Jungle of Stone by William Carlsen

This was a terrific book!  Although I'm interested in the ancient history of the Americas, I don't think that was the pull for me here.  I believe it was my fascination with the process of discovery of ancient history itself.

And that's exactly what this book delivers.  It's the page-turning story of two 19th century men, New York City attorney John L. Stevens, and English-born architect/artist Frank Catherwood.  Their story is gripping, extremely well told by Carlsen.

I enjoyed it much as I have the stories of discovery of the great early archaeologists and adventurers, Petry, Schliemann, Layard, Carter, Belzoni, etc.  But this had the added advantage of being told by a 21st century writer, providing an additional layer of modern scholarship.  Carlsen tactly informs the reader when the ideas of Stevens and Catherwood were mistaken, something that happened infrequently.

Perhaps another trip to Central America should enter our plans.  Ancient Mayan sites are littered across the Mexican Yucatan, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.  Where to visit???