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La Tierra de Los Incas: Exploraciones En Las Montañas del Per{u
Hiram Bingham, famoso por dar a conocer al mundo la ciudad perdida de Machu Picchu relata en este libro sus aventuras y descubrimientos en las Expediciones que la Universidad de Yale y la National Geographic Society enviaron a Per� en 1911-1912 y 1915.
362 pages, Paperback
Published January 19, 2019
About the author
Hiram Bingham
124 books13 followersHiram Bingham III was an academic, explorer, treasure hunter and politician from the United States. He made public the existence of the Quechua citadel of Machu Picchu in 1911 with the guidance of local indigenous farmers. Later, Bingham served as a member of the United States Senate.
Bingham was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Hiram Bingham II (1831–1908), an early Protestant missionary to the Kingdom of Hawai'i, the grandson of Hiram Bingham I (1789–1869), another missionary.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
Bingham was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Hiram Bingham II (1831–1908), an early Protestant missionary to the Kingdom of Hawai'i, the grandson of Hiram Bingham I (1789–1869), another missionary.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 16, 2013
Explorer and Yale archeologist Hiram Bingham chronicles his travels through Peru, leading to his discovery of one of the last Inca capitals, his ascent of the 21,763-foot Mt. Coropuma, and eventually the 'discovery' of the Inca city Machu Picchu.
It is still disputed in some circles as to whether Bingham really 'discovered' the ancient city, but, however, Inca Lands does make rather interesting reading, and a most exciting real life exploration adventure...
It is still disputed in some circles as to whether Bingham really 'discovered' the ancient city, but, however, Inca Lands does make rather interesting reading, and a most exciting real life exploration adventure...
January 6, 2016
After hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, I thought it would be a worthwhile activity to read Bingham's account of "discovery." (Note that Bingham's credited discovery is very Western-centric; even he doesn't dignify the suggestion that he was the first to find the site).
If you're reading to find out how Bingham happened upon Machu Picchu, I think you'd be disappointed, as even Bingham didn't--at first--realize what it was or its grandeur. Rather, he walks by it, barely giving it a mention. In fact, this book is predominantly focused on other Andean expeditions; Machu Picchu is given cursory (thought beautiful) accolades only at the end.
Obviously included are Bingham's patriarchal misogynies (women being forced to be photographed) and stereotypical Western solipsisms (savages!; aboriginals!).
Half of this book is a fun look at adventure, most specifically the earlier chapters of mountain climbing. The other half is academically boring: lists of birds and the dimensions of buildings. Read for the former, stomach the latter.
If you're reading to find out how Bingham happened upon Machu Picchu, I think you'd be disappointed, as even Bingham didn't--at first--realize what it was or its grandeur. Rather, he walks by it, barely giving it a mention. In fact, this book is predominantly focused on other Andean expeditions; Machu Picchu is given cursory (thought beautiful) accolades only at the end.
Obviously included are Bingham's patriarchal misogynies (women being forced to be photographed) and stereotypical Western solipsisms (savages!; aboriginals!).
Half of this book is a fun look at adventure, most specifically the earlier chapters of mountain climbing. The other half is academically boring: lists of birds and the dimensions of buildings. Read for the former, stomach the latter.
Want to Read
May 17, 2015http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10772
Opening: A kind friend in Bolivia once placed in my hands a copy of a most interesting book by the late E. George Squier, entitled “Peru. Travel and Exploration in the Land of the Incas.” In that volume is a marvelous picture of the Apurimac Valley. In the foreground is a delicate suspension bridge which commences at a tunnel in the face of a precipitous cliff and hangs in mid-air at great height above the swirling waters of the “great speaker.” In the distance, towering above a mass of stupendous mountains, is a magnificent snow-capped peak. The desire to see the Apurimac and experience the thrill of crossing that bridge decided me in favor of an overland journey to Lima.
May 11, 2015
While a lot of this account has been disproved since its publication, it is still a very interesting read. It is far from being perfect, in fact, several parts are problematic to the contemporary reader (especially Bingham's observations of the "Indian race"), but as a historical text, it is fascinating. Bingham had more love for landscape and nature than for people, but he did recognize Machu Picchu for a site that could be worthy of international attention. His memoirs are indulgent, but still interesting to read in the context of the history of explorations.
June 7, 2020
Although it’s a landmark book about a landmark event, I found much of the first part of the book hard to slog through. I guess I was in a hurry to get to the part where he actually finds Machu Picchu. Much of the other material just did not pique my interest very much. That picked up from about Chapter 10 on. It is very interesting to read his perceptions of what he found, told from the perspective of someone writing in 1922 about an event that took place 10 years earlier. it’s particularly interesting if you’ve actually been there, as I was in 2008, which was my main motivation for reading this book.
October 21, 2023
Didn’t finish this coz Hiram’s narration is so ignorant and his descriptions of the land, people, and voyage are very boring. I wanted to see the tale about the 9 year old boy who led Hiram to the lost city of Machu Picchu but that section was at the end of the book and I lost interest.
July 28, 2020
I did not finish as it got a bit long and repetitive and seemed too centered in Hiram and not enough on the people who had been there first.
February 20, 2012
An fascinating and interesting read from probably one of the last great explorers of the late 19th and early 20th C. Travelling from tropical (almost) sea level to alpine conditions high up in the Andes in just one day must have been an experience-and-a-half, especially with the kit that was available in 1911.
While it could be argued that the Incas already had earned the "been there, done that" T-shirt a millennia before, Bingham was arguably the first white man (I hesitate to use the word European if only because Bingham was American) to travel the ancient paths of the Inca - at least he was the first modern white man as there is no record if any of the Spanish Conquistadores made it thus far. If they did, then it is unlikely they survived as no record made it back from the New World. If a record had survived then it is almost certain the Conquistadores would have paid a visit to Macchu Piccu with what would have been distasterous consequences for the Inca.
That this book has been republished to help the descendants of the Inca, now living in the shanty towns of Lima, Peru, is somewhat poignant.
While it could be argued that the Incas already had earned the "been there, done that" T-shirt a millennia before, Bingham was arguably the first white man (I hesitate to use the word European if only because Bingham was American) to travel the ancient paths of the Inca - at least he was the first modern white man as there is no record if any of the Spanish Conquistadores made it thus far. If they did, then it is unlikely they survived as no record made it back from the New World. If a record had survived then it is almost certain the Conquistadores would have paid a visit to Macchu Piccu with what would have been distasterous consequences for the Inca.
That this book has been republished to help the descendants of the Inca, now living in the shanty towns of Lima, Peru, is somewhat poignant.
September 25, 2014
Although Bingham can only be said to have "discovered" Machu Picchu in the same way Columbus can be said to have "discovered" America, the young Yale professor, adventurer and future senator's explorations and adventures in Peru from 1911 to 1915 are a really great read.
He covers a lot of the same territory that a modern tourist is likely to see -- Arequipa, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Cusco and of course Machu Picchu -- and much of his commentary on Peruvian history, culture and geography remains relevant today. If you're not interested in mountain climbing, skip the first few chapters on his team's ascent of Coropuna.
And although not without fault, his treatment of native Peruvians and the Incan empire is more respectful and sensitive than I was at first expecting.
He covers a lot of the same territory that a modern tourist is likely to see -- Arequipa, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Cusco and of course Machu Picchu -- and much of his commentary on Peruvian history, culture and geography remains relevant today. If you're not interested in mountain climbing, skip the first few chapters on his team's ascent of Coropuna.
And although not without fault, his treatment of native Peruvians and the Incan empire is more respectful and sensitive than I was at first expecting.
August 26, 2012
If you have being to Peru is very easy to recognized and imagine the views and experiences described by Hiram while traveling through this beautiful country. This amazing adventure, is not only inspiring but it educates the reader, is very informative. Even thou I would not say he discover Machu Pichu (Hiram even mentioned in his book someone being there before him) you cant help to give him all the credit for the sites popularity today, since he did everything in his power (and contacts at the time) to clean up the place and gave it the value it deserved.
If you are planning to visit Peru you should definitely read this book!
If you are planning to visit Peru you should definitely read this book!
April 10, 2016
FINALLY finished this book! I enjoy reading about early scientific explorations, and Bingham's search for ancient Inca cities that were mentioned in historical documents certainly qualifies. But this guy does NOT know how to tell a story. This book is a jumble of descriptions of historical records, travel preparations, natural history observations, and truly hair-raising travelogues. The difficulty in following the story was compounded by the hideously scanned electronic version from Google's Internet Library. If you want to read this, get your hands on a printed copy.
August 11, 2016
Lots of fun. Like a real life Indiana Jones! It's a bit dry at points, but what the hey he was a scientist not Stephen King.
Sure he uses some dated terms and holds some dated ideologies... but guess what? This book is almost 100 years old! We don't have to agree with or approve of his terms and ideologies, and "it was just the times" does not excuse them, but let's not let this detract from the historical significance of this book or Hiram Bingham's expeditions!
Sure he uses some dated terms and holds some dated ideologies... but guess what? This book is almost 100 years old! We don't have to agree with or approve of his terms and ideologies, and "it was just the times" does not excuse them, but let's not let this detract from the historical significance of this book or Hiram Bingham's expeditions!
January 5, 2021
Inca Land, Chapter 17 “Discovery of Machu Picchu” (1920)
This chapter as the title indicates describes the Yale Professor’s discovery of the Machu Picchu in 1911.
I visited the site in November 1979 when there were probably far fewer tourists than visit now. It was a revelation for me to reach it after several days of getting there from Lima, as it was no doubt for Hiram Bingham.
This chapter as the title indicates describes the Yale Professor’s discovery of the Machu Picchu in 1911.
I visited the site in November 1979 when there were probably far fewer tourists than visit now. It was a revelation for me to reach it after several days of getting there from Lima, as it was no doubt for Hiram Bingham.
February 6, 2011
An interesting view into the early 20th century business of exploration for science and history, though I suspect that he is down playing the difficulties of the trip. It gives the story of how they found the ruins of lost cities and tried to match them with existing conquistador histories.
July 11, 2011
I read this book on a trip to South America during which I visited Machu Picchu. The book brought to life the amazing story of the search for the "lost city" of the Incas by explorers, and Hiram Bingham in particular. It filled ins pieces of Peruvian and Incan history
May 5, 2012
Interesting history about the Incan civilization and the topography of the land they cultivated. The author's description of how they traveled the Incan lands made you feel as if you were experiencing the struggles with the explorers. Fun to read and extremely informative.
February 8, 2014
I really enjoyed this book and certainly recommend it!
I finished this a few days before traveling to Machu Picchu and found the trip to be much more insightful with the background information I read here.
I finished this a few days before traveling to Machu Picchu and found the trip to be much more insightful with the background information I read here.
July 10, 2013
Hiram Bingham is a giant due to his discovery of Mach Pichu. This book follows some of his travels to through Peru and culminates in Machu Pichu. It's a must read for anyone interested in the Inca people.
July 15, 2014
Loved traveling through Peru with the explorer Hiram Bingham in search of the last Inca stronghold. Along the way he found Macchu Picchu in 1911, and later his great grandson was mission companions with my dad in Peru, which then inspired me to go see it. Circle of life.
January 5, 2015
Amazing true life discovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham
May 3, 2011
Dude, you pompous ass. You didn't "discover" anything. The only thing you did was some yard work, and then steal a bunch of stuff from the Inca people. Nice going!
May 25, 2012
Kind of interesting to those interested in the discovery of the region.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews