Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu

by Ted Lewin

Caldecott Honor-winner Ted Lewin takes readers on a thrilling journey to the wilds of Peru in this story of Hiram Bingham, who, in 1911, carved a treacherous path through snake-filled jungles and across perilous mountains in search of Vilcapampa, the lost city of the Incas. Guided the last steps by a young Quechua boy, however, he discovered not the rumored lost city, but the ruins of Machu Picchu, a city totally unknown to the outside world, and one of the wonders of the world.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Nonfiction, Geography, Adventure, Childrens, Biography

48 pages, Hardcover

First published June 2, 2003

Reviews

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been reading a fair amount about Machu Picchu recently, initially as I was fascinated to learn about their unbelievably precise stonework:



…but also then got into the whole history of its discovery, as well as Incan history itself, (which again just highlighted the horrific abuses of the "more civilized culture" - in this case the Spanish - in their wanton desecration, slaughter and theft…not that the Incans themselves weren't right bastards in their own internicine warfare).

Anyway, I went through several interesting books on this from the library, but as a former art school guy, this one was my favorite thanks to Lewin's beautiful watercolor illustrations:





Short, informative, and just really beautiful.

[Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, as it was an interesting glimpse into what it was like to discover the lost city of Machu Picchu. I've always been fascinated with ancient civilizations and this was just a great, informative book to read.

[Cala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, well-researched picture book about Hiram Bingham and his discovery of Machu Picchu. This book easily appeals to all ages. I enjoyed reading it and appreciated the illustrations that made me feel like I was standing on top of the mountain, viewing the lost city myself. And my 6 year old son liked hearing it just as much. This is one that I will revisit whenever it applies to our studies.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting non-fiction story about the "discovery" of Machu Picchu.

Beautiful artwork.

Since a local Quechua boy led the archaeologist to the ruins I feel like these ruins had been discovered before Bingham came along - by locals living there. However, the ruins of Machu Picchu not widely known apart from those locals.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate this as an adult

Not the best story for young readers
Unless their mom is off to climb this perhaps

The excavation information in the back was especially interesting as well

The paintings were colorful and attempted to stay true to the story

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative but not super imaginative

[Jason Golomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dominated by beautiful artwork, this picture book traces Hiram Bingham's trek from Cuzco to his discovery of Machu Picchu - the so-called Lost City of the Incas. A few of the key characters involved in this specific segment of Bingham's 1911 are interspersed into the short book, but the boy whose family was living and farming on Machu Picchu and led Bingham to the ruins, creates a dreamlike quality to the tale. Lewins' watercolors fill the entire pages and explode with color, shading, details and subtlety. The story is written in language appropriate for readers in grades 1-3, and works equally wonderfully when read by an adult.

Machu Picchu was named one of the NEW seven wonders of the world in 2007 and Bingham's "discovery" of Machu Picchu celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. My 7-year-old stared at the images in Lewin's book in awe, and could relate to the boy who leads Bingham to the incredible stonework ruins that straddle two magnificent peaks of the might Andes. This is a terrific introduction to a legendary story of a legendary people.

[Aleisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is visually stunning and very informative. Lewin deftly demonstrates the remoteness and isolation of the location of the lost city by detailing the long, arduous trip Bingham undertook to it and the effort it took to clear away the overgrowth in the excavation. This book should interest any child (or adult, for that matter) who finds history and archaeology interesting. I have only one complaint--while the book is beautifully illustrated, I find the lack of photographs puzzling. When "the little black box" played such an important part of the story, why do we see none of the photos taken with it? And in the notes at the end, Lewin discusses his own photos taken to research the book. We see none of those either. Their absence doesn't detract much from the story but they sure would have added a lot.

[Kandace · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1911, Hiram Bingham was searching for the lost city of the Incas, Vilacapampa. His quest took him through the dangerous jungles of Peru and to the top of a mountain where a young Quechua boy lead him to an altogether new unheard of place. Bingham was not disappointed that it was not the original lost city he sought because what he discovered in it's place was even more amazing, the ruins of Machu Picchu.

The soft watercolor illustrations and personal text of Ted Lewin take the reader on a journey to a wonder of the world. In his research, Lewin took the same path to the mountain top that Bingham had years earlier. Reliving the trek enabled him to capture the true essence of Bingham's search and discovery.

[Katie Logonauts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the true story of Hiram Bingham's efforts to find the lost Inca city of Vilcapampa in 1911 but instead being introduced to Machu Picchu. What I appreciate about this "discovery" story is the credit given to locals and local knowledge, and it's a great book for helping kids discuss the idea of "discovering" something some one already knows about.

[Whirl Girl]

This wasn't a big hit with The Whirl Girl. I suspect because it was the story was a little over her head and she didn't really connect with the idea behind it. I liked the adventurous approach and it was interesting to learn about how Machu Picchu was "discovered."

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting introduction to Machu Picchu. (I still take issue with the fact that Bingham was famous for "discovering" the ruins although the local people knew it was there all along. This is told in this picture book.)

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story, but not written very well. I read it to Stephen and we found it a little confusing to follow.

[Alice Sujata · Rating 5 out of 5]

We used this book as a companion to my son's study of the Ancient Incan Empire.
The illustrations are beautiful. It's a wonderful non-fiction story, tying the past and present together.

[Adelas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was nicely written, but it is literally a story about how Machu Picchu was discovered. If you're looking to learn more about the city, this isn't the book for you.

[dianne b. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breathtaking watercolours.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful hand-painted illustrations complement the story of Hiram Bingham's 1911 discovery of Machu Picchu.