Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico

The mystique of the pre-Columbian Maya has prompted much speculation about the nature of this sophisticated people. With the recent breaking of their elaborate hieroglyphic code, Schele and Freidel, Mayan scholars of note, provide a new look at the Maya. Structured on sound scholarly principles, their presentation abounds in notes, references, indexes, and chronologies with profuse line-drawings of temple and other inscriptions. They devote a chapter to each of the major Mayan city-states. What makes this volume more accessible and of greater impact than the average scholarly study are the frequent vignettes of great events, kingly acts, etc., told dramatically, in a fictive but plausible style that allows the ancient Maya at last to speak for themselves.

This book traces the evolution of Maya civilization through the Pre-Columbian era, a span of some 2,500 years from the origins of complex society within Mesoamerica to the end of the Pre-Columbian world with the Spanish Conquest in the 16th century. The sixth edition presents new archaeological evidence and historical studies and offers the most extensive revisions of this classic work to date. The result is the most thorough and incisive study of the origins and development of ancient Maya civilization ever published.

The mighty, mysterious Chichen Itza pyramid has a profound effect on everyone who visits, and Climbing the Pyramid gives excellent insight into why people love it and revere it.
The great seers and astronomers who built this mountain constructed it as a portal between time and no-time. Using stone as their "hardware," the Itza programmed their pyramid to display the "serpent descending" on March 21, reflecting the relationship of the earth and its people to the sun and stars. This is where the shamans offered their blood to manifest the gods and ancestors as the Vision Serpent, and now even its most casual climber stands where the earth meets the cosmos.

Upon climbing the pyramid, the author and photographer pondered its powerful effect, and have put their insights into its mystery and history in Climbing the Pyramid. In this charming, personal, documentary-style account of the site, they present information on the meaning of the pyramid according to Maya shamans and archeologists; the Maya calendar; Maya prophecies; Maya history; and the pyramid's spring equinox phenomenon on March 21. Plus, 135 stunning, B&W, documentary photos virtually place you on the pyramid.

In addition, one chapter, "Tao of Up," considers climbing the pyramid as a spiritual journey with wisdom that can be used in everyday life.

If you're a traveler going to the Chichen Itza pyramid, you'll want this excellent guide. If you've already experienced the pyramid's power, you'll treasure this unique memento of your journey.

Combining unique travel choices, outdoor adventures, and little-known locales into guides where vacations meet adventures, each title in the Hidden series also offers readers the comfort of detailed maps, internet information for each listing, author picks, suggested itineraries, and walking and driving tours. While Cancun has transformed from a small fishing village into multi-billion dollar tropical resorts -- and this book does recommend the best of them -- the true focus of this guide are the natural attractions, authentic historical sites, and outdoor activities of the Yucatan peninsula. Because so many of the Yucatan's attractions are obvious (Chitzen Itza's pyramids, the white-sand beaches), the less conspicuous can go unnoticed. For example, less than five percent of the visitors to Cancun make the short journey to the charming colonial capital of Merida. Hidden Cancun and the Yucatan always encourages readers to venture further, offering the descriptions and detailed information that will make them feel comfortable exploring lesser-visited areas. Details on 42 beaches, including 41 with swimming, 18 with snorkeling, 13 with windsurfing, 14 with beach hikes, and 12 with beach camping, are offered.