Before the Maya’s endangered way of life disappears completely, it is essential to attempt to understand the culture and heritage of these people…
— Bruce T. Martin

Comprising one hundred black and white photographs by photographer Bruce T. Martin, Look Close / See Far offers an intimate portrait of the Maya, a people struggling to balance the demands of contemporary life with the traditions of their ancestors. Depicting locations across Central America, this collection holds incredible power. Each image reflects photographer Bruce T. Martin’s personal connection with the communities he portrays, and offers an invaluable record of the Maya at a crucial moment in their cultural history. Martin faithfully documents the Maya homeland, their natural surroundings, historical sites and artifacts, hoping to share them before they are lost forever.

As a people, the Maya have endured numerous and dramatic transformations, including those that followed the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. Their strong cultural and spiritual identity, which is fundamentally intertwined with their land and ancestral history, has allowed them to survive even the most monumental changes. Look Close, See Far examines this fascinating history of survival, but urges us to acknowledge the threats that the Maya face today. This is an essential book for anyone aware of the sudden shifts taking place in the wake of globalization.

BRUCE T. MARTIN, a native of Natick, MA, has traveled throughout the Maya regions over the course of fifteen years, collecting the images used in this book. His work has been shown at numerous galleries and museums throughout the U.S. and Central America.

DR. ALLEN J. CHRISTENSON of Brigham Young University and archaeologists SHOSHAUNNA PARKS and Dr. PATRICIA A. MCNANY of Boston University contribute enlightening essays.

November 2007
9 x 9 in., 144 pages, 100 b/w photographs
ISBN: 978-0-8076-1589-8
Hardback, $34.95 (Canada $43.50)