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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this book! It’s reads like a thriller, jumping between the authors own hikes, the historical adventurer and grave robber Hiram Brigham, and stories and history of the ancient Inca.
I’m seeing a lot of reviews where people are upset that the author didn’t more clearly delineate that he understands that no white man “discovered” Machu Picchu and that he didn’t give the non white characters enough time, space, and independent voice. I think he toed the line of making it accessible while still helping new to the subject folks go away with a better understanding of the Inca and Peru. I know I personally would have never picked it up if it was a history book, but I do feel significantly more informed so I think he is serving a good purpose.
In conclusion:
Absolutely fascinating! Makes me want to learn more about the Inca and archaeoastronomy.
I’m seeing a lot of reviews where people are upset that the author didn’t more clearly delineate that he understands that no white man “discovered” Machu Picchu and that he didn’t give the non white characters enough time, space, and independent voice. I think he toed the line of making it accessible while still helping new to the subject folks go away with a better understanding of the Inca and Peru. I know I personally would have never picked it up if it was a history book, but I do feel significantly more informed so I think he is serving a good purpose.
In conclusion:
Absolutely fascinating! Makes me want to learn more about the Inca and archaeoastronomy.
informative
medium-paced
Really a 3.5 - I greatly enjoyed learning about the history of the Incas and Hiram Bingham's expeditions, and I appreciated Adam's sense of humor, but I kept hoping that the spirit of the whole city would have been captured a bit better- I had a hard time visualizing everything and kept looking for pictures to get a better sense. Definitely would still love to visit Macchu Picchu one day!
I picked up this book after really enjoying Mark Adams' book about Atlantis theories.
Combination travelogue and historical account of Hiram Bingham's Peru exploration and the Incan civilization. I was excited to read this book, having traveled to Cusco/the Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu as part of a UCLAx class several years ago.
The first half of the book was a slog. Adams' travelogue was not especially interesting and his tone was kind of offensive, as though he was the only person who had any clue about how to see Incan ruins and everyone except him was an ugly tourist. I almost stopped reading any number of times. The only parts that kept me going were the maps up front and the historical accounts. The book was substantially better in the second half -- including modern adaptations to Bingham's legacy and the trip Adams took on the Inca Trail after his first trip through Incan ruins. Two stars for pages 1-180. Three stars for the rest.
Combination travelogue and historical account of Hiram Bingham's Peru exploration and the Incan civilization. I was excited to read this book, having traveled to Cusco/the Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu as part of a UCLAx class several years ago.
The first half of the book was a slog. Adams' travelogue was not especially interesting and his tone was kind of offensive, as though he was the only person who had any clue about how to see Incan ruins and everyone except him was an ugly tourist. I almost stopped reading any number of times. The only parts that kept me going were the maps up front and the historical accounts. The book was substantially better in the second half -- including modern adaptations to Bingham's legacy and the trip Adams took on the Inca Trail after his first trip through Incan ruins. Two stars for pages 1-180. Three stars for the rest.
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I intended to read this book around the time I visited Machu Picchu, but here we are many years later just getting around to it. It was interesting to hear more about the history, mystery, and drama surrounding Machu Picchu. But the book did read pretty slow for me, and I was left wanting a bit more adventure from an adventure book. I also had a hard time caring about the story of a white American man following in the footsteps of a white American man in Peru.
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
This isn't an in-depth scholarly study of Machu Picchu, it's a combination of the story of Hiram Bingham III, who 101 years ago "discovered" the site, and the story of Mark Adams, who hires porters and a guide to retrace Bingham's steps. The trek through the wilds of the Peruvian Andes would have been better served with more photos, and better maps, but what's there is simply stunning.
Adams doesn't pretend to understand that why of the Incan villages, cities and Trail. Instead, he lets Bingham and others suggest reasons (we have little to no real history except what the Spaniards wrote), and comments on what the sites look like now. The guides he hires include one man, Juvenal, whose family has lived near/farmed in this area for generations - Juvenal seems to walk the distances the group hikes as frequently as people in American walk around their local shopping mall.
The sense of humor here adds to the sense that this isn't just a travelogue, it's an exploration of sorts. His research into Bingham, his insights into the Incan landscape and history, and his commentary on his own hiking help draw readers in in a way that almost makes you want to follow in his footsteps. Luckily, he provides a bibliography that can allow armchair hikers another way to "see" this incredible site.
Adams doesn't pretend to understand that why of the Incan villages, cities and Trail. Instead, he lets Bingham and others suggest reasons (we have little to no real history except what the Spaniards wrote), and comments on what the sites look like now. The guides he hires include one man, Juvenal, whose family has lived near/farmed in this area for generations - Juvenal seems to walk the distances the group hikes as frequently as people in American walk around their local shopping mall.
The sense of humor here adds to the sense that this isn't just a travelogue, it's an exploration of sorts. His research into Bingham, his insights into the Incan landscape and history, and his commentary on his own hiking help draw readers in in a way that almost makes you want to follow in his footsteps. Luckily, he provides a bibliography that can allow armchair hikers another way to "see" this incredible site.
Great flow intermixing history & current and blending the tidbits humorously & relevantly.
informative
slow-paced
Great book. Loved the adventure and history interwoven through the authors journey. It brought up some great memories of my own trip to Peru, naming people and places I had come across as well