Along the Inca Road: A Woman's Journey into an Ancient Empire

by Karin Muller

Release Date: 01 September, 2000

Edition: Hardcover

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Great Read

I just returned from two months in Peru. "Along the Inca Road" was an inspiration. It encouraged me to become more of a participant and less of a spectator. I made more friends and had experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life. South Americans are a warm and welcoming people. In my limited experience, they seem to prefer visitors who join in than those who just stand off to one side. I was given candles at saint`s festivals and swept along in parades. And anyone who says a single foreign woman can muscle in on South American men has obviously never been south of the border! If they let you join them it is on their terms, and only because they want you there.

"Along the Inca Road" is entertaining and the people in it are very engaging. The scope of this journey was awesome and the book moves along quickly, but Muller includes a good deal of interesting history and cultural background. The map could have been better -- I really wanted to know where those remote villages were along the way. The photos were stunning. The cover is too complicated.

Wonderful romp through a significant part of South America.

Muller is a wonderful travel writer with the ability to make even the mundane come alive. Her way with words ("The main square was full of Saturday-night drunks all walking like wobbly bowling pins") keeps you reading on to find out where she will land next, and among whom. From helicopter crashes to street festivals, Karin Muller follows this ancient road, and allows serendipity to play its hand. She encounters not only the absurd and strange (having your head beaten with a guinea pig to find out your disease or ailment), but the beautiful and sublime ("people who reached out to help a stranger through a day of violence and despair").

Her travels follow the famed Inca Road. This ancient highway reached from Equador down to Chile, and played a critical role in homogenizing the Inca Civilization. I have been to South America over a dozen times in the past six years and her highly entertaining stories ring true.

There is a significant weakness to this book - the lack of maps. I find it a bit baffling, that National Geographic, curator of some of the world best maps, failed to include any quality maps of a journey that snakes down and around South America. Rather, National Geographic gives you one decrepit and confusing black and white map of South America. BUT! They do include 26 excellent color photographs. Go figure.

In 'Along the Inca Road', Karin Muller gives you more than just a great read, she furnishes you with provocative and informative insights into both the history of the Inca and their culture. This is a wonderful book and will be enjoyed by all who appreciate the Inca culture, South America and great travel writing. You should read this book. 4 1/2 Stars Recommended