Customer Reviews

Guatemalan Journey

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For someone who was looking for a good starting point in learing about and understanding the history and culture of Guatemala, I found this book to be an excellent read. The author's journal about his travels throughout Guatemala gave this reader a good understanding of how Guatemala, despite its small size, holds several very distincitive cultures, customs and attitiudes. The book primarily focuses on the various cultures and treatment of indigenous Indian populations throughout Guatemala, which is important in understanding why things are the way they are in the country. There is little focus on middle-class life.

While the author sometimes lapses into extended periods of criticizing travelers who visit the country (even if it well deserved) I think the book does a very good job of opening the reader up to Guatemalan culture and provides several other reading ideas for those looking to dig deeper into the country.

After having the opportunity to live in Guatemala, and experience the culture, I read 'Guatemalan Journey'. I found it to be an accurate description of life in Guatemala.

It was well written and interesting. It was amazing how the author captured so many realities of daily life so precisely. He was able to 'bring words to life'.
If you would like to learn more about Guatemala, the complex culture, the wonderful people, the beautiful country, and the pain they have suffered, and still do in some respects, this is a must read.

For travellers to Guatemala who wish to understand the country more deeply but are unable to do so due to the briefness of their visits (unfortunately, this includes most visitors), this is the perfect book to read. Benz weaves an entertaining travelogue while frequently offering informative historical detail and penetrating insights into Guatemalan life, customs, law, and current trends and problems. He makes many perceptive, sometimes startling and unsettling, observations on this troubled but perennially fascinating country. Easily worth double the publisher's price, this book should be read by anyone planning to visit the country. More than a Guatemalan journey, it is a thought-provoking journey INTO Guatemala.

Benz' observant eye catches just right the sad and funny contradictions of Guatemala. He writes so clearly and informally that the poignancy of his observations catches you by surprise. The book is an easy read (in quickly-digested themes such as "The City Dump" and "Ladino Attitudes"). Anyone who has lived or traveled in Latin America will, with a groan or a chuckle, recognize Benz' personal anecdotes as typifying the ethos of the place, and learn something new about its history. Best of all, Benz understands he will always just be a gringo, a stranger, no matter how acute his commentary.

An extremely insightful book into the life, culture and history of the people of Guatemala. As one who has travelled in Guatemala, it brought back very vivid memories. Easy reading, and wonderful insights into the culture.

What I liked about this book is that I feel I could have written a similar book after living for two years in Guatemala. The author makes no attempt to claim that he is an expert on Guatemala just that he lived there for awhile and tried to get a feel for what the country was about. I wish more Americans who go as Fullbright Scholars overseas would write about their experience.

a good taste of guatemala for gringos who plan to travel there

One of the most racist books I have ever read. Page after page
the author unrelentingly displays his complete hatred and
disgust with anyone who is white or mestizo while he endlessly
praises the perfection of the indigenous population. If you
agree with this black and white view of the world you will enjoy
this book. If you feel the real world is even slightly more
complex, then you will find this book impossible to read.