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Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time Audiobook
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(3.01) - 2,553 listener ratings
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"What happens when an unadventurous adventure writer tries to re-create the original expedition to Machu Picchu? In 1911, Hiram Bingham III climbed into the Andes Mountains of Peru and "discovered" Machu Picchu. While history has recast Bingham as a villain who stole both priceless artifacts and credit for finding the great archeological site, Mark Adams set out to retrace the explorer's perilous path in search of the truth-except he'd written about adventure far more than he'd actually lived it. In fact, he'd never even slept in a tent. Turn Right at Machu Picchu is Adams' fascinating and funny account of his journey through some of the world's most majestic, historic, and remote landscapes guided only by a hard-as-nails Australian survivalist and one nagging question: Just what was Machu Picchu? "
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"I've done quite a bit of backpacking in the Sierras, in the snow, rain, and deserts, but I've never experienced anything like what this book tells of. Macchu Picchu is the famed once-lost city of the Incas, now a popular travel destination for tourists. The author of this book decides to undertake the trek to the city, via the Inca trail. This is a long, arduous path leading through the heart of Mexico, through the brutal conditions of the region. Adams decided to undergo the trek as material for a book, and also to satiate a need to experience something new. As someone who's done several hundred miles of backpacking over dozens of trips, it was interesting reading about the challenges and rewards of undergoing such an ambitious trip. The writing was fairly straightforward in the book, but was easy and interesting to read. While occasionally slightly dry, overall the book was a detailed and entertaining account of a remarkable journey. I'd recommend this to anyone who's interested in backpacking, travel, or the Incas, as there's few people who are able to describe the journey in such detail and depth."
— Kai (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Ebullient…Seamlessly joins three narrative threads…An engaging and sometimes hilarious book.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“[An] entirely delightful book.”
— Washington Post -
“Adams deftly weaves together Inca history, Bingham’s story and his own less heroic escapade…[A] wry, revealing romp through the Andes.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“Adams deftly weaves together two story lines, each peopled with striking characters and astonishing landscapes…Overlaid on this extensively researched and entertaining historical framework is the author’s humorous recounting of his personal and physical transformation during the demanding trek…A funny, erudite retrospection offering more subtle and lasting rewards than the usual package tour.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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Washington Post Best Book
Turn Right at Machu Picchu Listener Reviews
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" Great combination of present day travel and the history of Machu Picchu as it became known to the world 100 years ago. "
— Leslee, 2/18/2014 -
" Wish I could give it 3-1/2 stars. Just the right amount of history (for me) without being dead-boring, this tale of the author's introduction and trips to the Machu Picchu area was so interesting. Too, Adams has this great way of injecting sarcasm and when it's least expected. "
— Sue, 2/16/2014 -
" I read this book in preparation for my own trip to Machu Picchu. I only had time to read one in-depth account of the site and its surroundings, and I am very glad I chose this one over the several available. Mark Adams perfectly mixes scholarly and entertaining, scientific and sacred. The book moves at a good pace, not dragging in the middle or getting bogged down by details. Plus, I learned a lot about the place I will be visiting: its history from ancient to present, its relationship to other Incan sites and to Incan beliefs, and a little bit about what I can expect on the trek to see it. I would recommend the book to anyone interested in understanding Machu Picchu more completely, whether they plan to visit it or not. It's a very enjoyable read. "
— Toni, 2/16/2014 -
" This book sounded promising. However, I was unable to get into the author's writing style, particularly with him switching back and forth between Hiram Bingham III's journey to Machu Picchu and his own journey of mapping Bingham's steps. For his part of the journey, I don't think he did the place justice as he sort of skipped the finer details. Unlike Cheryl Strayed's "Wild," I didn't feel like I was actually trekking the Inca Trail with the author. It just wasn't a very engaging read. That being said, the book did provide some interesting information about the Inca ruins in Peru. "
— Sook-Yi, 2/14/2014 -
" Having traveled to Machu Picchu earlier this year, this book brought back all sorts of wonderful memories while they are still fresh in my mind. Adams' research into the history of Machu Picchu and its "discoverer" Hiram Bingham was quite interesting. Since there is no written record to access, Machu Picchu will always remain a mystery only adding to its appeal. "
— Herzog, 2/13/2014 -
" I enjoyed this book for the most part. The author is engaging, the subject is interesting. The book did seem to really climax about halfway through though...then it meandered for another hundred or so pages before picking up again. I loved the back and forth from past to present but I wish he'd given more time in the book to his own journey, in the 2nd half. It added a great deal to the enjoyment of Bingham's trips, by comparing them with his own. "
— Permies.world, 2/9/2014 -
" I read a different book about Machu Picchu 1 1/2 years ago...while parts of this book repeated the history described in that one, I still found this book interesting to read. The author decided to retrace Bingham's steps. I loved reading his current day hikes more than the history. The author has a great writing style. Also, he did a great job presenting the different possibilities surrounding this site as well as making me feel like I knew the people he was traveling with. Great pictures too...including the comparisons...just wish there were more. This is a place I dream to go...but now I'm thinking I at least have to hike the Inca Trail. Inspiring. "
— Lydia, 1/28/2014 -
" Great book. Loved the bits of humour thrown in by the author when describing the ups and downs (literally and figuratively) of following the earlier footsteps of Hiram Bingham in Peru. Definitely makes you want to get out and explore the world. "
— Chris, 1/21/2014 -
" If you have been to MP you will enjoy this entertaining non-fiction travel tale. It is an amazing place and if you read this you may want to go! "
— Hilary, 1/18/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this book. I haven't been to this area of Peru but I studied ancient Andean cultures in college and have always been super interested in them. The author is fun to read! "
— Samantha, 1/7/2014 -
" Great travel adventure including memorable characters and great humor combined with good historical fact and a summary of relevant current events. "
— Brandur, 1/6/2014 -
" Entertaining. Often humorous. Interesting history. "
— Jane, 12/15/2013 -
" Having just come back from Machu Pichu I wished I had read this account beforehand. There are so many Incan ruins near Machu Picchu that I didn't know about - I will have to go back and seek them out. "
— Marjorie, 12/9/2013 -
" A little history, a little adventure, great characters, setting, and pacing. Good everyman narrator draws you in. A very good armchair read. "
— Meredith, 10/22/2013 -
" Excellent book that helped me prepare for my own hike in Peru! Fun, easy to read and informative. "
— Pamela, 9/8/2013 -
" good bibliography; nice travel story by an adventure writer without adventure seeking to travel the Inca trail. "
— Proust2012, 9/4/2013 -
" Multiple narratives woven into a smart, funny, compelling story--beautiful work by Mr. Adams! "
— Joe, 8/19/2013 -
" Hilarious retelling of Bingham's journey thru the Andes - a must-read for those about to embark on a trip to Peru. "
— Saeed, 7/4/2013 -
" Fact filled travel story of the author retracing the journey of Hiram Bingham's search for the Lost City of the Incas and his discovery of Machu Picchu. "
— Joe, 6/1/2013 -
" This book made me want to go back...but take more time to enjoy! Great narrative. Great history lesson weaved in the story of the human experience "
— Isabel, 2/8/2013 -
" Really 3.5 stars. Interesting and educational, but I found it slow going at times - kind of like hiking the Inca Trail, I guess. "
— Andrea, 9/18/2012 -
" Well written, funny in places. I love how Mark Adams' journey paralels that of Hiram Bingham. Makes me want to go on an adventurous trek! "
— Tracy, 5/31/2012
About Mark Adams
Mark Adams is the author of Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time. His writing has appeared in GQ, Outside, New York Times Magazine, Fortune, Rolling Stone, and National Geographic Adventure, among others. He lives near New York City with his wife and their three sons.
About Andrew Garman
Andrew Garman is a television, film, and voice actor. His acting credits include the film Julie & Julia and appearances the television series Law & Order, Mercy, and Conviction. Among his audiobook narrations are Arcadia by Lauren Groff, Simply from Scratch by Alicia Bessette, and Love Is a Canoe by Ben Schrank, among others.