MEXICAN KALEIDOSCOPE: AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR TONY BURTON

I recently had a chat with geographer and author Tony Burton about his latest book Mexican Kaleidoscope: myths, mysteries, and mystique (Sombrero Books, 2016, 165 pages), a wide-ranging collection of  informative and often surprising vignettes gathered from Mexico's rich history and culture. Tony's unique book brings to light many little-known facts about this fascinating country and its people. A copy belongs on the bookshelf of every serious Mexicophile. 




JM: You have been writing about Mexico for many years, what first got you interested in the country?

Tony: Necessity! I was teaching geography in the Caribbean and the examination syllabus required a study of Mexico. The Mexican chapters in Robert West and John P. Augelli's wonderful book Middle America: Its Lands and Peoples were familiar friends by the time I spent the summer of 1977 touring the southern half of Mexico. Two years later, I returned to teach geography in Mexico City. The complexity of Mexico's geography kept me hooked, which is why I jumped at the opportunity a few years ago to collaborate with Dr. Richard Rhoda to write Geo-Mexico, the Geography and Dynamics of Modern Mexico. Amazingly, that book (published to coincide with Mexico's bicentenary celebrations in 2010) turned out to be the first ever English-language, college-level book devoted to Mexico's geography. (For more details, see geo-mexico.com)

JM: What prompted you to write Mexican Kaleidoscope?

Tony: I'd been planning to write a book along these lines for a number of years but only got sufficiently organized to carry through on the plan last year! One of my main motivations was that (to the best of my knowledge) no similar book for the general reader had been published in the past forty years. An incredible amount of interesting academic research has been done on Mexico over that time, leading to reevaluations and reinterpretations of many former ideas and beliefs. I wanted to make readers aware of some of these extraordinary developments, which continually refuel my passionate interest in Mexico.

JM: How did you come up with the title?

Tony: The title Mexican Kaleidoscope is a nod to a British writer, Norman Pelham Wright, whose own collection of essays, with the same title, was published in 1948. That book was an eye-opener for me when I first began to get intimately acquainted with Mexico more than forty years ago. The subtitle Myths, Mysteries and Mystique came from a suggestion by one of my regular golfing partners (who had read an early draft of the book) as we played the 11^th hole at Cottonwood Golf Course.

JM: A lot of research must have gone into this book. How long did it take you to write it? What were some of the challenges?

Tony: The research was done sporadically over more than twenty years, in conjunction with other writing projects. The main challenge was that because Mexico is such a fascinating country it was hard to decide what to include and what to omit!

JM: Mexican Kaleidoscope has 30 chapters. Which ones are your favorites? Why?

Tony: That's a great question, but actually I prefer not to answer since I hope readers will find and enjoy their own favorites. What I can say is that each and every chapter has come to mean far more to me than is expressed by mere words on a page. I really hope some of my enthusiasm comes through to readers.

JM: The book is illustrated by Mexican artist Enrique Velázquez. What do you think his drawings add to the text?

Tony: I've known Enrique and his family for many, many years. He has a keen interest in the subject matter and an uncanny ability to portray ideas in just a few lines. I originally envisioned using small, inline drawings to break up the text, much in the manner of old-time illustrators, but his final drawings were far too good for that, so we changed track and gave them the prominence and space they merit.

JM: What do you hope readers will take away from Mexican Kaleidoscope?

Tony: That's a tough question since I think it depends on what readers bring to the process. At the very least I'd like the book to cause readers to stop and think, to be occasionally surprised, and perhaps question things that they may have previously thought or heard about Mexico. As I've written elsewhere, Mexico is not always an easy country to understand but any effort to do so always seems to bring rich reward!

JM: Do you have any other books about Mexico in the works?

Tony: Yes. I'm hoping to complete a companion volume to Mexican Kaleidoscope by the second half of this year. Whereas Mexican Kaleidoscope focuses primarily on history and culture, the next book (title still under wraps) focuses on Mexico’s astonishingly varied natural history (flora and fauna) and its cultural connections. I'm also actively researching material for books about the twentieth century history of the Lake Chapala region, and about the development of that area's literary and artistic community. For that last project, I've begun publishing short profiles of some of the key players at sombrerobooks.com.

JM: How can Mexico Premiere fans order a copy of Mexican Kaleidoscope?

Tony: Both print and Kindle editions of Mexican Kaleidoscope are available via all Amazon sites - amazon.com, amazon.ca, etc. There are also ebook versions for Kobo and other ereaders via iTunes, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords. Readers in the Lake Chapala area can find the book in local stores such as La Nueva Posada, Diane Pearl Collections, Mi México and in Enrique Velázquez's art gallery. I also have a limited number of copies that can be signed and personally dedicated for Mexico Premiere fans if they contact me via sales@sombrerobooks.com

PREVIOUS BOOKS BY TONY BURTON
Western Mexico,  A Traveler's Treasury (4th edition)
Chapala Through the Ages;  an anthology of travellers' tales (2008)
Co-author of Geo-Mexico, the geography and dynamics of modern Mexico

Mundo Maya 2012 Celebrations

The ancient Maya viewed time as cyclical, and on December 21, 2012, the Maya Long Count calendar will reset itself to zero like a cosmic odometer, thus completing a cycle of 5,125 years. This portentous date may or may not herald a new age of enlightenment for mankind or signal the end of the world as various self-proclaimed prophets and doomsayers predict. But one thing is certain: there are going to be celebrations of all things Maya held throughout 2012 in the region known as the Mundo Maya.

To help travelers plan for these diverse events, Avalon Travel has just released MOON MAYA 2012: A Guide to Celebrations in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize & Honduras. The guide's author Joshua Berman manages to pack an impressive amount of information into this slim volume's 115 pages. There are chapters devoted to all four countries comprising the Mundo Maya. Included are descriptions of Maya archaeological sites, maps and directions, plus sections on 2012 tours, community tourism, and hotel packages. Each of these chapters begins with a first-person narrative -- something seldom found in today's guidebooks -- based on Joshua Berman's extensive travels in the region.

Sprinkled throughout the guide are interviews with archaeologists, authors, and other experts on the Maya. A concluding chapter supplies background on history and the Maya Long Count, as well as lists of relevant books, websites and films. There are even glossaries of words and common expressions in Yucatec and Tzotzil, two of the most widely spoken Maya languages. In short, this innovative and useful guide belongs in the backpack of anyone heading off to experience the Mundo Maya in 2012.

Also check out my post on Ten Places to visit in the Mundo Maya Before December 2012

An Uncommon Guide to San Miguel de Allende

I've been a fan of of American photographer and author Robert de Gast's work since the mid-1990's when I came across his book The Doors of San Miguel de Allende in which he published his wonderful photographs of San Miguel de Allende's Spanish colonial doorways. Robert de Gast went on to create two more alluring photography books about San Miguel entitled Behind the Doors of San Miguel de Allende,and The Churches and Chapels of San Miguel de Allende

Robert de Gast's latest book The World of San Miguel de Allende: An Uncommon Guide is something of a departure from his earlier work in that it is a guidebook. Unlike regular travel guides, this one does not center around supplying practical information (although general topics such as climate and transportation are covered). Rather this well-researched book lives up to its name as an "uncommon guide" by exploring San Miguel mainly through its history and architecture. In addition, the book is printed on high-quality paper and is lavishly illustrated with the author's own photos, so it doesn't look like a typical destination guide..

The book opens with a general introduction to San Miguel de Allende and a chapter that traces the origins of the town back to pre-Hispanic times. These are followed by sections on historical neighborhoods, street names and the town's eccentric house-numbering system, fountains (San Miguel has over four dozen), church bells, and even door knockers. Also included are biographies of notable citizens from San Miguel's past, an events calendar,  plus descriptions of nearby places worth visiting. In short, this is a guide for travelers who want to explore San Miguel de Allende in depth and also for those who simply want a beautiful keepsake about a town that they love.

One Hundred & One Beautiful Small Towns in Mexico

Every once in a while I come across a book about Latin America that is so inspiring I feel compelled to spread the word. One Hundred & One Beautiful Small Towns in Mexico (101 Beautiful Small Towns) by Guillermo Garcia Oropeza and Cristobal Garcia Sanchez is just such a work. Published in 2008 by Rizzoli International Publications, this generously illustrated coffee table book introduces readers to some of the most alluring places in Mexico. Spanish colonial towns, seaside villages, and even pre-Hispanic ruins are grouped by geographic regions, and almost every state in the country is represented. Lively text giving detailed historical background accompanies the eye-catching photos. Plus an appendix lists addresses of state and municipal tourism offices, hotels, and restaurants, making this a guide that should appeal to both armchair and active travelers who have a passion for Mexico.

Here is slide-show of some of small and not-so-small towns that I have visited in Mexico. Move the cursor over the screen to view captions. Click on individual  photos to see larger versions and for information about ordering prints or downloading files for personal, editorial or commercial use.


Small Towns of Mexico - Images by John Mitchell

A Guidebook for Mexico Archaeology Addicts

I confess that I’m a ruins junkie. I just can’t seem to get enough of exploring ancient Mayan temples and climbing Aztec pyramids. Year after year, the mystery and stark beauty of Mexico’s pre-Hispanic ruins keep me coming back for more.

Over the decades, I’ve accumulated a large stash of archaeology guidebooks to feed my habit. But the one I always reach for first is Archaeological Mexico: A Traveler's Guide to Ancient Cities and Sacred Sitesby Andrew Coe. The son of two well-known anthropologists, Andrew Coe grew up visiting Mexican archaeological sites, and his enthusiasm for them comes through on every page.

Coe provides historical and touring information about popular sites such as Chichen Itza, Teotihuacan, and Monte Alban, along with dozens of less-visited ruins throughout Mexico. However, what is really outstanding about this book is how Coe examines the archaeological record and attempts to cut through questionable myths that have grown up around many of Mexico's pre-Columbian civilizations.

Each chapter of the book highlights a different geographical region, and Coe ranks archaeological sites by assigning them different numbers of trowels. For example, Four Trowels indicate “a world-class site, a must for every visitor,” and One Trowel denotes a site for the "indefatigable archaeological tourist." Coe also includes useful maps and sidebars on special topics relating to Mexican archaeology.

Unfortunately, the latest version (2nd edition, 2001) of this indispensable guide can now be a bit difficult to track down, and some of the practical information is out-of-date. Needless to say, I keep praying to the gods that Avalon Travel Publishing will provide me with a new fix in the form of an updated and expanded edition.

Move the cursor over the slide-show below to view captions. Click on images to see information about ordering prints or downloading images for personal, editorial, or commercial use.


Ancient Cities of Mexico - Images by John Mitchell

Mexican Pleasures

When people ask me what my favorite Mexico guidebook is, I don’t come back with the latest edition of Lonely Planet or Frommer’s (although both have their merits), but rather a book that has been out of print for almost two decades, Mexico Places and Pleasures by Kate Simon.

The first edition of Mexico Places and Pleasures was published in 1962, and the last one appeared in 1988, two years before its author died of cancer at the age of 77. Kate Simon, whose real name was Kaila Grobsmith, was a Polish immigrant who grew up in New York City. Cosmopolitan and well traveled, she penned a number of literate and popular guidebooks, including ones on Italy, Paris, London and Rome.

What make Mexico Places and Pleasures so special are its unrepentant subjectivity plus the fact that it is as much a travel memoir as it is a guidebook. Unlike most of today’s travel guides, which tend be long on practicalities and short on fun, Kate Simon’s book is full of vivid descriptions of places that she clearly loves, colorful vignettes of daily life, humorous insights into the Mexican character, and judgments that are usually -- but not always -- kind. Information about hotels, restaurants, transportation and the like is given, but it always takes the back seat (best to consult Lonely Planet for this).

Finding a copy of Mexican Places and Pleasures could be difficult these days, and I’m not about to sell mine. However, if you can track down a salsa-stained used copy, scoop it up. It just might prove to be worth its weight in Aztec gold.

Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos

While attending Tianguis 2008 in Acapulco, I came across a beautifully illustrated English-language special guidebook to Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos that has been published by México Desconocido. The 175-page guide entitled Mexico's Magical Towns describes 35 towns found in every region of the country and supplies maps along with information about sightseeing, local handicrafts, food, and transportation. These communities have been given special tourism status because of their exceptional cultural or historical value. Some of them are located close to main highways and can be easily reached by public bus. Others are well off the beaten path and require considerably more effort to visit.

The latest town to be added to the "Magical Towns" list is Capulalpam de Mendez situated in a thickly forested area 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the city of Oaxaca. This isolated community is known for its 17th-century Dominican Church of Saint Matthew, which has 15 baroque altarpieces. So far, I've made it to more than a dozen Pueblos Mágicos and, with the help of the new México Desconocido guide, I hope to add at least another dozen to my collection.

Mexico: A Traveler's Literary Companion

Books have always been some of my favourite travel companions. I especially like reading works that give me some insight into the country I happen to be visiting. On my last trip to Mexico, I took along Mexico: A Traveler's Literary Companion,edited by C.M. Mayo. This compact volume is a blend of fictional short stories, book excerpts, and literary musings. Selections are organized by regions and cover the entire country of Mexico from its northern deserts bordering the United States to the jungles of the Yucatán Peninsula. The writings impart a strong sense of place, and they show this geographically and culturally diverse land through the eyes of some of its most perceptive contemporary writers. A highly recommendable travel companion for anyone looking to explore the literary side of Mexico.

Mexican Days Review

Anyone who loves Mexico will enjoy Tony Cohan’s new travel book Mexican Days: Journeys into the Heart of Mexicoin which he embarks on spontaneous voyages to both obscure and well-trodden areas of the country. Cohan’s peregrinations take him to the Sierra Gorda region where he visits Las Pozas, a surrealist sculpture park created by an eccentric Englishman, plus a chain of isolated 18th-century missions built by a zealous Franciscan monk. Cohan also explores the history-laden streets of Mexico City, communes with disinterred mummies in quirky Guanajuato, and lingers in the bohemian coffee shops of mist-enveloped Xalapa.

He goes on to reconnect with old friends and places he has visited in the past: Oaxaca, Cohan discovers, is undergoing a cultural renaissance; magnificent Chichén Itzá has been overrun by tourists; but the jungle-shrouded Maya ruins at Palenque have retained much of their solitude and mystery. Cohan shows the same insight and gentle humor that he did in his 2000 bestseller On Mexican Time: A New Life in San Miguel de AllendeCohan obviously finds his adopted country endlessly rewarding, and he describes it with both eloquence and great affection.

The Green Labyrinth

Some people view travel as a means of escape, while others see it as a quest for adventure and understanding. Canadian writer Sylvia Fraser, author of clearly fits into the latter group. In her most recent travel book The Green Labyrinth: Exploring the Mysteries of the Amazon,Fraser ventures into the heart of the Peruvian Amazon to study the practices of shamans, native healers who use herbs and psychic methods to treat their patients’ emotional, physical, and spiritual problems. She also wants to experiment with ayahuasca, a powerful visionary plant medicine whose name means “vine of the dead.”

Fraser stays at isolated shamanic retreats where she revels in the tropical rain forest’s beauty and its diversity of flora and fauna. As someone who “missed the psychedelic sixties and rarely takes so much as an aspirin,” Fraser admits that the prospect of drinking ayahuasca terrifies her. She confronts her fears, however, and ends up ingesting ayahuasca eight times with the help of shaman guides. Along with visions, the powerful medicine causes bouts of intense nausea and vomiting. Fraser persists despite these ordeals, and her experiences with ayahuasca yield some surprising and valuable insights into the mystical world of South American shamanism.

The Panama Hat Trail

Good travel books on Ecuador are hard to find. One that I can heartily recommend is The Panama Hat Trailwritten by American writer Tom Miller during the mid 1980’s. The author sets out to understand Ecuador through one of its principle icons and biggest exports, the so-called “Panama hat.” Miller begins by explaining that these popular straw hats are correctly called sombreros de paja toquilla. They came to be known as Panama hats because 19th-century American prospectors used to buy them in Panama while en route to the gold fields of California.

Miller tracks the production of these symbolic hats from the weaving town of Montecristi, which is famous for its fine quality hats, on Ecuador’s steamy west coast to the high Andes. His revealing tales about the exploitation of indigenous hat-makers and his speculations about the role the Panama hat trade has played in shaping Ecuador's history make for an instructive and entertaining read. Above all, Miller shows a genuine love of this beautiful South American country and its welcoming inhabitants. Here is one of my favourite lines from the book:

“To me, Ecuador has been a country with its head in the clouds, its heart on its sleeve, and its groin to the ground.” –Tom Miller

Moon on the Rise

I've always used Lonely Planet travel guides religiously, but the third edition of Moon's Oaxaca Handbook might have turned me into a convert. I took the new Moon Handbook along on my recent trip to Oaxaca and was really impressed by the thorough job done by its author, Bruce Whipperman. Service listings are extensive, and there is oodles of well-researched information on history, geography, culture, archaeology, and little-visited destinations. Whipperman's writing is clear, concise, and peppered with interesting facts and asides. The book is also liberally illustrated with his funky black-and-white photos. My only real complaint is that the maps are not indexed, a shortcoming shared with other Moon Handbooks. Lonely Planet still produces many worthwhile guides. However, if LP continues to rest on its corporate laurels and offer us increasingly bland fare, Moon will definitely be on the rise.

Oaxaca Journal

Until I came across Oliver Sack's latest book Oaxaca Journal,I had never heard of the term pteridologist, which apparently means "an expert in the study of ferns." Besides being a fern enthusiast and a neurologist, Sacks is a perceptive and empathetic travel writer. His journal is based on a ten-day tour of the biologically diverse state of Oaxaca that he took with fellow members of the American Fern Society. Sacks eruditely describes the varied flora and fauna that he encounters on his journey. He also paints insightful and affectionate portraits of his eccentric traveling companions and of this culturally rich area of Mexico. The result is a book that will appeal to both fern-lovers and Mexicophiles alike.

Humboldt's Cosmos

One thing that I would like to do in this blog is pass along the names of worthwhile books that I come across in my travels. During my recent visit to Oaxaca, I bumped into Humboldt's Cosmos at the wonderful Librería Amate bookstore on the Alcalá pedestrian mall. This well-researched and highly readable book by Gerard Helfrich deals with the life and writings of Alexander von Humboldt, perhaps the most famous and influential of the New World's 18th-century explorers. Charles Darwin was inspired by Humboldt's writings, as were many other great thinkers. Here is what Ralph Waldo Emerson had to say about Humboldt:

"Humboldt was one of the wonders of the world, like Aristotle, like Julius Caesar...who appear from time to time as if to show us the possibilities of the human mind, the force and range of the faculties - a universal man."