Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #193791 in Books
• Published on: 1998-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 307 pages

From Library Journal
Costa Rica is unique among Latin American cultures. Ticos, as Costa Ricans call themselves, have a higher standard of living than their neighbors, with a higher literacy rate, a well-developed social security system, widespread access to electrical power, and a traditional system of education. Much more than a land of coffee and bananas, Costa Rica boasts more teachers than soldiers?it has even abolished its army. This book is divided into 11 chapters covering history, government and politics, the economy, the family, education, and religion. The authors draw on their experiences in the country, interviews with people from all walks of Costa Rican life, and secondary sources. The result is a solid monograph on Costa Rica that points out the contradictions in its perception by the rest of the world. The conclusions dwell on Costa Ricans' distrust of changes that await the country in future decades. Recommended for academic libraries and public libraries that collect in the history and culture of our neighbors to the South.?Boyd Childress, Auburn Univ. Lib., AL
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Chris Couzens, La Voz, June 1999
When I was researching Costa Rica as a candidate place for retirement, despite some effort, I was unable to find much literature beyond the standard travel and retirement guides and a few rather dry tomes of some international institutions. I was therefore delighted to come across and read The Ticos.

The writing is a nice blend of hard facts and well-researched statistics with deductions from personal interviews, all of which is neatly intertwined with astute personal observation and personal anecdotes. It is very well-written. The language flows as easily as in a good novel.

All in all, a most interesting book. I strongly recommend it to foreign residents of Costa Rica. I equally recommend it to those considering Costa Rica as a country for residence, whether for retirement or business.

Rod Hughes, The Tico Times, December 24, 1998
When a new book by the Biesanzes comes out, observers of Costa Rica sit up and take note. The Ticos, a penetrating analysis of this society, is downright enjoyable reading, even for those who know (or care) little about this corner of Latin America.

Customer Reviews

The Ticos
My wife was all set to retire to Costa Rica before she read "The Ticos".
Now however she is more hesitant. From that I conclude that maybe the
book is too honest and tells too much. (Warts and all).
Anyway, we were going to go and see for ourselves what we find. Thanks for making us aware of the possible pitfalls.
This is a very detailed book and I enjoy it very much.

No Page Turner but full of information
Other reviews suggested this for anyone moving to Costa Rica and I totally agree. I stuggled through it but it took me back to my days in college and some of dryer courses engineers had to take as compulsorary's to broaden our character and view of the world. :)
Just going as a tourist, I am sure I will appreciate a lot of this information once I get to Costa Rica. But I was looking for more of a Michner novel where I could learn about the country and its history through a story line. (Still looking if anyone has any ideas.)

A bit of light reading...
Do not expect an "in-depth" book about Costa Rican politics and sociology, but a light reading compendium for those who want to learn a bit about the political and social background of this wonderful country...