Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time

About twenty years ago and before Machu Picchu became such a popular tourist destination, a co-worker of mine did the Inca Trail hike and gave a slide show presentation that drew gasps and sighs from her audience of cubicle worker bees. Twenty years later and feeling thirty years older, I'm still fascinated with Machu Picchu and hope to see it in person before I am too feeble to move. When I heard a new book on the subject had been published, I snatched it up. The day after it arrived from Amazon, I had to go to the DMV so I brought the book to have something to read during the anticipated wait. While most people waiting at the DMV quietly pray for death to end their misery, I was completely engrossed by the book and was laughing out loud. Laughing out loud while at the DMV. That should give you an idea of how funny Mark Adams is. "Turn Right at Machu Picchu" is a pleasure to read. The humor, often self-deprecating, is sprinkled liberally throughout. Adams can build up slowly to a punchline or toss off a one-line zinger out of left field with equal ease. In the meantime, the book is also packed full of information presented in a clear, understandable and thorough way so you don't even realize how much you're learning. The end notes also include a good selection of reference materials and useful information about visiting Machu Picchu for readers with travel aspirations. I devoured this book in less than a week, then went back and reread my favorite parts the next day. I've given copies of this book to friends and family members who also hope to visit Machu Picchu, and they've all told me how the book exceeded their expectations. My boyfriend is reading it now and is also very impressed. He read "Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond several years ago and was disappointed that Diamond didn't cover more of the back story about why the Inca empire didn't survive. This book provides that information. For people who want to learn about Machu Picchu or just want an amusing non-fiction read, I unreservedly recommend this book.

Author Mark Adams has produced an enjoyable book that is part travel log, part history, and part archeology. He visits Peru and ancient Inca archeological sites with a knowledgable cast of characters. He tries to recreate some of the experiences of the (re)discoverer of World Heritage Site Machu Picchu Hiram Bingham III. Bingham stumbled onto jungle-encrusted Machu Picchu on July 24, 1911. Although others knew of the existence of the ruins, Bingham brought them to world-wide attention and almost overnight prominence. Adams alternates among his present-day experience, Bingham's experience, and the thoughts on the Incas (the builders) in the 1400-1500 times frame to attempt to explain the original purpose of Machu Pichu. Its a good read, providing you are interested in the Incas or South American history. Its a quick read.

I bought the Kindle edition because I was going to Peru with my wife, liked the premise of the book, and wanted to read it while in the plane and anywhere. I read it to my wife in the plane and during the first part of our trip to Peru, when we were visiting Lima first and then Nueva Cajamarca in the north. I starting reading and was totally absorbed by the great adventure of the author in walking the original route that Hiram Bingham III took in 1911 to "discover" Machu Picchu. The stories of his travel companions (all extremely interesting characters), the great humor (I was laughing after reading several passages), and the sense that you are actually walking with him as he describes everything he saw, the feelings and the history of the whole region, of the Incas, and of Hiram Bingham III. The description of Machu Picchu is excellent. I would recommend anyone going there to read that chapter. The book includes great maps of the region and excellent historical photos at the end of the book and photos of the travel companions. In short, you will really enjoy this book. You will get to know where the model for Indiana Jones came from and during sunrise Machu Picchu during the winter solstice in June 21-24. You will feel you are living it. But you must go there. It's spectacular. Finally, visit also other towns in the Sacred Valley (Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Las Salineras, Maras, Pisaq, and obviously Cusco). And when you go to Chinchero, go the "El Carajo" restaurant. I have been told many times in my life to go to "el carajo", but I finally reached it. Great food and service!

The comparisons to Bryson's various travelogues are fair, but incomplete. Turn Right at Machu Picchu is quite akin to another of my favorites, "The Orchid Thief" in which our author provides substantial, well researched background and history within the framework of his own attempt to retrace the steps of the protagonist. The discovery of Machu Picchu is not likely to be something that most people spend any time considering, but that's what makes this work so compelling. It's something you likely know little about (a "discovery") a place you have seen photos of and might have nothing more than a mild interest in....but by the end, you've learned a considerable amount and can appreciate what our fearless guide went through to bring the story to you. This is non-fiction at its best....engaging, light, but well researched and informative. Note that the historical research is impeccable and judgmental when appropriate. There are a few seemingly throwaway lines that a reader may respond to with "wow, tell me more about THAT." Usually, Adams does, eventually, get around to fully informing the reader on even the most tedious elements of the historical story. The fun of the read, though, really comes from his personal journey. A fun and interesting read.

I read this while I was on holiday in Peru visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu. The book has an easy, interesting and amusing style but it is also full of interesting information about the Incas, the conquest of Peru by the Spanish under Francisco Pizarro, the 're-discovery' of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and the author's experience of following the arduous route that Bingham took on his journey to Machu Picchu. The book gave me a much better understanding than the local guides about the meaning and context of the ruins. I would recommend it to anyone who is thinking about taking the trip.

Such an easy read and some fun facts about the history. Really enjoying it.

Es una novela histórica muy entretenida. Un buen libro para pasar el rato.

Ótimo livro. Descreve o caminho feito até MAchu-Picchu. Para os leitores mais exigentes, ressalto que este produto é paperback

Arrived on time and in good condition.