Rating: 
Summary: A timeless calssic
Review: A must for anyone who has already seen or is planning to visit Central America. Stephens writes with such enthusiasm on experiences so unique and groundbreaking. The text still manages to convey its original message of discovery with complete fasination, and is a timeless classic. The illustrations by Catherwood are incredible and the reader is guided through them by the Author with his initial excitement of the object's discovery.
Rating:
Summary: Unabridged John Lloyd Stephens
Review: And real full strength Catherwood illustrations.Unlike some of the recent re-edited editions of Stevens' and Catherwood's work, this Dover Publications edition Volume One of the two volume "Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan presents dense, complex, and revealing insights into a brilliant writer's impressions of travel in nascent Central American countries. Regarding his charge to enter into diplomatic relations with the governments of these countries, Stephens reports, "I was not able to find one..." In following Stephens eccentric and sometimes high-handed travels through these unsettled societies, we are by contrast in his ruminations given glimpses of the political and social climate in the United States at that time - a commercially predatory, exuberantly expansionist, segregated society. Despite the biases of his times, Stephens is always adaptable to the ways of his hosts. Although not great in number, Catherwood's illustrations of the stelae at Copan are truly great. His revealing comments on the difficulty of adapting his Western perception enough to capture the scenes even with the help of his camera lucida - tell us just how unusual the sculptural forms were. As a team - Stephen's enthusiasm and wry humor and Catherwood's sublime skill and dogged persistence - consistently produced great and discerning works of scientific and historical value. It should be illegal for anyone to edit or abridge these books.
Rating:
Summary: Unabridged John Lloyd Stephens
Review: And real full strength Catherwood illustrations. Unlike some of the recent re-edited editions of Stevens' and Catherwood's work, this Dover Publications edition Volume One of the two volume "Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan presents dense, complex, and revealing insights into a brilliant writer's impressions of travel in nascent Central American countries. Regarding his charge to enter into diplomatic relations with the governments of these countries, Stephens reports, "I was not able to find one..." In following Stephens eccentric and sometimes high-handed travels through these unsettled societies, we are by contrast in his ruminations given glimpses of the political and social climate in the United States at that time - a commercially predatory, exuberantly expansionist, segregated society. Despite the biases of his times, Stephens is always adaptable to the ways of his hosts. Although not great in number, Catherwood's illustrations of the stelae at Copan are truly great. His revealing comments on the difficulty of adapting his Western perception enough to capture the scenes even with the help of his camera lucida - tell us just how unusual the sculptural forms were. As a team - Stephen's enthusiasm and wry humor and Catherwood's sublime skill and dogged persistence - consistently produced great and discerning works of scientific and historical value. It should be illegal for anyone to edit or abridge these books.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Book!
Review: As a resident of Mexico who enjoys my ruins and travel within Mexico, this book offers a fantastic glimpse into Mexico and the Yucatan long before it became a resort for Gringos. Not only is it well-written, but also has an excellent collection of visual drawings from a time long lost. An excellent book, and as is always with Dover, and excellent value.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Book!
Review: As a resident of Mexico who enjoys my ruins and travel within Mexico, this book offers a fantastic glimpse into Mexico and the Yucatan long before it became a resort for Gringos. Not only is it well-written, but also has an excellent collection of visual drawings from a time long lost. An excellent book, and as is always with Dover, and excellent value.
Rating:
Summary: Historically great,and illustrations awesome!
Review: I have read and possess all of "incidents..." books by Stephens. Each set is terrific. I read them over and over. I only wish I had at least ONE of Catherwood's colored illustrations! Each book is written as a novel, and one doesn't want to put it down, it is so good.
Rating:
Summary: Classic adventure travel book!
Review: If you have ever traveled to the Yucatan this is a must read book. Though a century and a half old the writing holds up and easy enough to read for todays reader. Catherwoods engravings of the ruin sites are excellent, works of art in their own right. I agree with some of the other reviewers, get this uncut edition! You also might want to check out "Tourist in the Yucatan" for a modern day look at the Yucatan, its a fun thriller beach read.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite books. . . abridged.
Review: Imagine this storyline: It's the early 19th century. An IndianaJones kind of antiquarian (archeologist) is off to Central America toseek lost cities in the jungle. Meanwhile, the U.S. government is in a quandary because its newly appointed minister (ambassador) to the Republic of Central America has suddenly died. So, they offer the job to the archeologist - hey, he's already headed that way, right? - who accepts. Then, to make things even more complicated, it turns out that the Republic is in the throes of civil war, an historic upheaval which will determine the political divisions that are with us still, a century and a half later. Thus goes the basic story of "Incidents." This particular edition is somewhat disappointing in that it has been abridged from the original, and most of the intricately detailed Catherwood drawings have been left out. It makes up for this with some marvelous photography, most of it from the 1860s-70s timeframe.
Rating:
Summary: ADVENTURE TRAVEL WRIGHTING AT ITS BEST!
Review: This is a must read for any one with an interest in the ancient Mayan culture an ruin sites. the other reviewers have summed this book up great, but I just wanted to throw in my two cents.
Rating:
Summary: ADVENTURE TRAVEL WRIGHTING AT ITS BEST!
Review: This is a must read for any one with an interest in the ancient Mayan culture an ruin sites. the other reviewers have summed this book up great, but I just wanted to throw in my two cents.
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