The engrossing lithographs by Catherwood also help readers and travelers to perceive the Mayan Yucatan villages that existed more than 160 years ago. By accommodating the views of the times and the travelled Yucatan culture and geographical area, Stephens portrays the era as a period in which European cultural exclusivity was the accepted custom. Through his eyes, Stephen writes a book that many consider among the most interesting books of travel. The book’s narrative is also quite engrossing, prompting the reader to take up the place of the author and illustrator in the 19th century scenery. As a result of the engrossing nature of the book, Incidents of Travel in Yucatan has managed to the stand the test of time up to the 21st …show more content…
Through the use of a camera and a journal, the author ensured the book can be adopted and used by modern travelers and students of Mayan history. Also, that the author used the technique of meeting the people of the Maya makes the book loved by ethnography students and lovers. Stephens did not just quickly peruse some displayed social and cultural artifacts and sites to collect information for the book; instead, he personally walked among and met the Mayan people to collect firsthand information. After travelling and meeting Mayans, Stephens and his illustrator brought the collected information to the student and the traveler worlds in the form of a book. The book is also characteristic of Stephens' passion, easy and nonjudgmental style, and adventurous spirit, which yielded the extraordinary