The Lost Cities of the Mayas: The Life, Art, and Discoveries of Frederick Catherwood

Rating:
Summary: Very Nice Indeed
Review: Frederick Catherwood's career as an artist has been dominated by the magnicent drawings and paintings that he made of Mayan art and architecture while accompanying archaeologist John Lloyd Stephens . For decades this was the only view of that civilization that most people had. Even today they still are impressive. Bourbon gives us not only a biography of the artist but wisely chose to put the book into a large format. The result is that the reader can appreciate Catherwood's work (which the book is profusely filled with) even better. Coupled with John Lloyd Stephens "Incidents of Travel in Yucatan" (available in very inexpensive editions) one can expierence the thrill of discovery that both men felt as they uncovered the lost Mayan cities of the Yucatan jungles. A feast for the eyes
of the first visions of a vanished world.

Rating:
Summary: The Lost Cities of the Mayas : The Life, Art, and Discoverie
Review: In reading the The Lost Cities of the Mayas : The Life, Art, and Discoveries of Frederick Catherwood by Fabio Bourbon, one must first take in and enjoy the full folio size color reproductions of Catherwood's engravings and drawings. The vast aray of sumptous images and the clear and concise text that takes you on an adventure through the life of Frederick Catherwood, the first real Indiana Jones is a joy to read and imagine! Oh to have lived in the 19th c. and been on the first real archaeological journey through mexico and central america, documenting the opening up of an ancient civilization to the world. A must for the adventure reader and explorer.