Review by Booklist Review
The resilience, hopeful determination, and beauty of present-day Maya in Guatemala are dramatically presented in this collection of color photographs, taken by Hoepker between 1990 and 1997. The power of good photography is, obviously, in its visual impact, and Hoepker's shots are very potent, indeed. Brief, very moving and well-written narrative provides historical background and contemporary context. With the end of a 36-year-old civil war and successes in deciphering ancient Mayan hieroglyphs (a literary culture older than the Spanish), and after 500 years of religious and cultural persecution, the Maya are finally able to reconnect with their ancestral heritage. They can now openly practice their ancient religious rites, officially use their indigenous language, locate the bodies of the dead, and honor the sacrifice of those whose lives were lost. These stunning images expose the horrors of violent oppression and capture the amazing endurance and spiritual strength of the Maya. --Grace Fill
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
