The Maya (Ancient Peoples and Places)

Rating:
Summary: Informative and update
Review: As a new-comer to Mayan history, I enjoyed the writing in this book. Coe gives a broad description of this complex history while not getting bogged down in extraneous details. The pictures are valuable, especially the city scape pictures and the conditions which the sites were found in modern times. As a previous reviewer recommended, Read Chapter 8 and 9 after reading chapter 3. This might fill in some gaps and clarify some of the middle chapters. Overall, a good start to Maya history and culture

Rating:
Summary: This book worked well as a college textbook on the Maya.
Review: For several years I have used this edition and its three predecessors in a small, introductory college seminar on Maya archaeology. Students and I both liked it. It is sensitive to developments in all areas of Maya research and to the growing knowledge about interactions between the Maya and other ancient peoples of the region. (In this it complements Coe's companion book, MEXICO.) The sixth edition nicely takes account of recent exciting developments in deciphering Maya script, which is a useful addition, since these are headline grabbers that correspond well with what is likely to bubble over into the news media. As a balanced, archaeologically responsible, continuously updated account, with lots of maps and pictures to amplify the text, this is a really useful book.

Rating:
Summary: A vey good introduction
Review: I would recommend this book for people who are planning to visit Mayan sites such as Chichen Itza or Tikal, and would like to get a scholarly, authoritative overview of current scientific knowledge. It is not, however, a page turner. The writing style is dry, and a most of the book consists of lengthy lists and descriptions of buildings and artifacts discovered at every major Mayan site, with little analysis or discussion of what the artifacts actually signify. Those who are short of time or patience would do well to skip ahead to the last three chapters, where the author *at last* provides a discussion of Mayan culture and beliefs. This book is still a good use of time for people who want to get a scientific view of Mayan civilization, instead of the myths that the local tour guides will perpetrate. The hand-drawn maps and illustrations are especially beautifully rendered.

Rating:
Summary: scholarly but difficult to wade through
Review: I would recommend this book for people who are planning to visit Mayan sites such as Chichen Itza or Tikal, and would like to get a scholarly, authoritative overview of current scientific knowledge. It is not, however, a page turner. The writing style is dry, and a most of the book consists of lengthy lists and descriptions of buildings and artifacts discovered at every major Mayan site, with little analysis or discussion of what the artifacts actually signify. Those who are short of time or patience would do well to skip ahead to the last three chapters, where the author *at last* provides a discussion of Mayan culture and beliefs. This book is still a good use of time for people who want to get a scientific view of Mayan civilization, instead of the myths that the local tour guides will perpetrate. The hand-drawn maps and illustrations are especially beautifully rendered.

Rating:
Summary: This Sixth Edition has been enhanced by color plates.
Review: In this Sixth Edition, I have added 17 color plates covering architecture and artifacts, along with a full treatment of the latest discoveries in Maya epigraphy (hieroglyphic writing). A brief guide to visiting the Maya area is included in an Appendix.

Rating:
Summary: Maya archeology
Review: Over three quarters of this book is spent on describing cities and artifacts in a long list. This is probably what Maya specialists are interested in, but I would think that a book with this title should actually try to write the history of the Maya and not just present the archaeological evidence of it. The book finally changes to a more interesting way of presentation towards the end (long after the chapters which judging by their title should have dealt with the different time-periods in Maya history), but up to that point it's pretty tough going for someone who's interested only in a larger view of Maya history.

Rating:
Summary: Great overview of the Maya area
Review: Overall, I found Coe's book to be informative and full of all the necessary facts. At the same time it kept my attention with the beautiful color pictures and descriptions of sites and artifacts. This book will give the reader an overview and introduction to the Maya area while incorporating the latest findings. This makes a great general reference book as well as a good read. The only suggestion I have is that the final three chapters on religion and every-day life come before the in-depth discussion of sites.

Rating:
Summary: Jam packed with information
Review: There is a lot of information within the book and plenty of images. I personally feel that it could with colour images, however, there are many black and white photographs and illustrations for each chapter. I would recommend this text for all Mesoamerican students and enthusiasts alike.

Rating:
Summary: Great information but becomes bogged down at times
Review: This book has great information but at times becomes bogged down and difficult to understand. The first several chapters were the best. Pictures and maps are excellent. Unless you are a true Maya enthusiast, I would pass on this one. There are easier to read books on the subject for the novice.

Rating:
Summary: A vey good introduction
Review: This is an excellent and scholarly book, and brief enough to give the lay reader a good overall understanding of Mayan culture and history without getting bogged down with too much detail. The chapter on breaking the code of the Maya pictograms is particularly interesting. However, it seems a shame that a book which describes in such loving detail the excellence of Maya craftsmanship, and in particular the skill with which jade was worked into jewellery and sculpture, should have not one color picture to do justice to their beauty.