Book Review: 'Turn Right at Machu Picchu' by Mark Adams

✰✰✰ Follow author, Mark Adams, as he makes the transition from desk editor to adventurer or rather tourist to traveler. With an idea and an obsession with Hiram Bingham III’s “discovery” of Machu Picchu, the author embarks on an adventure of a lifetime. Eschewing the Inca Trail to retrace Bingham’s footsteps, Adams learns the hard way. 

Another trip was in store, this time to walk along the Inca Trail for a very different experience. While some of the mysteries of Machu Picchu may continue to elude us, Adams sheds light others. Whether you are an armchair travel or an extreme adventurer, this will appeal to adventurers and armchair travelers alike.

The Bottom Line: The author includes very detailed information, including the history of Peru and Hiram Bingham III. Thankfully the chapters are short. Black and white photos are included, and I enjoyed studying them. I don’t know if I’ll ever go to Machu Picchu myself, but Adams does bring up some intriguing ideas and includes some helpful tips. [If I do get there, I’ll be sure to wear two pairs of socks while hiking.] Recommended for history buffs, travelers, and people interested in archaeology.

Book Club Notes: We approached this book with anticipation; however, due to the unseasonably awesome weather here in Chicagoland, several in our group did not finish it :( Comments about the book included the writing was dry, and there was simply too much detail to take in. (It was a lot.) Yet, several people hope to visit Machu Picchu someday. The premise for the book was interesting, but it was too easy to get bogged down in the minutiae of it. On a scale of 1 - 5, this was our lowest rated book this year with a rating of 2.9. Yikes!

For discussion questions, check out the Literary Gathering site, which includes a “Holiday in Peru” menu to try.

To supplement the above questions, I wrote a few of my own. Book Clubs are welcome to use these for your discussion; however, please credit this site. (Thank you!)

Introduction:

Has anyone visited Peru? Machu Picchu? What were your impressions?

What’s the difference between travelers and tourists? How is travel today ticking things off [a list]?

How does the author describe Peruvian culture?

What is the political climate of Peru?

Bingham:

Who was Hiram Bingham III? What is he famous for? 

Discuss National Geographic. What role did it play in Bingham’s success/fame? And vice versa, what role did Bingham play in National Geographic’s success as a magazine?

Is it fair to say Bingham “discovered” Machu Picchu? Or was it never forgotten? If not, what was his contribution? p. 283 Do you feel his contribution is more or less important than the discovery? 

Discuss the agreement between Yale University and Peru? p. 208  Did Bingham discover the artifacts or purchase them? p. 244 Should the artifacts be returned? Discuss. 

Eliane Karp-Toledo likens Bingham to a grave robber? Do you agree or disagree? p. 211

Discuss Bingham’s change of careers from Professor/Explorer to Military/Aviation to Politician.

Discuss the Bingham/Indiana Jones connection.

How did Bingham get the last word at age 70? Why did he rewrite the accounts of what happened?

The Incan People & Civilization:

What are some of the highlights of Peruvian history?

Discuss Incan religion. 

What do you think the purpose of Machu Picchu was? What had it actually been? p. 242 Will we ever know for sure? 

What is significant about Peru’s architectural wonders? (Connect to environment & one another.) p. 197

Is Machu Picchu actually the Lost City of the Incas? p. 227

About the Author & Guides: 

What is your impression of the author? What inspired him to undertake this journey? 

Why did the author want to avoid the Inca Trail? p. 196

The author’s guide, John, says, “I didn’t like school. The educational system was flawed. They didn’t teach you how to live.” p. 88 Do you agree or disagree. Why? 

The author’s second guide, Efrain, said,” A lot of people don’t believe things they can’t read in a book…so many things can’t be found in books.” Do you agree or disagree? p. 270 

Miscellaneous: 

Who was Annie S. Peck? What is she famous for? Discuss the challenges of women travelers. p. 151 

How has social media changed travel? p. 296

Are there still places to be discovered? How has technology (Drones, Google maps, etc.) changed exploration or travel? 

How has travel to Machu Picchu changed in the years since the author visited & wrote this book? 

The author asks, “Considering how popular it’s become, is Machu Picchu still worth seeing at all? 

Discuss the writing style.

How did the photographs add to the text?

Ratings 1 - 5. And summarize why you liked or didn’t like the book.

[Please credit this site. Thank you!]

And last but not least, Adams references Rudyard Kipling’s poem, The Explorer, a couple of times. For those interested in reading the poem in its entirety, visit the Kipling Society website.    

Details: Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time by Mark Adams. Paperback published by Dutton in 2012. 333 p. ISBN: 978-0-452-29798-2 

Book Review: 'The Gift of the Tree' by Alvin Tresselt

✰✰✰✰✰ A grand oak tree has stood in a forest for a very long time. Home to birds and animals, the tree is beginning to lose its limbs one by one. Over time, the tree completely falls apart. However, even in death, there is new life in the forest. Check out this fantastic story of renewal and rebirth.

The Bottom Line: This entire picture book is a work of art illustrating the circle of life through an oak tree. Originally published under the title The Dead Tree, this informative classic takes the reader from stage to stage as the old tree dies and becomes part of the Earth again. Highly recommended for kids in grades 3 & 4 who are interested in science and biology. As a fan of natural science, I would have adored this as a kid.

Details: The Gift of the Tree written by Alvin Tresselt & illustrated by Henri Sorensen. Hardcover picture book published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books in 1992. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-688-10684-3 

Book Review: 'Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat' by Tracy Gold

✰✰✰✰✰ Follow an adorable little bat as it goes "trick-or-treating" to find yummy bugs to munch on. He searches high and low to find the crunchy Halloween treats up in the sky and down on the ground. With large print and rhyming words, this book is perfect for kiddos just learning to read.

The Bottom Line: This adorable little picture book with rhyming verse and digitally created full color art is sure to please little ones. It's just so cute and a tiny bit spooky. And as an added bonus, the back of the book features several pages with awesome facts about bats. Check out this super adorable book for some seasonal, fall fun.

Details: Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat words by Tracy C. Gold & pictures by Nancy Leschnikoff. Hardcover picture book published by Sourcebooks Explore in 2021. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1-7282-3329-1 

Book Review: 'How to Scare a Ghost' by Jean Reagan

✰✰✰✰ Chock full of tips for those wanting to scare a ghost, young readers will find information ranging from attracting a ghost to making sure it is real to playing with a ghost and more. There’s even tips for things you can do with your ghost and going trick-or-treating with your ghost. If you've ever wondered how to deal with a ghost, this book will get you started.

The Bottom Line: This humorous and fun Halloween treat is filled with colorful and engaging digitally created illustrations. This would be a fun book to read during storytime or simply aloud with your little one. Enthusiastically recommended for spooky holiday reading.

Details: How to Scare a Ghost (How To Series) written by Jean Reagan & illustrated by Lee Wildish. Picture book published by Knopf Books for Young Readers in 2018. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-5247-0190-1

Book Review: 'Trick or Treat on Scary Street' by Lance Bass

✰✰✰✰½ It’s Halloween, and like a carnival barker, one little trick-or-treater entices the others to follow him down Scary Street. It’s dark and spooky, but oh so intriguing. What will they find? Enter a gingerbread house or haunted mansion, if you dare. One by one they dwindle down from a group of thirteen to a lone trick-or-treater. What’s in store for him at the end of Scary Street? The answer will surprise you!

The Bottom Line: I absolutely adore Garrigue’s dark, spooky, atmospheric illustrations in purples, blacks, yellows, and oranges. Written with rhymes, kids will find it easy to follow along. This spooktakular treat is highly recommended seasonal reading for kids ages ages 5 - 9 who enjoy picture books with spookier, darker images.

Details: Trick or Treat on Scary Street written by Lance Bass & illustrated by Roland Garrigue. Picture book published by Union Square Kids in 2024. 40 p. ISBN: 978-1454952176

Book Review: 'Just Say Boo!' by Susan Hood

✰✰✰½ If you’ve ever wondered what to say when encountering a spooky friend or foe, Just Say Boo! has just the right words for you. For all types of spooky situations like encounters with wind, wet leaves, skeletons, and dinosaurs, this book has the answers. Don’t know what to say when you receive a treat? Just look it up here. Scared of bugs? Just look it up here. And wondering how to deal with a crying baby? Look no further. Check out this book for seasonal answers. 

The Bottom Line: With catchy rhyming verses and festive, autumnal watercolor illustrations, this seasonal picture book will delight kids ages 3 - 7. It is especially helpful for bashful children who might wonder what to say in new situations or for little ones a tiny bit afraid of some spooky fun. 

Details: Just Say Boo! written by Susan Hood & illustrated by Jed Henry. Picture book published by Harper in 2012. 32 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-201029-2 

Book Review: 'Body on Ice: A Vermont Murder Mystery' by Alan S. Kessler

✰✰✰✰ A pastor's wife, known for her contributions as a Red Cross Volunteer, has hidden a secret life for years. When she's found dead under scandalous circumstances, her secret comes to light. Her marriage has been a sham, and she has enjoyed the "sporting" life. There's no shortage of suspects, but with city corruption manipulating the investigation, it's questionable whether justice will ever be served. This fast-paced story of sex, lies, and corruption will keep your attention as you try to keep track of the clues. 1919 was definitely a year to be remembered.

The Bottom Line: Based on a true story, this novella keeps you guessing with twists and turns and layers of corruption. Just when you think you have it figured out, there’s a surprise at the end. This is a page-turner that left me wishing it had been longer. Enthusiastically recommended for adult fans of mystery based on true events.

Details: Body on Ice: A Vermont Murder Mystery by Alan S. Kessler. Paperback published by Leviathan Books in 2024. 110 p. 978-1938394850 [NOTE: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible via the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.]