There is no question that the more you learn about Guatemala, its language and people -- the more you will enjoy your trip. We recommend you take a Spanish language course -- even if just to learn a few basic words. In addition, here's a list of books and web sites that should be helpful.

Silence on the Mountain by Daniel Wilkinson - This is the best book I've read on Guatemala. A must for understanding the origins of Guatemala's "violent years".

Guatemala A Natural Destination by Richard Mahler - good background information and all around travel guide. In addition, Richard teaches a travel writing course with us.

Hidden Guatemala by Richard Harris - good background information and all around travel guide. In addition, Richard (yes, both of them) teaches a travel writing course with us.

Out of the Dump / Writings and Photographs by Children from Guatemala edited by Nancy McGirr and Kristin Franklin Ñ a wonderful book by the children in Nancy's project FOTOKIDS.

Rituals of Sacrifice by Vincent Stanzione (a great guy who lives up at the lake.)

I, Rigoberto Menchu by Rigoberto Menchu. She won 1992 Nobel Peace Prize for this book. Hard reading, but definitely worthwhile.

Granddaughters of Corn by Marilyn Anderson - recommended by Karen Searle, one of our instructors.

Tejiendo los Sucesos en el Tiempo/Weaving Events in Time by Calixta Gabriel Xiquin - Calixta often does a Mayan ceremony for our classes. This is a bilingual book of poetry - and I think only available in Guatemala.

Guatemalan Textiles Today by Marilyn Anderson - recommended by Karen Searle.

Maya Cosmogenises 2012 by Jenkins - about the Mayan Calendar (I just read this and it was FASCINATING !!!! Read it, and if you like it take our Mayan Culture class with Betty Chancey)

Walking to Las Milpas by Villatoro Marcos - highly recommended by one of our participants

We Were Taught to Plant Corn, Not to Kill by Tax'a Leon and Douglas London (recommended by one of our students)

Searching for Everado by Jennifer Harbury (A story of love, war and the CIA in Guatemala) - recommended by one of our writing students.

Hummingbird House by Patricia Henley - recommended by Laurie O'Brien - one of our instructors.

Techniques of Guatemalan Weaving by Lena Bjerregaard - published in 1977 by Van Nostrand Reinhold Co - recommended by one of our weaving students (Jacqueline Jacobs).

Inside Guatemala by Thomas Barry

Unfinished Conquest by Victor..... Photos by Daniel Chauche - an American photographer who lives in Antigua

Endangered Peoples by Art Davidson - photos by Art Wolfe & John Isam

Strong Wind, The Green Pope and The Eyes of the Interred by Miguel Angel Asturias

The Maya - by Michael Coe

The Popul Vuh - the Ancient Book of Mayan Legends - there are various translations of this book.

Mayan Folktales by James Sexton

A Forest of Kings - the Untold Story of the Maya by Linda Schele & David Freidel

Maya Cosmos by David Freidel, Linda Schele & Joy Parker

Aztec and Maya Myths by Karl Taube

The Blood of Kings by Linda Schele & Mary Ellen Miller

Time Among the Maya (Contemporary travels) Ronald Wright

The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya - Mary Ellen Miller & Karl Taube

The Heart of the Sky - Travels Among the Maya by Peter Canby

Breath on the Mirror by Dennis Tedlock

The Civilization of the Mayas by J Eric and S Thompson

Belizian Rain Forest Ñ Robert Horowitz and Jonathan Lyom; good resource for plants/animals

The World Wide Web As any of you who cruise the web know, the amount of information available is mind-boggling. Hopefully this list will make your cruising more manageable.

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