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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This was a good read for a gray Ohio winter. Adams is self deprecating and a interesting writer who makes this adventure come to life rather than beating you over the head with tons of facts and history.
"His facts are extremely interesting; his presentation of them is clumsy and tedious." There is a painful irony in Adams quoting the NYT critiquing Bingham's writing, when Adams' writing suffers from the same affliction, and the Audible narration only makes it worse. As other reviews have said better, it's icky how unenlightened this book is with regard to native culture and peoples and white colonialism and privilege. It's amazing that this book manages to take such a fascinating topic and turn it into such boring, off-putting drivel.
adventurous
informative
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Fascinating portrait of grave robber/explorer Hiram Bingham from the perspective of a “martini traveler” who retraces Bingham’s steps to uncover some of Machu Picchu’s mysteries. Some of the Dad jokes could have been edited out but I get that some people need them to read a book about history.
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
The idea to tell two stories in parallel — Hiram Bingham’s exploits and the author’s travelogue — was brilliant. The contrast between Bingham’s ambition, discipline and vanity, and the author’s admitted inexperience and self deprecating sense of humor makes the book a lot of fun. Behind the humor, though, lies a very well researched exposition of Bingham’s methods, personality, and the events that led him to Machu Picchu. Great stuff.
adventurous
medium-paced
Enjoyed reading this journey whilst travelling to Machu Picchu and learned lots of interesting facts about Bingham and his original journey. Writer is quite funny and enjoyed their tale of hiking. The last ¼ of the book for me was somewhat unnecessary. Overall enjoyed whilst travelling for facts
I read this book in preparation for my second trip to Machu Picchu. I found it enlightening and entertaining.