Along the Inca Road: A Woman's Journey into an Ancient Empire

by Karin Muller

A woman's journey along the ancient "Inca Road" follows the high-altitude spine of an empire across the Andes from Ecuador to Brazil, where she documents the descendents of the Inca with words and images. By the author of Hitchhiking Vietnam. Reprint. 15,000 first printing.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Staciarj · Rating 2 out of 5]

I applaud the author's spirit of adventure but the writing was too scattered, the metaphor's were too cheesy, and the local people were called "gentle" one too many times.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will agree with people who have criticized this book for being A. not the most amazing writing you'll ever read (but I have found that I tend to read travel memoirs for the inspiration, not the expectation of high quality prose), B. at times a bit patronizing to the people that the author interacts with, and C. the author does a lot of stupid stuff for no reason other than the experience I guess. Still, I really liked reading about some of the places the author went to and traditions she experienced, knowing that as someone without National Geographic funding my travels, I probably won't see most of those things.

As a note though, in regards to her depiction of the people she meets, yes, the author did that thing where she looked at poverty and found a beauty in it. That is often looked poorly upon, because it's easy to see beauty in a life you don't have to live, where you can pick and choose what to put up with and what to escape. Still, as someone who has spent time in Latin America in communities far different from my own, I can attest that sometimes through travel you can realize what is TRULY important in life. I believe that the author DID see the inherent value in the people and customs and lifestyles she experienced. That being said, the trope of the "noble savage" did occasionally come through here when she went to indigenous villages. But I give her kudos for trying to learn some Quechua and Aymara language and to attempt to learn how to spin. Also for trying to dispel rumors that poor neighborhoods are inherently dangerous.

[Michael Riversong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since reading that Orson Scott Card book about Columbus, have been obsessed with studies of Native American cultures, particularly in South America where my knowledge has significant gaps. Actually everyone's knowledge does -- there's a lot to that. Evidence is emerging that organized governments may have started before or at the same time as the oldest ones known in Sumeria.
Muller's book is an excellent adventure story -- maybe a bit much so, which is why one star got knocked off. She's a colorful character, but a bit of a grandstander. In several instances she insisted on doing things that were not appropriate and were even offensive to people around her. Of course she was able to stifle any objections with plenty of National Geographic money. This is an adversarial approach that does a disservice to the discipline of Anthropology.
Otherwise, the book is packed with excellent information about the deep and varied cultures of the Andean region, and is thus a good source point for understanding both history and current events.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharon Doubiago’s South America Mi Hija from 1991 documents in poetry some of the same route that Muller’s describes. It was the connection between the titles that drew me into this one. I’ve read Doubiago’s book many times in the last thirty years. Neither of these books could be mistaken for a travel guide, but both are travelogues in their own ways. Doubiago’s dives deep into the disparate mythologies that inhabit the Inca Road; Muller’s dives deep into the facts — to the extent they can be known — that lie behind the legends and the myths. Both writers do their best to insinuate themselves, after a fashion, into those mythologies.

[Alicia Reese · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book to read while loosely following her path, otherwise it will just make you crazy wanting to go there. The thing I didn't like about this book is that Muller inadvertently imposes her western ideals on the various south american cultures regardless of their level of acceptance. She is a very brute force western woman, which I admire on one hand, yet believe she could use a bit more grace while on her various adventures.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as research for my upcoming trip to South America. I enjoyed the stories and got a sense of South America, but occasionally got lost in the history lessons. However, I have to admit my previous knowledge of South American history is sadly lacking, and the author may have expected at least a little prior knowledge. It did at least send me searching for more info on the Inca Empire.

[Nadiia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ох, Карин. Я бы с удовольствим пожала вам руку! У меня в голове не укладывается, откуда столько сил, энергии и непоколебимой уверенности в себе, чтобы при каждом удобном и не очень случае обязательно учавствовать во всем, выносить ох какие не легкие испытания на себе, а на следующее утро карабкаться выше, проходить больше.

Да, это проект. Да, Карин при деньгах и ее участие во многих мероприятиях подкреплялось долларовой купюрой. Да, это скорее записки путешественника, а не очередной роман-эпопея о романтических путешествиях. А также, это история целого года жизни целенаправленной, амбициозной и отчасти сумасшедшей женщины в Южной Америке. Многое из того, что она делала, отчасти очищение морской свинкой, поедание свинного жира и встреча с бычьими рогами - у меня до сих пор не укладывается в голове.

"Он думает, что я сумасшедшая, – это написано у него на лице. Но мне все равно. У меня есть мечта". Если у Карин есть мечта, то она ее воплощает в жизнь.

[LM Huffman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ultimately, a disappointment. Muller seemed to put herself in dangerous situations where she was clearly not needed or wanted just so she could write about them later, and maintained an adversarial and somewhat contemptuous relationship with her cameraman, whose side of the story we, unfortunately, never get to hear. The writing was melodramatic and the treatment of the people she met along the way as sort of 'quaint' was borderline offensive. While I wanted to learn more about the Inca, and did to a tiny degree, I'm not sure it was worth the slog through this book.

[Katrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this one!! What a thrilling ride. Karin is pretty courageous, daring and tough. She explains the Inca world on the way, too. Really liked this glimpse into a world so foreign to us. Her struggles, her resilience, her bonding with locals.. really beautiful to read. I would have wanted a map and many more pictures. That takes one star off. Otherwise this is an absolutely fascinating book, I recommend it!!

[Bertie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice to see Muller's sense of adventure and her eagerness to explore these interesting countries. The parts about the incas were fascinating, I learnt a lot about the inca empire and the Spanish conquistadores.

In parts though, the book was a little dull and struggled to keep my attention so overall I think it well and truly deserves a solid 3 stars.

[Alexandra Zhukovskaya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Писательница дивная графоманка, перемешивающая истории в формате ЖЖ начала двухтысячных с краткими отрывками из энциклопедии. Только присутствие в Перу заставило меня дочитать до конца книгу. Пожалуйста, никогда не читайте)

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://podkoldra-deana.blogspot.com/2...

[Robert Tetteroo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gelezen tijdens mijn trip door Peru en Bolivia in 2003.

[Katie Bruell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this was an interesting read, but I didn't quite see the point of the author's journey, except to consistently throw herself into danger, into other people's lives, etc.

[Lee Kokle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karin Muller, who decides to travel along the Inca Road does not understand what exactly awaits her there. Although the idea really takes time to form in her head, she draws a line in the map of South America where the road is. Although she has had lessons and repeats to herself her Spanish knowledge and a native language, she had only a vague idea about the adventure that really is the Inca Road. She wants to travel alone with a cameraman but without a group of people. She thinks she is ready to do it alone.

She is challenged with the Inca Road more than once. Of course, Karin also learn very much about the people who live in the towns and cities, their culture and heritage. Experiences anger and sympathy and all the mix of emotions that can be experienced and that In my opinion was also a blessing.
When she achieves something, it gives here much bigger satisfaction than if she had not.
She does conquer the Inca Road.

I picked this book up from a shelf and had actually no idea what was awaiting me when I started to read it. I had no or little knowledge about Inca and the idea of reading this kind of books had not come to me in a while. Some years ago I bought a book about Australia and travelling through it, but it is still collecting dust in my shelf at my parent's place. However, I read the book about Inca Road and a woman who dared to challenge it and I enjoyed every second. It gave me new perspective, new interests. I might not be able to challenge the Inca Road but I certainly know more about the history of countries in South America and people who live there.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm only a week back from Ecuador and am ready to go back after finishing this book. Actually, I'd go to Bolivia next, and then Peru...

What an adventure Karin had in South America--thanks to her own and enthusiasm, try-anything-once attitude, and.... well, balls! "Castrating an alpaca today? What luck! Can I help?!"

Her story was very real, very honest, and very beautiful. She did a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the Inca descendants of modern-day Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Her story was well written and at all times entertaining; the map at the beginning was super helpful (if only a thin red line graced it); the photos chosen for inclusion were illustrative of her journey and of just the right number; and her Anatomy of an Adventure was clever, funny, and a perfect way to end the book!

[John Gurney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, fascinating travel book. Delightful prose details Karin Muller's trip on over 3,000 miles of the ancient Inca Road through the Andes. I found it riveting to read of countless indigenous villages and their residents, still attached to ancient customs and beliefs. She runs into quirky fellow travellers and soldiers at the tense border between Ecuador and Peru (who had recently fought a war over remote frontiers). The fearless tourist visits Manchu Picchu and other Inca ruins, participates in a bullfight, a vicuna round-up and as a watcher of a Bolivian military expedition against a jungle cocaine lab. Truly, a worthwhile read.

[Jupie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting woman that goes around the world by herself or with a cameraman and put herself in situations and joins what is happening in the country she goes to. She first learns the language for a year and reads about the country and then enjoys. She writes for National Geographic. Fascinating stories about her adventure traveling the Inca Trail in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. It was about 2,000 miles long. She interacts with indigenous people and you learn a lot about the people and traveling in the countrys.

[Raina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting read with great tidbits of historical info as well as cultural phenomenon. The author's tone was a little too know-it-all, however. Also, you never really get a sense of who the author is and why she is out on the journey. Nor do you really ever know exactly how she intends to make the journey--did she intend to hike the whole thing? Bus along different sections? The story is too broken up so the reader can't really follow along on the journey, and the reader never gets to know the narrator well enough to really empathize with her.

[Nyana Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the first chapter and I am completely immersed in the tale. She captures the sense of yearning and wonder that goes into preparing for an epic adventure. Every world traveller and outdoor enthusiast will identify with this longing for a journey for self-discovery. Unfortunately, most of us cannot write about it well enough to land a National Geographic book deal and then continue to roam the world in further self-discovery and adventure.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice travel book about a woman's journey from Equador through Bolivia in 2000 with a National Geographic photographer. She explores many modes of transport, finding that the Incas were not conquered; they are still living among the volcanoes, jungles, and altiplano. Reading of her trials, I was reminded that travel is what happens between plans.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I've read this book. But I remember loving it. It planted the seed for my desire to go to Cuzco and see Macchu Picchu, which is kind of a big travel destination these days. I still want to go, though. I would read this one again on the plane ride down to South America if I ever make it down there.

[Christy Rivers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about her crazy adventures. I would never do most of what she did because I don't have a death wish. But it did remind me that if I just ask to participate in experiences, people might often say yes. And while being entertained by her antics, I learned a thing or two about the Incas which was also a bonus.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book to read before heading to Peru. Karin is so adventurous, fun to see South America through her eyes and adventures. Really great writing, too--I loved her descriptions of the landscape and towns and the way she wove in the history of the Incas into her own story.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Karin Muller not only writes an interesting history of the Incas, but also writes an interesting travelogue/adventure book in which she not only observes, but participates. Truly an outstanding work.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

B+ Interesting travel story of a woman who is a traveler at heart journeying along the Incan trail; sometimes, she gets a little long-winded

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book alot. I don't think it was as good as "Hitchhiking Vietnam", but it had no problem holding my attention. Karin Muller is definitely a free spirit.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third of Muller's travel books that I ahve read. I like her tendancy to stay in places longer and try to experience local culture and events.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written. Nothing heart thumping, but interesting and worth the read.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastically-written adventure. Karin truly brought the reader into this experience; I could feel the cobblestone paths under my feet. One of my favorite travel writings.