Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
New York : Morrow, c1990.
Description
Using data from art and archaeology, this book provides the public with the first glimpse of the just-deciphered history of the Classic Maya. A retelling of the doings of kings and conquerors in Central America more than 1,000 years ago.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Carmenere
The purpose of this book, written by scholars on the subject, Linda Schele and David Freidl, appears to be twofold. Firstly, to reveal or rather decode the hieroglyphs, of what they believe, are the stories left behind by kings and nobles detailing their dynastic rule and conquests throughout
A Forest of Kings has left this reader swimming, with her head barely above water, in a cenote of dates, names, conquests, conjecture, assumptions and speculation , sometimes asking more questions than there are answers. There is a life preserver, however, If anything, this book has me wanting to read more, question more and try to understand more of these silent warriors.
Would I recommend it…………….. Yes, but not to everyone. One really must have some knowledge and interest in the Mayan culture to get any enjoyment from this book. If you are a beginner in this area I would recommend Stephens and Catherwood’s Incidents of Travel in Yucatan for an interesting overview.
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Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. Secondly, in using this information the author’s attempt to reconstruct/fictionalize scenarios of what may have taken place. Certainly, this imagery is helpful in attempting to understand the workings of the ancient Maya yet the skeptic in me wonders just how much of what the author’s envision is accurate. A Forest of Kings has left this reader swimming, with her head barely above water, in a cenote of dates, names, conquests, conjecture, assumptions and speculation , sometimes asking more questions than there are answers. There is a life preserver, however, If anything, this book has me wanting to read more, question more and try to understand more of these silent warriors.
Would I recommend it…………….. Yes, but not to everyone. One really must have some knowledge and interest in the Mayan culture to get any enjoyment from this book. If you are a beginner in this area I would recommend Stephens and Catherwood’s Incidents of Travel in Yucatan for an interesting overview.
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LibraryThing member tarliman.joppos
Excellent source material for my rolegaming campaign. Well organized, clear and lucid prose, and free of the woo that has so tragically infected Central American studies.
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1990
Physical description
542 p.; 26 cm
ISBN
0688074561 / 9780688074562
Other editions
A forest of kings : the untold story of the ancient Maya by Linda Schele (Paper Book)