Handbook to Life in the Ancient Maya World (Facts on File Library of World History)

I'm an amateur Mayanist who is often disappointed in the texts of books on the Maya that I purchase. Seeing that Peter Mattews wrote the intro for this book was encouraging. This book is very informative and more up-to-date (2002) than many others on the subject. It provides the basics for readers who don't know much about the Maya, but the information is concise and to the point, never boring and overlong. There's a heck of a lot of info in this book, which covers just about all the basics from the history of the Maya, the architecture, the glyphic writing, their artwork, the various sites, what may have caused the collapse of the Classic Period and how the culture revived for the Postclassic Period. The authors discuss everyday life of the common people as well as the royalty and priests. Religion is discussed, along with the gods. Plus the authors demonstrate that the Maya interacted with other cultures from the American Southwest (turquoise has been found in Maya ruins) all the way into Nicaragua. This is a great reference book and an interesting read.The only disappointing thing about the book is the photos. They are small and bxw. The line drawings are very well reproduced, however. It seems that one is often forced to choose between really good text and great photography. The price goes way up when a book is filled with beautiful color photos and the text is usually the standard same-old, same-old. The value here is in the condensed info in the text rather than in the photos.This is a great reference book, especially good for finding info quickly and easily. Plus the very well written text is interesting and comprehensive.

Published 2002. I thoroughly enjoyed it...it's at my level or a bit beyond...reading Michael Coe's books are very difficult for me...more of a skim than a thorough reading. This one is pretty much thorough reading for me.What I like about it is its organization...a special long, long section is starting at the earliest history and going up to the (Evolution of Maya Civilization).....placing the many many Mayan sites in place historically, importance, etc...then another section is every ??site listed alphabetically with a summary of where, when it's apex, and why it's unique or not. Then geography, Then a long debate, well done, of City-states, vs Regional States and Superpowers....Many other sections...Architecture, economy, daily life, etc.For me it's a wonderful synthesis of so many different readings...it puts the information for me into a more cohesive and rememberable and reasonable system. She often provides alternative current beliefs among the archaeologists and ethno-historians, etc...saying that more study is necessary, but so far they believe this or that.Especially useful for me was the placement of when and what for the Maya sites.As an example...the changing of all powerful divine leaders to later the elite classes having more say in government...fewer stalae, more wall paintings, etc. She even has a unit on TRAPS....how the Mayan used setting up a trap for their enemies...

I bought this book for my Kindle, and it was the first book I bought to read digitally. I have never seen the "real" book and cannot comment on its printing or photographs. That said, I have learned so much about the Maya world with this book and cannot put it down. That says a lot for a historical reference manual. The writing is clear and concise, as well as engaging. Although voluminous, this would be a great source for a student writing a research paper -- although I am unsure how you reference works on the Kindle?

Book is better than I thought! It is virtually new. Thanks!

I liked this book because it tended to explain the everyday lifestyle of an ancient people and civilization. There are still many mysteries surrounding this ancien culture, but many other previous mysteries seem to be answered here in a professional and well researched way through this book. I recommend it for an in-depth study of the Mayan culture.

I'm taking a class on the history of the Ancient Maya and this was a book that was a requirement. Since getting the book it has helped me significantly in my studies; Foster does an excellent job at putting the world of the Maya into perspective. If anyone is interested in the Ancient Maya, this book is one to look at.

Decent enough overview, but some of the information is dated - it was printed in 2005, but some of the info was wrong even then (such as attribution of Mixco Viejo to the Pocomam, when it has now been reliably attributed to the Chajoma branch of the Kaqchikel). The book also uses some outdated naming conventions, such as Tayasal for Nojpeten and Utatlan for Q'umarkaj.

Fascinating book with lots of detail about all aspects of the ancient Maya. Excelent condition.

c'est une somme. La sociologie Maya est complète et fort bien documentée. A conseiller aux étudiants dans le domaine mésoamericain.