Incidents of Travel in Yucatan, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

by John Lloyd Stephens (Author)
Key Phrases: great teocalis, engraving opposite, overgrown with trees, Doctor Cabot, Don Simon, Casa del Gobernador (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
As director of the Ocean Steam Navigating Company and president of the Panama Railway Company, Stephens (1805-1852) knew a lot about travel, and he wrote about it. His first book, Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan, went through 12 printings and earned its author $15,000 in its first three months, making him one of America's first bestselling writers. Edgar Allen Poe called it "perhaps the most interesting book of travel ever published." This more seasoned and focused account of Stephens's second trip, originally published in 1843, is packed with detailed accounts of travels in newly discovered Mayan ruins and with equally fascinating lithographs by his travel companion, Frederick Catherwood. Through Stephens's eyes, readers see Yucatan villages of 150 years ago, when Indians used cacao beans instead of money in their marketplaces; a Catholic/indigenous hybrid funeral that seems no more barbaric than the crude medical treatments rendered by another of Stephens's travel companions, Dr. Cabot, on their Mayan guides. One of the first to acknowledge that indigenous Americans might have built the great American pyramids and temples, not Egyptians, Greeks or one of the lost tribes of Israel, Stephens voiced a rare, nonjudgmental viewpoint in a time when European cultural elitism was the unquestioned norm. Not just a curiosity for archeology buffs or cultural studies types, this is also an informative, intriguing guide for armchair travelers.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description

Volume 1 of 2-volume set. Classic (1843) exploration of jungles of Yucatan, looking for evidences of Maya civilization. Extensive accounts of 44 Maya sites as well as of Yucatan folkways, manners, dress, ceremonies, amusements — all of which makes this a great travel book. Total in set: 127 engravings. 1 map.

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Product Details Paperback: 317 pages Publisher: Dover Publications; First Thus edition (June 1, 1963) Language: English ISBN-10: 0486209261 ISBN-13: 978-0486209265 Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #612,031 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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great teocalis, engraving opposite, overgrown with trees

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Doctor Cabot, Don Simon, Casa del Gobernador, San Francisco, Chaipa Chi, House of the Dwarf, San Cristoval, United States, Don Francisco, New Spain, Central America, Dońa Micaela, Santa Ana, House of the Turtles, Doctor Morton, Vera Cruz, Juan de Grijalva, Don Lorenzo, Dońa Joaquina Peon, Doctor Fasnet, San Joaquin, Catholic Church, San Antonio, Casa de Palomos

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews 5 star:  (8) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:  (2)           Average Customer Review 4.0 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 59 of 62 people found the following review helpful: 1.0 out of 5 stars Stephens, "et al..." a disappointment, December 14, 2001 By  Mark Robertson (SAN DIEGO, CA USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: Incidents of Travel in Yucatan (Abridged) (Paperback) (Is there a way to give it no stars?) A great disappointment to fans of Stephens and Catherwood. If you're looking for the real thing - this isn't it. More properly titled: "Karl Akerman's Unfortunate Abridgment of Stephens' and Catherwood's Incidents of Travel in Yucatan," this 286 page compilation is abridged, elided, and largely meaningless for anyone wishing to get the look and feel of the 600 pages of the two original volumes brilliantly written and illustrated by John Lloyd Stephens And Frederick Catherwood. This book barely resembles the two original books, as it's missing a tremendous amount of historically styled and interesting text - and around 100 of Catherwood's exquisite drawings. Go hunt down the Dover two volume edition - gladly pay the price - and settle in for a stunning read that hasn't been repurposed as an overview for the modern casual traveler to the Yucatan. 22 of 22 people found the following review helpful: 2.0 out of 5 stars Gutted by Ackerman, May 4, 2005 By  Timothy Ritter (Colorado) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)       This review is from: Incidents of Travel in Yucatan (Abridged) (Paperback) Now here's a publishing phenomenon. Stephens publishes his first book on the Maya and it is hailed by Edgar Allen Poe, among others, as "perhaps the most interesting book of travel ever published". His second book on the Maya, the one for sale on this page, was called "better than its brother" by William Hickling Prescott. 153 years slip by, and a new edition of "Incidents of Travel in Yucatan" is published by none other than Smithsonian Books. I made the mistake of assuming the new edition, coming from Smithsonian Books, would be of high quality. How wrong I was. Mr. Ackerman, in his own words, has reduced the text of this classic "by two thirds, but aims to preserve the spirit and essence of the original work". That's right, this "editor" cuts out 67% of one of the greatest works of literature in history, and has the impudence and effrontery to say he aims to preserve the book's spirit and essence. Then, taking the concept of hubris to a new level, he puts his name on the cover under that of the author--as though he had actually added something. He has added nothing, only subtracted. Besides the 67% of the text, he also removed the name of Frederick Catherwood, who did the marvelous drawings, from the cover. In the introduction, there is not the slightest hint of shame for the gut job, which he describes: "I have eliminated Stephens' description of the journeys to and from the region...I have tightened Stephens' prose, eliminated the detailed measurements of buildings and mounds, and excised long historical digressions and anecdotes...I have not used ellipses to indicate compression..." With all the eliminations and excisions and hackings, Ackerman elects to leave in place misspellings because they "reveal Stephens' character and time". Let me get this straight. Historical digressions and anecdotes, admired by the likes of Poe and Prescott, must be cut. But misspellings must be preserved to reveal character and time? What sort of a wacky caricature of a scholar did the Smithsonian Scholarly Book Fund give a grant to? I have tried to fathom why a person with an interest in archaeology and history and literature would maim a book in this fashion, but I'm at a loss. One would expect this sort of thing if Spielberg were making a biopic about Stephens. Then, the cuts would be necessary to fit the story into a 90-minute slot while keeping enough space for a sassy love interest and a talking jaguar. But this is a fantastic book that eight generations of readers from around the world have loved in its entirety. Where is the Dover edition? 10 of 12 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and amazing, March 13, 2001 By  Bill Pullman "Book reviewer" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Incidents of Travel in Yucatan (Abridged) (Paperback) If you have ever been or are planning a trip to the ruin sites of the Yucatan this is a must read book! written over 150 years ago it still holds up today. It is a fascinating look at the early exploration of the Ancient Mayan cities lost to the jungle. Reading this book will make your trip much more enjoyable and educational. On a lighter note, I also recommend the thriller "A Tourist in the Yucatan" set in the modern day yucatan--nothing to heavy, but a good beach read.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book at Yesterdays Prices This is your big Chance! When was the last time in this new Millenium that you made a purchase at a price from the old Millenium? Read more Published 13 days ago by Robert Wolter 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book Well im hooked, im gonna order the rest Johns books about Central Mexico here this month sometime. Very well written, every page takes me back to my trip to the Yucatan. Read more Published 1 month ago by Joshua L. Peterson 1.0 out of 5 stars Dover Edition Much Better The two volume Dover edition is much much better. This is watered down, and doesn't contain the important details that make it so interesting. Read more Published on May 28, 2006 by Dawn Cooper 5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing journey I cannot believe that I read this book. I started because of a long trip and there was nothing else handy. Read more Published on November 19, 2001 5.0 out of 5 stars A classic !!!! A must for anyone interested in learning more about the ancient mayan Culture. It is hard to belive this book was written in the 1840ies. Read more Published on November 27, 2000 by Shane Gleason 5.0 out of 5 stars Adventure Travel at its Zenith Stephens and Catherwood were the Yucatán's first North American tourists back when the ruins of the Maya cities were still lost to the jungle. Read more Published on October 25, 2000 5.0 out of 5 stars Abridged version of a fascinating adventure The original book is great reading for the style with which Stephens writes, for the view of the life at those times in Mexico, for the view of the life of the Indians, and for... Read more Published on February 5, 1998 by Stephen McHenry 5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing tale This series of books has been in print for over 150 years! If that doesn't impress you, then Frederick Catherwood's drawings will. Read more Published on December 6, 1996 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 317 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; First Thus edition (June 1, 1963)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486209261
• ISBN-13: 978-0486209265
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #612,031 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Stephens, "et al..." a disappointment, December 14, 2001

By	Mark Robertson (SAN DIEGO, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Incidents of Travel in Yucatan (Abridged) (Paperback)

(Is there a way to give it no stars?)

A great disappointment to fans of Stephens and Catherwood. If you're looking for the real thing - this isn't it.

More properly titled:

"Karl Akerman's Unfortunate Abridgment of Stephens' and Catherwood's Incidents of Travel in Yucatan," this 286 page compilation is abridged, elided, and largely meaningless for anyone wishing to get the look and feel of the 600 pages of the two original volumes brilliantly written and illustrated by John Lloyd Stephens And Frederick Catherwood.

This book barely resembles the two original books, as it's missing a tremendous amount of historically styled and interesting text - and around 100 of Catherwood's exquisite drawings.

Go hunt down the Dover two volume edition - gladly pay the price - and settle in for a stunning read that hasn't been repurposed as an overview for the modern casual traveler to the Yucatan.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Gutted by Ackerman, May 4, 2005

By	Timothy Ritter (Colorado) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Incidents of Travel in Yucatan (Abridged) (Paperback)

Now here's a publishing phenomenon. Stephens publishes his first book on the Maya and it is hailed by Edgar Allen Poe, among others, as "perhaps the most interesting book of travel ever published". His second book on the Maya, the one for sale on this page, was called "better than its brother" by William Hickling Prescott. 153 years slip by, and a new edition of "Incidents of Travel in Yucatan" is published by none other than Smithsonian Books.

I made the mistake of assuming the new edition, coming from Smithsonian Books, would be of high quality. How wrong I was.

Mr. Ackerman, in his own words, has reduced the text of this classic "by two thirds, but aims to preserve the spirit and essence of the original work". That's right, this "editor" cuts out 67% of one of the greatest works of literature in history, and has the impudence and effrontery to say he aims to preserve the book's spirit and essence. Then, taking the concept of hubris to a new level, he puts his name on the cover under that of the author--as though he had actually added something.

He has added nothing, only subtracted. Besides the 67% of the text, he also removed the name of Frederick Catherwood, who did the marvelous drawings, from the cover.

In the introduction, there is not the slightest hint of shame for the gut job, which he describes: "I have eliminated Stephens' description of the journeys to and from the region...I have tightened Stephens' prose, eliminated the detailed measurements of buildings and mounds, and excised long historical digressions and anecdotes...I have not used ellipses to indicate compression..."

With all the eliminations and excisions and hackings, Ackerman elects to leave in place misspellings because they "reveal Stephens' character and time". Let me get this straight. Historical digressions and anecdotes, admired by the likes of Poe and Prescott, must be cut. But misspellings must be preserved to reveal character and time? What sort of a wacky caricature of a scholar did the Smithsonian Scholarly Book Fund give a grant to?

I have tried to fathom why a person with an interest in archaeology and history and literature would maim a book in this fashion, but I'm at a loss. One would expect this sort of thing if Spielberg were making a biopic about Stephens. Then, the cuts would be necessary to fit the story into a 90-minute slot while keeping enough space for a sassy love interest and a talking jaguar. But this is a fantastic book that eight generations of readers from around the world have loved in its entirety.

Where is the Dover edition?

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and amazing, March 13, 2001

By	Bill Pullman "Book reviewer" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Incidents of Travel in Yucatan (Abridged) (Paperback)

If you have ever been or are planning a trip to the ruin sites of the Yucatan this is a must read book! written over 150 years ago it still holds up today. It is a fascinating look at the early exploration of the Ancient Mayan cities lost to the jungle. Reading this book will make your trip much more enjoyable and educational. On a lighter note, I also recommend the thriller "A Tourist in the Yucatan" set in the modern day yucatan--nothing to heavy, but a good beach read.