The Man Who Owned a Wonder of the World: The Gringo History of Mexico’s Chichen Itza

When a worldwide Internet vote declared the ancient Maya city of Chichen Itza in Yucatan, Mexico one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, the honor came with a shocking revelation–Mexico’s greatest archaeological treasure was private property! How could anyone come to own one of the archaeological crown jewels of Mexico? The answer was more incredible–the seller had been an American. Edward H. Thompson, an archaeologist, had spent decades exploring Chichen Itza at his leisure and made one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in North America. All it cost him was his reputation, his fortune, and even his life. In this gripping non-fiction narrative, award-winning writer Evan J. Albright investigates Thompson’s incredible true story by traveling to Mexico, where he uncovers the explorer’s tragic secret–the son he left behind.