John Stephens was an American diplomat sent by the U.S. government in the 1840s to establish contact with the people of Central America and Southern Mexico, and in many cases was the first white visitor to explore major Mayan ruins such as Tikal, Copan, Chichen Itza and Uxmal. It's fascinating to compare life in the region today with how it was 150 years ago, and to identify the remnants of it that still survive. Accompanied by sublime engravings of the Mayan ruins made by Frederick Catherwood, a British artist who accompanied Stephens on his travels. ( )