I purchased this book as I have other books that Kraig Leib has photograhed. In my opinion, this is his best work. He captures the essence of the people of Guatemala through his lens. He is able to do this as people are going about their everyday life, you feel you are ‘with’ them during each photo; but it is natural and never posed.

The photography captures the expressions of the individuals and you feel as if you know exactly what they are thinking and feeling. The colors are stunning and well balanced.

The cover captures a large vista of a ciy–that as you ‘enter’ the book, you feel you have decended that vista and are now into the lives of the people photographed. This is a stunning piece of artwork to match the fabulous writing of Michael Shapiro.

I’d highly recommend.

By Mary Kay (Spring Mills, PA USA)

There are few places left in the world where the people are as naturally photogenic as the Maya descendants in Guatemala. Michael Shapiro shares excerpts from an up close look in words and pictures.

“Guate, Guate! ” the barker shouts, announcing the destination of the vividly colored bus and imploring riders to get on board. “Alle, alle!” (Let’s go!) he calls, telling passengers to hop on because the bus, an old hand–me–down from a U.S. school district painted in a swirling rainbow of colors, is about to roll from Antigua to Guatemala City. The barker, the bus driver’s assistant, vaults onto the roof and pulls up big baskets of fruits and vegetables from the outstretched arms of the indigenous people below.

As the bus begins to chug towards Guatemala City, he ties down the packages to the roof rack and leaps like an acrobat down the back of the bus and in through the back door. Then he presses up the bus’s crammed aisle, collecting fares from workers and families, crammed five or six people to a green bench seat. The buses here are run by private companies, so they’re eager to pack in as many riders as they can. A local joke asks: “How many people can fit in a Guatemalan bus? Dos mas, dos mas! ” (Two more, two more!).

Continue reading the full review at the Perceptive Travel web site.

Cover of Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya

Kraig Lieb and Michael Shapiro celebrate the publication of Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya with a book launch party at Copperfield’s Books in Sebastopol, California on Friday, November 7th. In addition to Michael’s evocative descriptions, the coffee-table book is filled with gorgeous photos. Lieb, a photographer for Lonely Planet, will show slides illuminating the land, traditions and celebrations of the Maya in Guatemala. Shapiro, who wrote the text for this pictorial book, will address questions about traveling to Guatemala and the best places to see there. More info on Michael’s website.

Friday, Nov. 7th, 7pm
Copperfield’s Books
138 N. Main St.
Sebastopol, California
U.S.A.
707-823-2618
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Cover of Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya

Kraig Lieb and Michael Shapiro celebrate the publication of Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya with a book launch party at Book Passage in Corte Madera on Saturday, November 8th. In addition to Michael’s evocative descriptions, the coffee-table book is filled with gorgeous photos. Lieb, a photographer for Lonely Planet, will show slides illuminating the land, traditions and celebrations of the Maya in Guatemala. Shapiro, who wrote the text for this pictorial book, will address questions about traveling to Guatemala and the best places to see there. More info on Michael’s website.

Saturday, Nov. 8th, at 7 p.m.
Book Passage
51 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Corte Madera, California
U.S.A.
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