The True History of Cozumel is an impeccably researched, iconoclastic account of the island's past that offers the reader accurate, detailed information that often disproves the dross masquerading as history found in tourist guide books, websites, and the like. By combing governmental archives, privately-held rare documents, and university microfilm collections, Hajovsky is able to explain through the presentation of first-hand accounts just how interesting Cozumel's history turns out to be. Chapters in the book run the gamut from: Pirates' testimony obtained through torture in the cells of the Holy Inquisition; The near annexation of Cozumel by the Republic of Texas in 1837; The role of Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry in the resettlement of the island in 1848; Abraham Lincoln's attempt to buy Cozumel and use it as a colony to house freed, black slaves; The original "Indiana Jones" and his search for German spies on the island in WWI; General López de Santa Ana's role in developing the chewing gum fad that brought the island riches; To talking crosses, one-armed Christ statues, parrot-eating boas, and cannibalistic islanders.

A guide to the Mayan Ruins of San Gervasio on the island of Cozumel, Mexico. The guide begins with a description of Cozumel's early history, starting with the earliest pre-Maya inhabitants, continuing through the Mayan period of occupation and the island's subsequent discovery and conquest by the Spanish. Other sections include descriptions of Mayan culture, religion, writing system, mathematics, and daily life. The guide also contains a self-guided tour of San Gervasio, which leads the reader building by building through the site and contains floor plans, reconstructed views of the original structures, and descriptions of their use and history. The final section of the book describes the workings and history of the Mayan calendar and the relevance of the date 2012 to the Mayan Long Count.

An eyewitness account of the conquest of Mexico (1519-1522); in this volume foot soldier Díaz joins Cortés' army.

The Maya forged one of the greatest societies in the history of the ancient Americas and in all of human history. Long before contact with Europeans, Maya communities built spectacular cities with large, well-fed large populations. They mastered the visual arts, and developed a sophisticated writing system that recorded extraordinary knowledge in calendrics, mathematics, and astronomy. The Maya achieved all this without area-wide centralized control. There was never a single, unified Maya state or empire, but always numerous, evolving ethnic groups speaking dozens of distinct Mayan languages. The people we call "Maya" never thought of themselves as such; yet something definable, unique, and endlessly fascinating - what we call Maya culture - has clearly existed for millennia. So what was their self-identity and how did Maya civilization come to be "invented?" With the Maya historically subdivided and misunderstood in so many ways, the pursuit of what made them "the Maya" is all the more important. In this Very Short Introduction, Restall and Solari explore the themes of Maya identity, city-state political culture, art and architecture, the Maya concept of the cosmos, and the Maya experience of contact with including invasion by outsiders. Despite its brevity, this book is unique for its treatment of all periods of Maya civilization, from its origins to the present.

"I was a walking bankroll, wearing $150,000 worth of jewelry and carrying as much as $40,000 cash in my pockets. Yet my friends asked: "how are you doing?" I'd sometimes reply, "miserable. I hate every second of my life, and I do not know why." Jorge ValdesAll his dreams for wealth and power came true. Then the nightmare began.As a young man in his twenties with an insatiable thirst for money and power, Jorge Valdes worked his way up inside Colombia's powerful Medellin drug cartel. His key position as head of U.S. Operations brought him into direct contact with presidents, generals, Hollywood celebrities, hired killers and kidnappers. This Cuban immigrant, raised in poverty, was living the high life in more ways than one. His deeds took him from the lap of luxury to the depths of prison and back again.Then an incredible thing happened: Jorge Valdes encountered a person much more powerful than the strongest drug lord, someone who offered something more satisfying than women, drugs, money, prestige and power.Reading more like a fast paced novel of intrigue than a traditional biography, coming clean: the true story of a cocaine drug lord and his unexpected encounter offers an insider's view of the drug industry and the greed that drives it. Told that he would never be anything but a twice convicted drug dealer; today, dr. Jorge l. Valdes, who holds a master degree from Wheaton college and a PhD. In new testament studies from Loyola University in Chicago, is a renowned national speaker who brings a message of hope, forgiveness and the power to change. He has been featured in numerous magazine covers and appeared in many national and international television and radio programs.

More than 3 million travelers visit Cancun each year. Now, this guide presents complete information on the hotels, restaurants, and nightspots of Cancun, Cozumel, and the Caribbean coast's "Corredor Turisto". Also included is complete information on the region's wilderness, wildlife preserves, and more. All tourist facilities are given a "green rating" reflecting their commitment to the region's ecology.