Product Description

During the first millennium AD, one of the world's great civilizations appeared in the dense jungles of Mesoamerica. All over the Yucatan Peninsula, the Maya mastered sophisticated principles of mathematics, architecture, agriculture and astronomy and created scores of powerful city-states. At the center of this world was the largest city of them all -- Tikal.

Sprawling over twenty-five square miles, Tikal was situated in the heart of the Yucatan, near rivers that flowed to every corner of the Maya world. Tikal prospered from trade and military triumphs. Its rulers used its wealth to build a magnificent city of palaces, grand plazas and some of the largest stone pyramids seen in the Americas.

As with all great achievements of a civilization, Tikal is a window into the culture that created it. By telling the story of the city -- from its humble beginnings, through its bloody wars, to its "golden age" -- Tikal illuminates the Maya world in all its grandeur, glory and genius.

Wonders of the World series

The winner of numerous awards, this series is renowned for Elizabeth Mann's ability to convey adventure and excitement while revealing technical information in engaging and easily understood language. The illustrations are lavishly realistic and accurate in detail but do not ignore the human element. Outstanding in the genre, these books are sure to bring even the most indifferent young reader into the worlds of history, geography, and architecture.

"One of the ten best non-fiction series for young readers."
- Booklist

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #622618 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 48 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8-This lavishly illustrated volume presents information on this Mesoamerican city, which flourished from 800 B.C.E. to around A.D. 900. Beginning with a discussion of the city's location on the Yucatan Peninsula, the informative text delves into the economic implications of its site on the Holmul River. The history that follows covers pyramid and home construction in general, the role of religion in the life of both the metropolis and its inhabitants, and the position of the city as either a conquering or a conquered city-state. A discussion of the disappearance of the Mayan civilization, including Tikal, wraps up the volume. Full- and double-page illustrations, executed in watercolor, are detailed and provide a fascinating reconstruction of life more than 1000 years ago. Reproductions of both artifacts and stelae also serve to extend the text. A clearly labeled foldout of Tikal in its heyday can be compared to a double-page photograph of the site as it looks today, giving not only pictorial evidence of the passage of time, but also an idea of how reconstructions are done. This is a fascinating look at a civilization that disappeared both mysteriously and abruptly.
Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 4-8. This latest addition to the Wonders of the World series conveys the current understanding of the history of Tikal, a major city in the Mayan Empire between 800 B.C.E and 900 C.E. The author explains why the settlers chose the place; how the location (along the most passable trade route through Mesoamerica) factored into its success; and what is known about the people who lived there. Mann's narrative flows smoothly, and frequent, full-color illustrations, some of them double-page spreads, help to clarify the details mentioned in the text. The author does not sugarcoat discussion of Tikalian customs such as bloodletting, deadly sporting events, and human sacrifice, but she also talks about the people's impressive accomplishments, including the pyramids, the fine pottery, and the system of written expression. A glossary and a time line are appended, but there is, unfortunately, no list of sources. Even so, this will be welcomed by report writers. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Horn Book Guide 04/2003
Profusely illustrated with boldly colored paintings, the text discusses Mayan advances in math and language.

Customer Reviews

Tikal
This book is for children, not for adults that are planning a visit to Tikal.
It was disappointing for that reason.

The splendors of Tikal
This is a very good book to get the attention of youth about the Maya. It is enjoyable for us oldsters too.