The Maya (Ninth Edition)

By: Michael D. Coe, Stephen Houston

Narrated by: Gary Tiedemann

The Maya has long been established as the best, most accessible introduction to the New World's greatest ancient civilization. Coe and Houston update this classic by distilling the latest scholarship for the general listener and student.

This new edition incorporates the most recent archaeological and epigraphic research, which continues to proceed at a fast pace. Among the finest new discoveries are spectacular stucco sculptures at El Zotz and Holmul, which reveal surprising aspects of Maya royalty and the founding of dynasties. Dramatic refinements in our understanding of the pace of developments of the Maya civilization have led scholars to perceive a pattern of rapid bursts of building and political formation. Other finds include the discovery of the earliest known occupant of the region, the Hoyo Negro girl, recovered from an underwater cavern in the Yucatan peninsula, along with new evidence for the first architecture at Ceibal.

©1966, 1980, 1984, 1987, 1993, 1999, 2005, and 2011 Michael D. Coe; this edition copyright 2015 by Michael D. Coe and Stephen Houston (P)2020 Tantor

Outstanding overall look at the Maya

Comprehensive while being very accessible to the casual student of mesoamerica. A great place to start a more focused study of the subject.

The authority on the Maya

If you are wanting a comprehensive overview of Maya history, culture (past and present), ruins, beliefs, art and more then look no further. Michael D. Coe, now sadly deceased, was and still is the foremost expert on the Maya and his book The Maya showcases that body knowledge beautifully. The organization of the book fits a functional and narrative understanding of their development and history while liberally sprinkling archaeological excavations and research into the chapters. The addition of Stephen Houston allows for a fascinating development on the topics to update them to the most recent edition. This book will have you ready to go explore the glorious world of the Maya, both past and present, and give you a base knowledge to research further on your own. I loved this as an audiobook (the reader is Gary Tiedeman who had a lovely inflection and great pronunciation) and print book.

Dr. Michael Coe was the best

Dr. Coe will be missed by anyone who has a love for Mayan archeology. I listened to hours at a time to this book. I plan on playing it again soon.

Pronunciation

Of course, this is an authoritative review of Maya archeology. I just want to add my appreciation of Mr. Tiedemann's genuine effort to correctly pronounce the Spanish and Maya words. Thank you.

Don't Skip This Book

If you're interesting in the Mayan civilization(s) and Mayan history in general you will love this book. My only problem with the book is that it's not twice as long, Because it looks and sounds like a textbook with the original edition being published half a century ago I worried it would be out of date and overly pedantic to the average listener, it wasn't at all. Some people might need a map of the cities being discussed at times if they're unfamiliar with the Mayan sites but it's easy enough to Google and follow along. I put off getting this book for months and now it's my favorite I've listened to in months.

Great but you need to be aware of the sites on a map

Greatly enjoyed. Not hard to understand except you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the locations on a map. Very well structured and narrated.

Great overview

Really enjoyed it, although I felt it was written with an ethno-bias that may have been common in the 1960s, but has no place in current scholarship. The new author would do well to remove these biases in future editions.