Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan, Vol. 1


Read by Sue Anderson

(4.6 stars; 36 reviews)

The year is 1838. The scene is the dense Honduran forest along the Copán River. Two men, John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood, are about to rediscover Mayan civilization. Their guide, slashing through the rampant growth with his machete, leads them to a structure with steps up the side, shaped like a pyramid. Next they see a stone column, fourteen feet high, sculptured on the front with a portrait of a man, “solemn, stern and well fitted to excite terror,” covered on the sides with hieroglyphics, and with workmanship “equal to the finest monuments of the Egyptians.” Stephens records these discoveries and also his travels in Central America, where he had been sent by President Van Buren as special ambassador to the ill-fated Republic of Central America. The republic being engulfed in civil war when Stephens arrives in Guatemala, he finds himself dodging revolutionary armies while he hunts for a “legitimate government” to which to present his credentials. Catherwood, meanwhile, directs his immense artistic talent to illustrating views of Mayan architecture. Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan was a best seller in its day and has been called an “Indiana Jones” saga by modern reviewers. (Summary by Sue Anderson) (15 hr 11 min)

Chapters

01 - Arrival at Balize; A Visit to the Carib Indians 44:23 Read by Sue Anderson
02 - Perils by the Way; A well-spiced Lunch 45:25 Read by Sue Anderson
03 - How to roast a Fowl; How to gain a Husband 40:40 Read by Sue Anderson
04 - Arrest; Imprisonment 34:38 Read by Sue Anderson
05 - The State of Honduras; Village of Copan 35:41 Read by Sue Anderson
06 - First View of the Ruins; Thoughts of Buying Copan 32:14 Read by Sue Anderson
07 - Commencement of Explorations; Buying a City 34:50 Read by Sue Anderson
08 - Tablets of Hieroglyphics; Idols Originally Painted 33:36 Read by Sue Anderson
09 - Antiquity of Copan; Separation 31:12 Read by Sue Anderson
10 - Esquipulas; A Death Scene 36:23 Read by Sue Anderson
11 - Murder of Vice-President Flores; Political State of Guatemala 40:28 Read by Sue Anderson
12 - Lazoing; Taking the Black Veil 34:31 Read by Sue Anderson
13 - The Farewell of the Nun; Carrera Heads the Insurgents 38:20 Read by Sue Anderson
14 - Interview with Carrera; His Character 37:10 Read by Sue Anderson
15 - Party to Mixco; A Night Brawl 33:40 Read by Sue Anderson
16 - Volcano de Agua; Cultivation of Cochineal 37:30 Read by Sue Anderson
17 - Arrival at the Pacific; A Roving American 37:04 Read by Sue Anderson
18 - Arrival of Mr. Catherwood; New Year's Day 30:54 Read by Sue Anderson
19 - Hunt for a Government; Attack of Fever and Ague 36:23 Read by Sue Anderson
20 - Visit to the Volcano of Izalco; Sickness and Mutiny 36:00 Read by Sue Anderson
21 - Zillenthal Patent Self-acting Cold Amalgamation Machine; Coffee Plantation… 37:43 Read by Sue Anderson
22 - View of the Two Seas; Departure for Guatemala 34:59 Read by Sue Anderson
23 - Herds of Deer; An Earthquake 33:59 Read by Sue Anderson
24 - Belle of Guanacaste; Route of the Great Canal 37:41 Read by Sue Anderson
25 - Survey of the Canal; Horrors of Civil War 35:38 Read by Sue Anderson

Reviews

incidents of travel in central America volume 1


(5 stars)

Fabulous true adventure story. Thank you Sue Anderson for your wonderful read. Librivox is wonderful.


(5 stars)

Extremely interesting narrative of travels and the state of the political situation in mid 19th century Central America.

nice glimpse at south America at the turn.of the century


(3.5 stars)


(4.5 stars)

It’s better than an actual vacation trip Very enjoyable

lots of fun and interesting history of Central America


(5 stars)

eat your heart out - Indiana


(5 stars)