a total of 76 containers of clothing and footwear to Panama last year. FUNDACUNA Chairman Edith Roqueber told CNA that the organization has received funds from the ROC government to help build six community libraries, and that so far three libraries have been inaugurated.

By Michael White (Bloomberg) -- News Corp.'s HarperCollins publishing business acquired rights to a book written by Jenna Bush, daughter of President George W. Bush. ``Ana's Story: A Journey of Hope'' is based on Jenna Bush's experiences working with Unicef in Central America, HarperCollins said today in a statement. The book will focus on a 17-year-old single mother who has the virus that causes AIDS. Bush, 25, was inspired to write the book while documenting stories of young people living in poverty, said Lisa Szarkowski, a spokeswoman for Unicef, also known as the United Nations Children's Fund. Bush traveled to Argentina, Paraguay and Panama to help prepare personal narratives and create photo diaries of children and adolescents for Unicef. The book ``was not something that was planned,'' Szarkowski said in an interview. ``It came as a result of Jenna immersing herself in her role as a Unicef staffer. She was completely inspired by the kids she was meeting, especially `Ana.'''

It looks like I'm going to be spending more time at the Expat Center. I stopped by the other day and the book exchange is growing nicely thanks to the generous donations from the members of the community. This has become my official library, and I just wish I had the time to enjoy more recreational reading. In any case, if you have good used books laying around the house, this is the best way to make a donation back to the community and to find some new good stuff to read. Salud.

Author Kurt Muse was on C-Span last Saturday in Florida, talking about his book "Six Minutes to Freedom," the story of his rescue from Panama's Modelo prison by US Delta Forces during the invasion of Panama in 1989. This video clip shows the entire program as it aired on C-Span. "Description: Kurt Muse talks about his rescue by the U.S. Army's Delta Force. He chronicles how he defied Panama's dictator, Manuel Noriega, by broadcasting on an underground radio station, encouraging civil resistance. Eventually, Kurt Muse was caught and arrested by Noriega’s forces. As the only American civilian imprisoned for months in Panama’s Modelo Prison, he describes the torture he witnessed and recounts his rescue by Delta Force. The Panama Canal Museum in Seminole, Florida hosted this event. Author Bio: Kurt Muse is a descendant of Revolutionary War veterans. Mr. Muse lived in the U.S. and Cuba before starting a printing and graphic arts business in Panama. John Gilstrap, coauthor of "Six Minutes to Freedom," is also the author of "Scott Free," " Even Steven," "At All Costs," and "Nathan's Run." Publisher: CITADEL PRESS 850 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022

Tonight (Sunday) night at 10:00 PM ET, C-Span will be showing a talk by Kurt Muse about his book, Six Minutes to Freedom. The talk was taped at the Panama Canal Museum on August 1. Kurt talks about his rescue by the U.S. Army's Delta Force. He chronicles how he defied Panama's dictator, Manuel Noriega, by broadcasting on an underground radio station, encouraging civil resistance. Eventually, Kurt was caught and arrested by Noriega's forces. As the only American civilian imprisoned for months in Panama's Modelo Prison, he describes the torture he witnessed and recounts his rescue by Delta Force. Six Minutes to Freedom is being sold through the Panama Canal Museum store and website (panamacanalmuseum.org). Autographed copies are available on a first come, first served basis. If you are like those who attended the taping at the museum, you'll have to have the book once you hear the talk! Kathy Egolf

"Bill Cosby was right, but he only told a portion of the story," Juan Williams, an author originally from Panama, writes. Referring to Cosby's assertion that the black community needs to assume personal responsibility for cultural failings rather than blame racism, he proudly touts his new book boldy entitled "Enough: The Phony Leaders, Dead-End Movements, and Culture of Failure That Are Undermining Black America -- and What We Can Do About It." Picking up "...the baton to continue the race," Juan Williams takes aim at "dead-end movements," rap music, comedic shows a la Dave Chappelle, and "phony leaders" such as Reverend Jesse Jackson, Reverend Al Sharpton and former mayors Marion Barry of Washington, DC and Sharpe James of Newark, NJ. He blames the latter for "a stifling echo chamber" of stale ideas and for building self-serving machines on the back of black empowerment. But Williams' doesn't just blame and point fingers. He also delivers an important message to young blacks: Follow a few rules and "there's almost no chance of being poor," he says. The rules? Stay in school, Stay in the work force, Don't have a baby out of wedlock, Don't get married until your 20s. Williams believes that some venues won't touch "Enough" because it violates liberal taboos. "I can't get on the morning talk shows," Williams said. "They don't want someone who is shaking up the pot, especially when it comes to debate about race in America." Surely, time will tell.

From Bob: Just a reminder that the National Library in Omar Park (San Francisco are of Panama City) has about 3,000+ books in English on their 1st floor level.... although these books are not computer cataloged in the library system, they are alphabetized by author on the shelves. A library card allows one to borrow books and it only costs a couple of bucks, a photo ID, a "carnet" size photo to laminate onto the card and a local address. There are comfortable A/C reading rooms as well if you prefer not to check out books. Also among the libraries regular collections there are many technical books in English as well, and these are computerized in the file cataloge. The English language section is easily accessed by going to the ground floor (one level down from the main entrance). There is an elevator available. Once on the ground floor, go to the help desk, and the librarian will allow you to browse the shelves at your convenience. The range of books range from older Lit. classic, Readers Digest Condensed books, fiction and non-fiction, regular hardbound and paperbacks. Many contemporary titles and authors as well... it may not be quite Barnes and Nobles or some other 200,000 volume readers paradise, but it beats a sharp stick in the eye! Pass it around , I'm sure the librarian would be tickled to see it used more! They are very proud of their renovation of the building ...so you might compliment them on same. (See: http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php?story=20060305172233945)

By Art Mokray: Just a quick note here. For those that have had the opportunity to visit the National Theater in the Casco Viejo area of Panama City and had the chance to look up at the ceiling, you may have noticed the mural and probably didn't give it much thought. Few probably know the artist was Roberto Lewis and that through the years little, if any, care was given to its preservation. The theater has had coats of paint applied, new rug installed, air conditioning installed, and countless other things to make it better and possibly in the process making it worse. Back in the 80's, the then Panama Canal Commission contracted a restoration expert to redo the murals that are painted in the Rotunda of the Administration Building after an earlier attempt, by another expert, didn't turn out as good. This restoration expert turned out to be Anton Rajer, from the University of Wisconsin, and during the restoration work, fell in love with Panama.

RAYMOND, Wash. — Anne Louise Grimm discusses her new book, “Intimate Reflections: Two Years at the Panama Canal,” at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at the Raymond Timberland Library. A reception sponsored by Raymond’s Friends of the Library will follow. The Book Store will have copies of the book for sale at the presentation. In “Intimate Reflections,” Grimm tells the stories of the employees of the Panama Canal Company, their families and the building of the Panama Canal during a two-year period from 1967 to 1969. While her husband worked at the canal, Grimm worked as a photographer and as a regular columnist for the English-language daily newspaper the Star & Herald. She also participated in a variety of service organizations and community activities, as she does today in Pacific County. For more information, call the Raymond Timberland Library at (360) 942-2408. The library is located at 507 Duryea St. in Raymond.

Everybody who knows Panama knows Pedro Prestan, don't they? The rebel who burned down Colon? But do they know the REAL story? They don't, because I'm the first guy to put together all the pieces of fact and myth to make an entirely fresh, original and honest account of a fascinating period of Panama's history, using sources that have eluded other researchers. Coming out soon from Troubadour Press: here's the link http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=306 Good reading! Andrew Parkin

The good news is that more magazines are starting to hit the market printed in the English language. And many are adopting a "bilingual" format, in which the English and Spanish text appear basically side-by-side, wrapped around the art, photos, and graphics for the story. Magazine editors and publishers are aware of the importance of the the expanding English-speaking expatriate market, and are adjusting their business models to cater the them. That's the good news. The bad news is that the people who are putting out these publications are apparently using Panamanians who have leaned English as a second language to translate the articles originally written in Spanish to English. While you can understand most of the content, the little grammatical "bumps" in the road are a distraction to the reader. Hopefully, magazine editors will begin to hire native English speakers to at least proof-read the text of the articles, to bring them up to a higher level of quality. Whiel Im dat firs guy to no that anybodi can mak some tyopz and stuff, the content of some of these articles will just cause you to break out laughing. I'm not going to mention any names, honor among publishers and all that, and I prefer to look at the positive side of things. I've contacted a handful of editors, and left them shaking their heads. The quality will pick up over time, and there will be more printed material in English for us to read. Yeah!

The book exchange at the expat center is now up and running. We have pretty good starting collection, and would like to invite everyone to help us get the book exchange started. I've already donated all of the books I own, and I suspect there are quite a few people out there who have boxes of books that have been read once and are in perfect shape. Please stop by the expat center and drop off any books you'd like to donate. We need a handful of generous donations to get the book swap started. The book swap is a free service, and a one-for-one swap. Also, please help us get the word out about the book swap. Thank you very much.

Cuban singer Gloria Estefan presented her new children's book yesterday at the National Library ‘The Magical and Mystical Adventures of a Bulldog Named Noelle" which was launched at the end of last year.  The five-times Grammy winning singer arrived in Panama accompanied by her husband, the musical producer Emilio Estefan, and her Emily daughter, as guests of the  Juan Ramon Poll Foundation.  The artist, who is making her debute as a children's book author with this release, said she is working on a series of three stories that she will publish next November.

John and Harriet Halkyard never intended to write a book about their adventures driving a motor home from South Texas to Central America. The Halkyards wrote e-mails to friends a