I found a box of books in my basement that I'd gathered from various sources at least a year or two ago: finds at the recycling center swap shed, or from local yard sales, that kind of thing. [Most of them I picked up specifically to release, and am not that interested in reading them myself, although if a finder should write a glowing review I may regret that one day!]

This slightly-battered trade paperback (one of a two-volume set; see the other here) of author Stephens' account of his 1841 expedition to the Yucatan, and the book's described as "one of the great books of archaeological history" and one of the most authoritative works about the Maya. There are many plates by Frederick Catherwood showing some of the sites that were explored, and some of the carvings found, and just skimming through the text revealed loads of intriguing detail about the country and people. And there's a six-page-wide fold-out page in the back, with maps and with a panoramic illustration of one of the monuments - impressive!

Later: I read this in April of 2009, and enjoyed it thoroughly. Stephens cheerfully describes his journeys in detail, making the reader feel a part of the company - which is sometimes lovely and sometimes not so much, as when he's describing infestations of small biting insects! And considering that most of his travels took place when the local people seldom saw strangers from one year to the next, and that he had to manage his treks without any infrastructure for travelers - few if any inns, few resources for the locals to share even if they wanted to, difficulty in finding people to employ in clearing trees and brush from the ruins they discovered - it's awe-inspiring that he got as far and saw as much as he did.

There are accounts of local customs as well, from the daily chores of isolated farming families to the celebrations in villages. There were some rather grim depictions of bullfighting - and, for equal-opportunity squeamishness, there's an alternately pathetic and oddly funny account of the expedition doctor's attempts to cure what I gather is a kind of cross-eye. [The latter involves making cuts in the too-tight muscles surrounding the eye, to allow the eyeball to reposition itself; it's done without anesthetic. People were lined up around the block for this surgery.]

I was interested to learn that quite often the local people had no idea that a sizeable ruined city or temple was in the area; the overgrowth was so lush that it was possible to ride right past some of these lost cities without seeing any hint that they were there, unless one was on the lookout for oddly-symmetrical mounds.

I found the book thoroughly fascinating and enjoyed reading it very much - definitely recommended. (It's available on audio as well, though that suffers a bit from the lack of the illustrations.)

[This book is on a National Geographic list of classic adventure books, discussed in this Book Talk thread. (Note, 7/28/2010: the 2010 site change broke the older forum links and I can't find the thread now, but the National Geographic list can be seen here; these books are at #60 on the list.)]

I'm adding this book to thegoaliegirl's Travel Bookbox (see the bookbox journal here: 101 Things to be Thankful For). The box will be on its way to BCer mrsjones in Ohio today; enjoy!

[NOTE: the 2010 BookCrossing Unconvention in Boston is coming up soon, August 13-15; if interested in attending, this forum post has information and a link to the convention web site. If you can't come for the whole weekend, you're welcome to attend individual events - see the convention web site for contact info if you have questions. And even if you can't attend at all, watch for lots of BC books to be released in the Boston area that weekend!]

This book arrived home in my travel narrative bookbox. Going on my TBR pile. Will make sure both go out together once I've read them.

I read this book several months ago and just realized that I'd never journaled it. Oops! While this book wasn't an easy read, it was really enjoyable. I really liked all the detail and illustrations. I plan on moving this one with part 2, whenever I happen to find the time to read that one.

off in my latest travel narrative bookbox!

Taking from the travel narrative bookbox. I enjoy narratives of exploration and archaeology and this looks like a good one.