Product Description

This revised edition includes newly discovered sites. New photos and maps with full-color illustrations of real life scences from National Geographic Magazine.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8252 in Books
• Published on: 2004-02-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

From Library Journal
Machu Picchu is one of the most stunning archaeological sites on Earth. Located in the heart of the Andes in Peru, this five-centuries-old Incan relic attracts some 300,000 tourists yearly. Yet the significance of the site itself is difficult to unravel without a lot of personal knowledge or a comprehensive guidebook. Wright, who has studied the site for 25 years and has worked at Machu Picchu since 1994, and Zegarra (anthropology and archaeology, Univ. of Cuzco) have teamed up to produce a handy book for visitors who wish to guide themselves at their own pace through the site. A bound-in, fold-out color archaeological map of Machu Picchu keyed to the book's chapters and an array of black-and-white as well as color photographs will help users find and navigate the site easily and not depend on fractured live tour guide information. After reading this book, you will want to hop on the next flight to Peru. If you are unlucky enough never to visit Machu Picchu, the guide will serve as an excellent virtual tour. Recommended for general travel collections. Olga B. Wise, Compaq Computer Corp., Austin, TX
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Promotes a satisfactory low impact visit offering an early step-by-step trail through the legendary Incan site. -- Publishers Weekly, June 4, 2001

From the Inside Flap
"The Machu Picchu Guidebook is a wonderful volume. Not only does it offer a clear and well-illustrated guide to this unique site, but it incorporates new interpretations and insights of investigators actively involved in the archaeological study of Machu Picchu, including the authors themselves. I recommend it highly to all those planning a visit to Machu Picchu." —Richard L. Burger, Director, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, home to the 1912 Bingham Machu Picchu Treasures

"The best all around guide for all who've been or are going to Machu Picchu. This outstanding little book leads you step-by-step through this fabulous site with a knowledgeable text and a magnificent selection of black-and -white and color photographs. Incorporating the latest archaeological discoveries and insights, this valuable guidebook opens your eyes to the genius of the Inca and brings Machu Picchu to life as never before. Comes with the best map of the ruins ever produced. Absolutely indispensable!"
—Don Montague, president, South American Explorers

"A tour de force! Ruth Wright and Alfredo Valencia Zegarra have written the definitive guide to Machu Picchu. A delight to read, their clear and concise expert narrative is an invaluable reference for first-time and returning visitors alike. The first guide to explore in depth the architectural and engineering wonders of Machu Picchu, this guidebook recaptures the excitement of Hiram Bingham's 1911 discovery of the legendary Inca site, while at the same time providing the most up-to-date archaeological information, fully illustrated with architectural plans—including a spectacular new foldout color site plan—analytical drawings, and historic and contemporary photographs."
—Humberto Rodriguez-Camilloni, Ph.D., Professor of Architecture and Director, Henry H. Wiss Center for Theory and History of Art and Architecture, College of Architecture and Urban Studies, Virginia Tech

Customer Reviews

Good Info for a Trip
I bought this book in preparation for going to hike the Inca Trail. Great info!

Machu Picchu guidebook
This book came in handy while at Machu Picchu. We actually did have a guide, but we also had some members who could not handle the stairs all day. So we took the guided tour, then toured on our own with this guidebook. It was very helpful, and appeared accurate. Worth the money, and I would recommend reading it before you get on the mountain. That way you can decide where you want to climb to and the not miss areas for your trip.

A great way to prepare your eyes for Machu Picchu
This book is fairly scholarly and serious, but I read it on a cross-country flight, using the detailed map insert to locate key items as I read. It made my enjoyment of the site itself many many times greater. Most local guides you hire at the site will only show you "Machu Picchu's greatest hits", and with the book's knowledge you can really appreciate what they are taking you to and can explore the rest effectively on your own. I was glad to have read and studied the book and its many illustrations ahead, however, as the weather was wet and using it as an on-the-spot guide wouldn't have worked so well.