Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya [Paperback]

Michael Shapiro (Author), Kraig Lieb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 18, 2008

Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya invites you to jump on one of the country s brightly painted chicken buses and visit its bustling marketplaces, Mayan monuments, colonial town squares, and whitewashed churches, where baroque Catholic rituals meld with ancient Mayan beliefs to create a unique style of worship. From the incense-shrouded devotional processions of Antigua to raucous festivals in remote highland villages, Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya takes you on a illuminating ride through the world of an exuberant people and their country. With images by acclaimed Lonely Planet photographer Kraig Lieb and essays by award-winning author Michael Shapiro, this book celebrates the spirited Mayan people of Guatemala, their brilliantly colored textiles and their reverence for tradition. Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya brings to life the land of this Central American country with captivating photos of Lake Atitlán, riveting images of smoldering volcanoes, and soul-stirring pictures of the towering Tikal ruins in the Petén jungle where Mayan civilization reached its height more than a millennium ago. Lieb and Shapiro, who have returned time and again to Guatemala over the past two decades, display a deep respect for the Mayan people. Their appreciation of Guatemala and its resilient inhabitants enlivens every chapter. Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya evokes the country so compellingly that it will carry you back to this remarkable place for many years to come.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Michael Shapiro's lyrical text paints a vivid picture of Guatemala and when combined with Kraig Lieb's evocative photography the result is a stunning portrait of this Central American country. This book makes me want to jump on the next plane to Antigua. --Robert Holmes, National Geographic Photographer and two-time Travel Photographer of the Year.<br /><br />The Maya of Guatemala have preserved the colorful tapestry of their culture against all odds, and their wondrous country is fittingly celebrated with the publication of this beautiful book. --Bill Newlin, publisher, Moon Handbooks<br /><br />This hauntingly beautiful book has brilliantly captured the current-day life and culture of the Maya in Guatemala. Michael Shapiro's text and Kraig Lieb's photos will cement their reputations as among our leading travel writers and photographers. --Arthur Frommer, founder, Frommer's Guides

This hauntingly beautiful book has brilliantly captured the current-day life and culture of the Maya in Guatemala. Michael Shapiro's text and Kraig Lieb's photos will cement their reputations as among our leading travel writers and photographers. --Arthur Frommer, founder, Frommer's Guides

The Maya of Guatemala have preserved the colorful tapestry of their culture against all odds, and their wondrous country is fittingly celebrated with the publication of this beautiful book. --Bill Newlin, publisher, Moon Handbooks

About the Author

Kraig Lieb, a photographer for Lonely Planet Publications, first travelled to Guatemala in 1990 and was captivated by its vibrant people, Mayan culture, monumental history, and architecture from the pyramids of Tikal to the colonial treasures of the highlands. His Guatemala photos have appeared in numerous Lonely Planet books, including the cover of Lonely Planet's Central America on a Shoestring. Lieb's photos appear in more than 50 Lonely Planet travel guides, and his images have been featured on Lonely Planet covers including Southeast Asia on a Shoestring,Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and Bangkok. His photographs have been published by the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, TIME Magazine, Amnesty International, Oxford University, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Brisbane Times, Amazon.com, Art.com, and Yahoo, and used in advertising by Marriott, Hilton, Kodak, and Vietnam Airlines. Since graduating from Penn State University in 1984, Lieb has worked, lived and travelled extensively throughout Southeast Asia, North America, and Central America. For 4 years in the mid-1990s, Lieb was based in Vietnam, working with Image Design / Visionary Vietnam, a leading postcard and book publishing company. From 2002 - 2006 he was based in Antigua, Guatemala. Lieb's work can be found on art prints, postcards, greeting cards, calendars, magazines and books throughout Asia, North America, Central America and Europe. Lieb runs Purple Moon Publications which publishes postcards, books and art prints in Guatemala, Cambodia, and Northern California. You can visit his web site: www.kraiglieb.com. Michael Shapiro, a writer whose work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, first visited Guatemala in 1989. During six journeys to Guatemala over the past two decades, Shapiro has developed a deep affection for the land and its effervescent Mayan people. Shapiro's 2004 book, A Sense of Place: Great Travel Writers Talk About Their Craft, lives, and Inspiration includes interviews with Bill Bryson, Frances Mayes, Paul Theroux, and Pico lyer. His essay,,The Longest Day, was selected for The Best Travel Writing 2005. Shapiro has bicycled through Cuba for the Washington Post, celebrated Holy Week in Guatemala for the Dallas Morning News, and floated down the Mekong River on a Laotian cargo barge for an online travel magazine. His stories and photographs also appear in the San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times and New York Times. In 2006, Shapiro won the Bedford Pace award for his National Geographic Traveler cover story on author Jan Morris's corner of Wales. The Society of American Travel Writers recognized Shapiro with a 1998 Lowell Thomas award. Shapiro has appeared on U.S. national television networks including CNN and PBS. You can visit his web site: www.michaelshapiro.net

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Purple Moon Publications; 1st edition (July 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615210589
• ISBN-13: 978-0615210582
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #771,809 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Travel > Latin America > Central America > Guatemala

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic gift for all - globe trotter, armchair traveler, anthropology enthusiasts, photographers, and more!, December 21, 2008

By 

J. Yau - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya (Paperback)

Wonderful introduction to the people and culture of Guatemala. Great writing paired with evocative photos equals a keeper book. I have long been a fan of Michael Shapiro's since reading his book, "A Sense of Place: Great Travel Writers Talk about Their Craft, Lives, and Inspiration." I enjoyed how he captured the characters of his favorite top travel journalists and literary authors in his interviews with them. In this book, he has captured the beauty and essence of Guatemala in his sketches of the regions of the land of the Maya. Kraig Lieb's photos bring the textiles, the land, and the people alive. I wanted to linger on each page. I highly recommend this work of art.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superior book, December 14, 2008

By 

ashna 26 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya (Paperback)

never was there a book more colorful and insightful than this journey through the land of the maya!! i've never been to guatemala, but with the amazing photos by kraig lieb each time i open the book, i feel as though i am standing next to the camera, amongst this amazing culture with inspiration to witness and learn more! there is a very compelling harmony between shapiro's vibrant writing and lieb's breath-taking photos! i am grateful to be a proud owner of this beautiful portrait of guatemala, and give the highest recommendation! the only thing missing is the plane ticket you'll wish you had after you've bought the book!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 star review, June 2, 2009

By 

Tanya Lampley (richmond, va) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya (Paperback)

i have been an avid fan of kraig Lieb's photography for many years, this book is a work of art, every photo tells an amazing story. i highly recommend this book to everyone.