Books - The Rough Guide to Belize - page 255

Ì Ronald Wright Time Among the Maya . A vivid,
sympathetic and humorous account of travels in the late
1980s from Belize through Guatemala, Chiapas and
Yucatán, meeting the Maya and exploring their obsession
with time. Also investigates the violence that occurred
throughout the 1980s. Superb historical insights.

Colville Young Creole Proverbs of Belize . A wonderful
compilation of oral folk-wisdom, written by the
distinguished linguist and present governor-general.
Sayings and proverbs are written in Kriol and English, and
then explained. See also Pataki Full , an anthology of
Belizean short stories.

HISTORY AND ARCHEOLOGY
O. Nigel Bolland Colonialism and Resistance in Belize:
Essays in Historical Sociology . The 2003 edition is a
comprehensive academic study of Belize, covering
colonization, slavery and the progress of Creole culture and
nationalism with an emphasis on labour. A compelling and
convincing analysis.
Michael Coe The Maya . Now in its eighth edition, this
clear and comprehensive guide to Maya archeology is the
best on offer.
David Drew The Lost Chronicles of the Maya Kings .
Readable and engaging; an up-to-date account of ancient
Maya political history with alliances and rivalries skilfully
unravelled, and a revealing analysis of late Classic Maya
power struggles.
Joyce Kelly An Archaeological Guide to Northern Central
America . Practical guide to Maya sites and museums in four
countries; an essential companion for travelling the Maya
world. Still the most detailed guide available to the Maya
sites of Belize, if slightly dated.
Simon Martin and Nikolai Grube Chronicle of the Maya
Kings and Queens . Highly acclaimed work based on
epigraphic studies and re-readings of glyphs. Historical

records of key Maya cities like Tikal and Caracol, plus
biographies of 152 kings and four queens, and all the
key battles.
Heather McKillop Salt: White Gold of the Ancient Maya . A
groundbreaking work demonstrating that the salt traded
throughout the great lowland Maya cities was produced on
the coast of Belize, at previously unknown underwater
sites.
Ì John Montgomery Tikal: An Illustrated History of the
Ancient Maya Capital . The most readable book on Tikal,
packed with fascinating history and general information,
with a chronology of major Maya events. His other topics
include A Dictionary of Maya Hieroglyphs .
Ì The Popol Vuh . The great creation myth poem of the
K'iche' (Quiche) Maya of the Guatemalan highlands, written
shortly after the conquest and intended to preserve the
K'iche' people's knowledge of their history. It's an amazing
swirl of fantastic gods and mortals who become gods. The
best version is translated by Dennis Tedlock.
Various authors Readings in Belizean History . Updated
version of a highly acclaimed textbook, with essays by
Belizean scholars offering deep insights.