The Maya

by Norman Hammond

Book by Hammond, Norman

Genres: History, Nonfiction

298 pages, Folio Hardback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[William2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative but a slog. One yearns for more synthesis and less catalog. Most astonishing is how little we know, and how much is supposition based on a set of continually revised assumptions.

[Sharon Barrow Wilfong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book because I was interested in learning about Central and South American Indian tribes. This is part of a set about Mayan, Aztec and Incan tribes.

There are many illustrations and photos which are good. The book is divided up into the history of the earliest to the latest researchers of the Mayan culture, then the land, the culture, how they subsisted, the structure of their society, architecture, art and religion. Keep in mind that any information we have is fragmented,limited and with a certain amount of speculation.

Some of it might be a bit dry, but overall a good resource, although by no means the only resource, for those interested in learning about this mysterious culture that was already fading by the time of the Renaissance.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finally finished it! This is a bit too academic for me, although the author claims it's not. But when someone thoroughly covers the economical and trade structures that were apparently part of the Maya culture, I have a hard time enjoying it or even assimilating the information. The last couple chapters were good, simply because they briefly covered the Maya mythology and what little is known of Itzan Na. I would have liked details about the Twin Heroes that is part of modern Maya mythology, but he only mentioned it in passing.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating overview of Mayan archaeology and of the Maya current to the early 2000s. The revised edition here was updated since the initial publication in the early 1980s. Well organized, very well written, this is a clear exposition on the subject that attempts to balance as many points of view as possible while presenting the evolution of modern understanding on the Maya. So the western discovery and colonial experience - the former being devastating - makes for an equally enthralling account of a people emerging from dense jungle across a varied landscape in Central America. It comes across to this reader as a fair and even handed presentation that provides a stepping-stone into the subject field. Terrific reading. It is lean, boiled down, and hews closely to what can be known and what is only inferred or transposable back in time.

[June Ling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read, I couldn’t put it down! I really enjoyed the way the author writes- compelling, narrative and the flow was very cohesive and smooth. Its great for someone like me who has very basic knowledge of The Maya, and I could follow along without getting confused. The maps are great too as it provides a further illustrative to the narration. It’s definitely a stepping stone type of book for people to explore further, as he notes so diligently in his final chapter of further reading. Truly enjoyable read.

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating account.

[Esteban Maldonado · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really straightforward and informative history book.

[James Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is always tempting to read a history book written by an academic active in the field, since popular writers can feel too light. However, the risk is that the book becomes too dry & technical to really give you a flavour of the subject.

The Maya is written in a fairly engaging style, but still feels too academic to me. For example, actual history is written about only after long sections on the history of research into the Maya and a study of the geography of the area. I'd also say that with all the place names a better map would be useful.

Having said that, the book is written with evident passion for the topic which helps carry the reader along.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vastly superior to Michael Coe's work, with significant material on social and economic history, in addition to ethnography and art history.