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Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan
In 1839, President Martin Van Buren sent John Lloyd Stephens as Special Ambassador to Central America.
What he found was a state of civil war, but what he found on the ground would change our view of Central American civilization forever.
Although his political mission was doomed from the beginning, Stephens spent the next two years exploring the wild jungles and wilderness of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico, visiting and recording ancient Mayan sites.
Many of these Mayan ruins had been visited previously but it was through the explorations and writings of John Lloyd Stephens that the wider world truly became fascinated with the civilization of the Maya peoples.
Stephens records his two journeys into Mesoamerica in brilliant detail as he describes not only the beauty of ancient cities like Copán and Uxmal, along with forty-two other ancient sites, but also the trials and tribulations that he and his men faced as they cut their way through thick jungles, fought off waves of mosquitos, and avoided robberies and contracting fevers.
Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan is a remarkable work of archaeological discovery. Stephens’ book is essential reading for anyone interested in the civilizations of Central America and the archaeological remains that have left behind.
As well as recording a civilization that had long since passed, Stephens’ account provides insight into Central America and the people that lived there during the mid-nineteenth century as it was undergoing turbulent political change.
Edgar Allan Poe described Stephens’ book as “perhaps the most interesting book of travel ever published”, and his journeys have recently been the subject of a New York Times bestseller, Jungle of Stone.
John Lloyd Stephens was an American explorer, writer, and diplomat. Stephens was a pivotal figure in the rediscovery of Maya civilization throughout Middle America. His book was published in two volumes in 1841, this edition however contains both volumes in one book. After completing this work he joined the Panama Railroad Company as Vice President but was struck down by malaria in 1852.
What he found was a state of civil war, but what he found on the ground would change our view of Central American civilization forever.
Although his political mission was doomed from the beginning, Stephens spent the next two years exploring the wild jungles and wilderness of Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico, visiting and recording ancient Mayan sites.
Many of these Mayan ruins had been visited previously but it was through the explorations and writings of John Lloyd Stephens that the wider world truly became fascinated with the civilization of the Maya peoples.
Stephens records his two journeys into Mesoamerica in brilliant detail as he describes not only the beauty of ancient cities like Copán and Uxmal, along with forty-two other ancient sites, but also the trials and tribulations that he and his men faced as they cut their way through thick jungles, fought off waves of mosquitos, and avoided robberies and contracting fevers.
Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan is a remarkable work of archaeological discovery. Stephens’ book is essential reading for anyone interested in the civilizations of Central America and the archaeological remains that have left behind.
As well as recording a civilization that had long since passed, Stephens’ account provides insight into Central America and the people that lived there during the mid-nineteenth century as it was undergoing turbulent political change.
Edgar Allan Poe described Stephens’ book as “perhaps the most interesting book of travel ever published”, and his journeys have recently been the subject of a New York Times bestseller, Jungle of Stone.
John Lloyd Stephens was an American explorer, writer, and diplomat. Stephens was a pivotal figure in the rediscovery of Maya civilization throughout Middle America. His book was published in two volumes in 1841, this edition however contains both volumes in one book. After completing this work he joined the Panama Railroad Company as Vice President but was struck down by malaria in 1852.
700 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1841
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240 people want to read
About the author
John Lloyd Stephens
46 books21 followersJohn Lloyd Stephens was an American explorer, writer, and diplomat. Stephens was a pivotal figure in the rediscovery of Maya civilization throughout Middle America and in the planning of the Panama railroad.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 31, 2017
Just wow. What an amazing tale, made all the more amazing because it's true.
Stephens' account of his travels with partner and illustrator Frederick Catherwood reads like an old-fashioned adventure story combined with history and the sheer thrill of discovery as Stephens and Catherwood make their way through Central America during a time of major political upheaval, battling dense jungles, rugged and often impassable terrain, illness, and even sharks while in a leaky boat to do so. I swear, there were times when I seriously wondered how they were ever going to get out alive to make it back home -- that's how tense this narrative got not just once, but several times. It is anything but dull, and is written based on Stephens' keen observational skills, accompanied by Catherwood's famous illustrations, both of which offer snapshots of the people, places and events they'd experienced while they were there. Its true importance though, as William Carlsen so aptly describes in his own book, Jungle of Stone: The True Story of Two Men, Their Extraordinary Journey, and the Discovery of the Lost Civilization of the Maya, is that these two people "altered the world's understanding of human history," and launched major scholarship and archaeological efforts in the region after the publication of this book and Stephens' Incidents of Travel in Yucatan 1-2.
Highly highly recommended for anyone at all interested in the topic, or for readers of travel accounts; it's one I will never forget.
More:
http://www.nonfictionrealstuff.com/20...
Stephens' account of his travels with partner and illustrator Frederick Catherwood reads like an old-fashioned adventure story combined with history and the sheer thrill of discovery as Stephens and Catherwood make their way through Central America during a time of major political upheaval, battling dense jungles, rugged and often impassable terrain, illness, and even sharks while in a leaky boat to do so. I swear, there were times when I seriously wondered how they were ever going to get out alive to make it back home -- that's how tense this narrative got not just once, but several times. It is anything but dull, and is written based on Stephens' keen observational skills, accompanied by Catherwood's famous illustrations, both of which offer snapshots of the people, places and events they'd experienced while they were there. Its true importance though, as William Carlsen so aptly describes in his own book, Jungle of Stone: The True Story of Two Men, Their Extraordinary Journey, and the Discovery of the Lost Civilization of the Maya, is that these two people "altered the world's understanding of human history," and launched major scholarship and archaeological efforts in the region after the publication of this book and Stephens' Incidents of Travel in Yucatan 1-2.
Highly highly recommended for anyone at all interested in the topic, or for readers of travel accounts; it's one I will never forget.
More:
http://www.nonfictionrealstuff.com/20...
September 24, 2020
I love Central American ancient civilization, especially the Maya, since my mother’s side of the family is from Honduras. So settling into this book, I was expecting to love the content, but have to overcome 170-year-old stilted writing, casual racism, and classism. I’m surprised and happy to say that this wasn’t the case, that the writing was very accessible, if a bit dated. Racism wasn’t a problem in the book, and the author didn’t place himself above the people he met along the way. He seems to have been a bit ahead of his time in his thinking, perhaps due to his open-mindedness and passion for exploration.
The accounts of the discovery of long-forgotten Mayan ruins was incredibly exciting. The vivid descriptions did a good job of conveying the mystery and excitement of digging stone monuments out of the overgrown jungle. Also, the artwork by the author’s traveling companion adds a lot to the experience.
The only thing that makes the book distasteful is the author’s occasional admiration for young women. These descriptions are never vulgar or explicit, and are always very brief, but even the tame admiration for young beauty leaves a blemish on an otherwise fun adventure/travel account.
The accounts of the discovery of long-forgotten Mayan ruins was incredibly exciting. The vivid descriptions did a good job of conveying the mystery and excitement of digging stone monuments out of the overgrown jungle. Also, the artwork by the author’s traveling companion adds a lot to the experience.
The only thing that makes the book distasteful is the author’s occasional admiration for young women. These descriptions are never vulgar or explicit, and are always very brief, but even the tame admiration for young beauty leaves a blemish on an otherwise fun adventure/travel account.
December 7, 2019
Very interesting - my favorite part was about Copan.
July 8, 2018
John L. Stephens and Frederick Catherwood traveled to Mexico and Central America in 1839...Stephens wrote the text of his travels and Catherwood sketched what they saw. An incredible, minutely detailed report of everything and everyone they encountered followed. Remind yourself that this guidebook was written almost 180 years ago when a former slave is referred to as "Darkey" and that almost every village and hut was described as "miserable"....and forgive these indiscretions. Too many details and encounters to describe here, this book must be read to be appreciated. Thank you, Professor Heather Chiero, Augusta University, for assigning this book in our Latin American History course. If you are a student of history, or enjoy learning of other cultures, read this book.
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December 2, 2023This would probably have been an excellent travelogue, had it not been for the LYING and CHEATING of the Smithsonian which is responsible for this edition. It says on the cover "New Edition", and the added pictures are good, but you have to dig in to the book to find out that it is actually an abridgement! BOYCOTT books published by the Smithsonian!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews