The Third Edition of this classic account of the inside story of one of the major intellectual breakthroughs of our time - the last great decipherment of an ancient script revised and brought right up to date with the latest developments. 113 illustrations bring to life the people and texts that have enabled us to read the Maya script. The original edition, which sold over 40,000 copies in English, was hailed as a masterpiece that transcends the boundaries between academic and popular writing. Coes thrilling account of the cracking of Mayan is like a detective story great stuff - The Observer Told with great vigour by Professor Michael Coe, who was himself involved; he offers an insiders story with strong views of the personalities, competence and abilities of some colleagues - History Today An entertaining, enlightening and even humorous history of the great searchers after the meaning that lies in the Maya inscriptions - Anthony Burgess
--This text refers to an alternate
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`A thrilling story of academic rivalry, bigotry, chewing gum and - wait for it - penis perforation'
--The Daily Mail --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
--The Daily Mail --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Michael Coe gives a rivetting account on the decipherment of Maya glyphs through the ages. Illustrated with examples, this book is a must for all interested in the Maya.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breaking the Maya Code is a book well worth recommending to everyone interested in the Maya history and culture.
26 Mar 2013
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Breaking the Maya Code is a book well worth recommending to everyone interested in the Maya history and culture. It provides not only the history of reading the Maya writing but also gives a vivid description of the people involved and problems they encountered in the process. I was fascinated with the number of people from very different scientific backgrounds and different countries who contributed to the great breakthrough in understanding the Maya society. The book begins with a very well written introduction on linguistics - concise (just a few pages) but very helpful to readers who, like myself, know very little on the subject. All the steps on the way to decipherment are illustrated with drawings of Maya glyphs which gives invaluable help in following the thread of the story. Although the issues involved in reading the Maya script are complex and required an interdisciplinary approach, in writing the book the author managed to balance very well between scientific information and a very readable story of one great discovery and people involved.
I strongly recommend this book; it is thanks to authors like Coe that such great, complex scientific achievements can reach people who are not professionals in the field. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of the book..
I strongly recommend this book; it is thanks to authors like Coe that such great, complex scientific achievements can reach people who are not professionals in the field. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of the book..
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Really great book explaining how the stelae and glyphs in Copan and Quirigua were and are being studied. Mysteries and amazing discoveries about the old Maya civilisation keep on coming up and we discover part of these thru this book. Very interesting!
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