One of the most extraordinary works of the human imagination and the most important text in the native languages of the Americas, Popul Vuh: The Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life was first made accessible to the public 10 years ago. This new edition retains the quality of the original translation, has been enriched, and includes 20 new illustrations, maps, drawings, and photos.
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One of the most extraordinary works of the human imagination and the most important text in the native languages of the Americas, Popul Vuh: The Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life was first made accessible to the public 10 years ago. This new edition retains the quality of the original translation, has been enriched, and includes 20 new illustrations, maps, drawings, and photos.
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Seller's Description:
New York. 1985. May 1985. Simon & Schuster. 1st American Edition. Very Good in Dustjacket. 067145241x. 380 pages. hardcover. Jacket design by Karen Katz. keywords: Mythology Latin America. FROM THE PUBLISHER-The Popol Vuh is the most important single text in the native languages of the Americas. It is unique among the books produced by ancient civilizations, whether Old World or New, in balancing myth and history, beginning with the deeds of Mayan gods in the darkness of a primeval sea and ending with the radiant splendor of the Mayan lords who founded the Quiche kingdom in the Guatemalan highlands. The original Popol Vuh was in Mayan hieroglyphs, but it was rewritten in a Latin alphabet adaptation of the Quiche language in the sixteenth century~ It remained in obscurity until the mid-nineteenth century, but was quickly recognized us a great New World text. Now Dennis Tedlock, university professor of anthropology and religion at Boston University, has provided the first unabridged translation, direct from the Quiche language, that brings the Popol Vuh to life as literature. This new edition of an ancient classic, with an introduction and commentary by Tedlock, is the only translation done with the aid of contemporary priest-shamans, who still reckon time by the Mayan calendar and still perform some of the rites described in the Popol Vuh; the only edition illustrated with ancient Mayan paintings that depict the scenes described in the text; -the only edition to reveal who wrote the Popol Vuh. Taking into account recent discoveries in archeology and in the deciphering of Mayan hieroglyphs, Tedlock presents a complete picture of the remarkable Mayan civilization as it was before the coming of Europeans, and offers new insights into Mayan astronomy, religion, politics, and humor. This is the definitive edition of a New World classic. inventory #6958.
