Guatemalan Journey

"Benz brings the reader face to face with the landscape, the people, and the institutions of Guatemala. I am convinced that his book will appeal to a general audience, to students entering the field of Latin American studies, and even to people planning a trip to that country. His insights into and observations of Guatemalan society are invariably accurate and engaging."

—Pablo Medina, author of Exiled Memories: A Cuban Childhood

Guatemala draws some half million tourists each year, whose brief visits to the ruins of ancient Maya cities and contemporary highland Maya villages may give them only a partial and folkloric understanding of Guatemalan society. In this vividly written travel narrative, Stephen Connely Benz explores the Guatemala that casual travelers miss, using his encounters with ordinary Guatemalans at the mall, on the streets, at soccer games, and even at the funeral of massacre victims to illuminate the social reality of Guatemala today.

The book opens with an extended section on the capital, Guatemala City, and then moves out to the more remote parts of the country where the Guatemalan Indians predominate. Benz offers us a series of intelligent and sometimes humorous perspectives on Guatemala's political history and the role of the military, the country's environmental degradation, the influence of foreign missionaries, and especially the impact of the United States on Guatemala, from governmental programs to fast food franchises.

It was well written and interesting. It was amazing how the author captured so many realities of daily life so precisely. He was able to 'bring words to life'.
If you would like to learn more about Guatemala, the complex culture, the wonderful people, the beautiful country, and the pain they have suffered, and still do in some respects, this is a must read.


Extremely Racist   September 17, 2003
 12 out of 36 found this review helpful

One of the most racist books I have ever read. Page after page
the author unrelentingly displays his complete hatred and
disgust with anyone who is white or mestizo while he endlessly
praises the perfection of the indigenous population. If you
agree with this black and white view of the world you will enjoy
this book. If you feel the real world is even slightly more
complex, then you will find this book impossible to read.


good taste of guatemala   August 14, 2003
 5 out of 7 found this review helpful

a good taste of guatemala for gringos who plan to travel there


Very good book about Guatemalan history and culture   June 10, 2002
 21 out of 21 found this review helpful

For someone who was looking for a good starting point in learing about and understanding the history and culture of Guatemala, I found this book to be an excellent read. The author's journal about his travels throughout Guatemala gave this reader a good understanding of how Guatemala, despite its small size, holds several very distincitive cultures, customs and attitiudes. The book primarily focuses on the various cultures and treatment of indigenous Indian populations throughout Guatemala, which is important in understanding why things are the way they are in the country. There is little focus on middle-class life.

While the author sometimes lapses into extended periods of criticizing travelers who visit the country (even if it well deserved) I think the book does a very good job of opening the reader up to Guatemalan culture and provides several other reading ideas for those looking to dig deeper into the country.