Customer Reviews

The Inscriptions from Temple XIX at Palenque

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4 star:		(1)
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I am a student of the author, David Stuart, and I have just finished his "Advanced Maya Epigraphy" class at the University of Texas. I was thrilled when his book about Temple XIX was released, because he had already shared some of his insights with his students about these new inscriptions; and by reading the book I knew that I would learn even more about the inscriptions and about K'inich Ahkal Mo' Nahb, the grandson of the Pakal the great. Within this book, Dr. Stuart unravels the texts and iconography of Temple XIX and its associated sister, Temple XXI, to reveal a story of how the king ingeniously used deep-time mythology and sacred geography to try to bring order to his rule and how the king employed the age-old Maya tradition of impersonation, linking himself directly with the two most holy Palenque characters, one historical and the other mythological - the great ruler, Janab' Pakal, and the powerful god, G1.

The book is also a scholarly asset for me because, as a student of Maya epigraphy and a Palenque data monger (I can't get enough of it), I know that Prof. Stuart is the "go to" man for information on both. (He and his dad, George Stuart, retired head archaeologist for National Geographic, have a new book in press on ancient Palenque to be released soon). If you have ever wondered how Maya epigraphers go about deciphering a text, the Temple XIX Inscriptions book is the perfect case study. The volume is remarkable in that it contains here-to-fore unpublished epigraphic ideas and observations that have recently been exchanged between the top Maya epigraphers, but have never gotten into the printed record. He calls this material the "grey literature" of letters and e-mail that only the few get to see. Thank you Dr. Stuart.

In addition to his decipherment of the recently excavated religious & cosmological texts, this jewel of a book includes Stuart's reasoning and insights into Palenque's lesser known dynastic events & individuals---plus new additions & revisions of previously known data about the legendary city.

AND the book is a rare visual treasure in its design, production, and outstanding photography of Temple XIX sculptures--recording in incredibly crisp focus & luminous color the intricately graceful details of the glyphs--and of the clothing, adornment & physical features of the personages carved by Palenque's ancient Master Artists.

For anyone the least bit interested in the ancient Maya, their "lost" civilization, and their mysterious hieroglyphic writing system, this new book by the brilliant David Stuart is a must! The photographs by Jorge Perez de Lara are simply magnificent. Stuart explains, step-by-step, the story told about ancient Palenque by glyphic inscriptions that were just found a few years ago. This is a unique opportunity to witness how "glyphers" decipher these mysterious texts, glyph-by-glyph, with explanations and insights from one of the best Maya scholars in the world.

Dr. David Stuart has presented an in depth study of Temple XIX at the Maya site of Palenque, for Maya hieroglyphic aficionados this will greatly enhance the knowledge of the Maya writing system. This is a scholarly work for both the novice and expert of Maya studies and illustrates how far decipherment of Maya hieroglyphs has progressed.

While the topic of this book on the inscriptions at Palenque is highly specialized, the photographs are marvelous and the quality of the Maya art extremely high. This book will be of great interest to anyone who believes or who would like to believe, that Mayan art, at its best, is part of the world's finest art along with the art of the Greeks, the Chinese, etc. The book has been carefully and lovingly produced.

There is no question about David Stuart being the master in the decipherment of Msya hieroglyphic inscriptions as this book plainly shows. David was Linda Schele's mentor and it is obvious how much he was indebted to her as he gives her credit throughout the book not only to her scholarly deciphedrment of Maya inscriptions throughout most of her adult life but her enthusiasm for her chosen field. The photographs of Jorge Perez de Lara throughout the work are thrilling and show almost a perfect collaboration between the two. I awaited the book with much anticipation and certainly was not disappointed.

This book shows the newly discovered stone inscriptions of Palenque. Some of them are as well produced as any other Maya stone engravings.

Very well written and excellent photography. Even if you have many other books on the Maya, this one is unique, and deserves a space on your shelf.