Maya architecture is often described as "massive" and "monumental;" but experiments at Copan; Honduras; convinced Elliot Abrams that 300 people could have built one of the large palaces there in only 100 days.In this groundbreaking work; Abrams explicates his theory of architectural energetics; which involves translating structures into volumes of raw and manufactured materials that are then multiplied by the time required for their production and assembly to determine the labor costs of past construction efforts. Applying this method to residential structures of the Late Classic period (A.D. 700-900) at Copan leads Abrams to posit a six-tiered hierarchic social structure of political decision making; ranging from a stratified elite to low-ranking commoners. By comparing the labor costs of construction and other economic activities; he also prompts a reconsideration of the effects of royal construction demands on commoners.How the Maya Built Their World will interest a wide audience in New and Old World anthropology; archaeology; architecture; and engineering.
#4500685 in eBooks 2010-07-31 2010-07-31File Name: B00EDI61P8
Review
45 of 48 people found the following review helpful. Fun; funny; educational and enlightening.By Gavin ScottThe book presents around 101 unusual real-world creatures that are the product of billions of years of evolution. The most bizarre looking and behaving animals (and a few plants) that the author could find. I was impressed because nearrly half the species in the book were ones Id never heard of before; so it was pretty exciting to see all these creatures that look like something from an Avatar movie sequel but which are actually real.Its presented mostly as a dialog with an anthropomorphized Evolution. Heres an example of the style:"New idea!""Mm hmm."Floppy; inflatable nose... ON AN ANTELOPE!""Evolution; are you taking this seriously at all?"This actually isnt as annoying as you might think; and the text is well written. Its light and silly and makes the book completely approachable to someone who might otherwise get bored reading a bunch of details that might be interesting only to a scientist. Just dont expect a serious scientific work. This is a picture book that basically makes fun of funny-looking animals.There are also short chapter introductions (the book is roughly organized into groups like "Awkward Solutions"; "Dirty Jokes"; etc.) and the occasional fact-boxes with greater detail about a creatures evolutionary oddity.In case youre wondering; this is a pro-evolution book in that the author clearly believes in evolution and is not making fun of the idea of evolution itself. That said; you could change the word Evolution to God throughout the book and it would be just as funny.The pictures are very good and the quality of the printing is excellent. Its about 270 pages long so theres more content than you usually get in this sort of cutesy "gift book"; and theres at least some re-readability for wanting to look up "oh yeah; what was that weird creature again?".Kids will LOVE all the pictures of funny animals. They do tend to point out the exotic mating habits and and genitalia features of creatures here and there (and no shortage of "ha; ha; it looks like a PENIS" creatures) so be prepared to gloss over or explain those possibly embarrassing questions that will result. But really theres not TOO much of that in the book.So I give it 4.5 stars (rounding up to 5) and Im glad I bought it.G.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Some of The More Humorous Evolutionary MistakesBy Frederick S. GoethelAnyone who knows anything about evolution knows about the process of natural selection working to improve the odds a of a species survival. Each gene; however; covers numerous aspects of what the final creature will become. Sometimes evolution picks good genes to pass on good survival traits; but these same genes can also have strange side effects. This book is a look at some of the stranger side effects and survival mechanisms of various species.The photography in the book is excellent. The author mixes using a question and answer format of talking to "evolution" and just explaining the various traits. I should also note that this book will pretty much punch holes in the intelligent design theories that are floating around. No "intelligent designer" would make the "oops" that are featured in this book.The discussion part can get a little annoying; but overall the book is fun and interesting. A great read for anyone interested in evolution; biology or with a curious mind.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Perfect humor level for young teenage boys; but caution about drug humorBy Kenneth I. MayerThis is a fun book for adults and for teenagers. I got it as a gift for my 11 year old nephew; and I *mostly* think the tone is perfect. If you have ever read the Tumblr "Texts From Dog" you will be familiar with the authorial voice--some patient rational "everyman" person interacting with "Evolution"; who does crazy stuff seemingly randomly.While I thought my brother and his wife would be OK with their son getting a book with WTF in the title and I believe the kid would thoroughly enjoy the scatological and immature sex references; I have second thoughts about the drug/alcohol/party humor. A bunch of creatures are presented as "Im not saying Evolution took some controlled substances at the party last night; but the next day he created THIS [some utterly inexplicable creature); so I defy you to say that he wasnt totally out of it." Its not the picture of adult life that I want to provide.There is only a thin veneer of science here; but it should spur the curious to read more about some of the creatures. I was introduced to easily 50 creatures that Id never seen or heard of; and some that Id heard of but never seen or never knew particular aspects about.