 
Markawasi: Peru's Inexplicable Stone Forest
Average Rating: 5.0 Total Reviews: 13
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 On: 2008-04-17
gave this book to my mom as a b-day gift, per her request and she loves it. the pictures are beautiful and it was a great armchair travel!
by: mwbookrevw On: 2007-09-06
"Markawasi: Perus Inexplicable Stone Forest" by Kathy Dore is an impressive compendium of more than four hundred full-color and informatively captioned photographs, illustrations and maps showcasing the sacred mountain country of Peru. This unique photo guidebook is more than just a collection of interesting images as the author has arranged for an engaging and informative two-page Foreword by Peter E. Schneider, followed by an extended Preface, an Introduction, and historical background to Perus Markawasi Stone Forest complete with a map and hiking routes. The rest of this elegant 176-page coffee table book is devoted to Temples of Light and Shadow (showcasing specific elements of interest); then Superbatolite Circompacifigue; Faces & Sculptures; Sons of the Ray; Fiesta del Agua; How to Go! (with festivals, village life and outfitting for the mesa); Natures Gift (medicinal plants of the mesa); and Voices of the Mesa. Of special note is the bibliographic list of suggested reading for further study. Perfect as a preparational reading for onsite visitors and an ideal browse for armchair travelers with an interest in something off the beaten path, this superbly written, organized and presented compendium is very highly recommended for personal, academic, and community library collections.
On: 2007-08-21
Kathy Doore is an exceptional human being who has lived years beyond her age. The book is truly a legacy and affirmation of the depth of her perception about the light and energy of Markawasi and Peru in general.
We are blessed to have Kathy living in this time warp. I am delighted that I own being one of her best friends. To know her is to understand her genius and dedication...
May we all be blessed by this profound work of brilliance and love for a country that owns our soul.
Patricia
On: 2007-08-20
Kathy Doore is an exceptional human being who has lived years beyond her age. The book is truly a legacy and affirmation of the depth of her perception about the light and energy of Markawasi and Peru in general.
We are blessed to have Kathy living in this time warp. I am delighted that I own being one of her best friends. To know her is to understand her genius and dedication...
May we all be blessed by this profound work of brilliance and love for a country that owns our soul.
Patricia
On: 2007-08-10
In this stunning book Kathy Doore has put together a gift fit for everyone.
If your interest is photography, graphics, sculpture, painting,
anthropology, history, mysticism, story telling, South America, Peru,
geology, Hiking, traveling or book collecting, I am sure that you will love this book. Theres even a travel guide on how to get to this far-out sculpture garden up in the Andes.
Its one of the coolest and hippest books Ive seen in a long time. The reading material is super interesting. If you prefer you can just flip through the pages full of awesome pictures and beautiful illustrations. I highly recommend it.
On: 2007-08-09
In this stunning book Kathy Doore has put together a gift fit for everyone.
If your interest is photography, graphics, sculpture, painting,
anthropology, history, mysticism, story telling, South America, Peru,
geology, Hiking, traveling or book collecting, I am sure that you will love this book. Theres even a travel guide on how to get to this far-out sculpture garden up in the Andes.
Its one of the coolest and hippest books Ive seen in a long time. The reading material is super interesting. If you prefer you can just flip through the pages full of awesome pictures and beautiful illustrations. I highly recommend it.
On: 2007-08-07
I found Markawasi to be completely inspiring. A must read for any seasoned traveler, or dreamer who has yet to embark upon a journey of discovery. This book combines both an impressive expanse of research as well as another element, missing in so many guidebooks: the human element. The author combines a notable array of research, practical travelers advice, as well as a richly woven tapestry of human experience and personal revelation. This book encourages not just a physical trek to this spot, but also a spiritual quest in order to explore the mysteries of this ancient culture. Complete with amazing photography, colorful descriptions of life in San Pedro de Casta, and inspiring stories of personal growth, the author allows a glimpse into her own connection to this place of profound depth. The authors own revelations provide a token of authenticity, we as readers, can begin to unravel and understand why this place holds such importance to so many, and this helps to break down the barrier between author and audience. Overall, an incredibly well thought out creation. Be prepared for an experience in reading this book. Definitely a testament to the transformative power of travel and exploration.
On: 2007-08-05
This book is a gift to all who venture into the mystic. A chance for those of us who have not walked among one of the most amazing places I have ever heard of. The book takes you there with visuals not only in picture form but with Kathys powerful gift of guidance and knowledge of this most sacred place with pen and ink. It is surely one of those places that should be placed on everyones list of places to see.
On: 2007-08-03
Kathy Doore leads us on an adventurous journey to a place of great antiquity and even greater mystery. The reader is given Scientific fact, and conclusions to peak the curiousity.
She then gifts the reader with the personal experiences of some of the fortunate few people to spend time here for untold thousands of years. Visually this book is Profoundly Beautiful...Literally it is Deeply Moving and thought provoking. A MUST HAVE FOR COLLECTORS OF BEAUTIFUL AND MYSTERIOUS TREASURES
On: 2007-08-03
Kathy Doore leads us on an adventurous journey to a place of great antiquity and even greater mystery. The reader is given scientific fact and conclusions to peak the curiousity. She then gifts us with the personal experiences of some of the fortunate few to have spent time there. Visually this book is profoundly beautiful. Literally it is deeply moving and thought provoking. A must have for collectors of beautiful and mysterious treasures.
On: 2007-08-02
Having met Kathy recently and enjoying her company, I was compelled to acquire her book. Imagine my delight to find that the subject matter of Ancient Ones and Travel Galore are the real IMPORTANCE of this must read, and the photography and verbage only help to enhance the enjoyment of this magnificent READ.
I highly recommend this book for inquisitive minds, those who want more knowledge of spiritual experiences, and everyone who knows that there is another realm to our universe that we only hope to ever understand.
Sincerely, Jil Teawalt Surprise Az
On: 2007-08-01
Book Review: Markawasi: Perus Inexplicable Stone Forest.
By Mari Conea-Rosenfeld, PhD
I am always delighted to read a book that brings me joy and educates me, leaving me on a greater note of happiness, and often questioning conventional knowledge. The readers who choose to journey through Kathy Doores Markawasi will be absorbed by her tremendous ability to ascertain truths and speak frankly about her observations, and at the same time, include other views that may disagree with hers.
Dr. Robert M. Schoch brilliantly introduces Markawasi, conveying the sites innermost qualities, as well as its geological and historical significance, while blessing it with its own soul. He draws the reader in, and compels a desire to view this most spectacular destination in an intimate way.
Daniel Ruzos work and theory concerning Markawasi are carefully presented by Ms. Doore, including the myths and legends that surround it. Kathy proceeds to take ownership of the place, and with soft, tender words that also inform, made me long to return to Markawasi with her.
Through Doores systematic direction, Markawasi not only reveals her insights on the mesa, but that of her contributors, and we are the beneficiaries of their knowledge. Lisa Rome takes us on a "fantastic discovery"--a journey that is as enriching and controversial as Ruzos theories on the mesa, when he presented them in the 1950s. Javier Ruzo, in his contribution, "Expression of the Sacred Earth", aids the reader in gaining an improved understanding of the place and the peoples that might have inhabited it. They possessed "the ancient custom of transmitting information by way of stone and the management of sacred space, recognized precession and the use of solstice markers to specify their rites of passage." The significance of the various anthropomorphic figures is thoroughly examined in succeeding chapters.
One does not need to be a philosopher, professing intelligent, spiritual techniques to enjoy the beauty of the landscape and the secrets that the mesa conceals in its monumental carvings. Kathy Doore, as a spiritual guide, thoughtfully and creatively writes of an ancient way of life and beliefs grounded in the enchantment and beauty of Markawasi, a most sacred place.
On: 2007-07-29
Its interesting to me that the National Geographic has not jumped all over "Perus Inexplicable Stone Forest" as a place to chronicle. Maybe after looking at Kathy Doores fabulous book,"Markawasi", they will!
In the late 90s and in 2001, I was lucky enough to venture to Peru. It was fun for me to see pictures (p.161) of the "spheres of light" that I also encountered at the Urubamba River. The author has caught the magic of Peru and put it in book form.
If you are hoping to visit Peru,then this book will give you plenty of ideas of where to go. OR if youve been and want to relive the incredible mystical land/people, this will take you there.
The sharp color photos and accompanying excellent drawings clearly show the figures in the stones. I found the drawings quite helpful. "Markawasi" is a perfect gift for any Peru travellers coffee table. Its a gem.
On: 2007-07-24
Markawasi: Perus Inexplicable Stone Forest
"This is one of the quintessential high holy spots on Earth where the high altitude, crisp air, cold nights, clear skies, hot days, and the sheer raw beauty, desolation, silence and inaccessibility are mind-numbing and mind-expanding." Dr. Robert M. Schoch, Ph.D.
I eagerly awaited the delivery of Kathy Doores new book; Markawasi: Perus Inexplicable Stone Forest and was delighted the day it arrived. The books cover is a stunning glossy black. It features a photograph of a native woman, San Pedro de Casta resident Brigaida Bautista Medina, in traditional regalia. Her profile is juxtaposed with a profile of the "Monument to Humanity," the gateway to Markawasis Stone Forest. The gargantuan boulder looks remarkably like the woman even down to the shadow cast by the sun onto their faces. The photograph is an excellent foretaste of the images yet to be revealed.
The design and layout of the book is exquisite. The use of color-coded backgrounds by section, and the more than four hundred brilliant photographs and illustrations contribute to a dazzling visual experience. There is no doubt that the horizontal format was selected to convey the grandeur of this stone forest by using twenty-two inch panoramic sized images stretched across the pages. Without reading a word, I was already captivated by the unique wonders of Markawasi: Perus Inexplicable Stone Forest.
Markawasi is a travel guide, personal journey and catalyst for awakening others to the healing powers that lie deep within the Earth. It is also the story of how these powers are manifested in the mysterious and mystical images revealed in the rock faces of the Markawasi Stone Forest. The "Temples of Light and Shadow" that make up the Stone Forest are mapped with geographic coordinates (GPS) to facilitate viewing each stone sculpture from the optimal vantage point. Each sculpture is presented on a separate page with photographs and illustrations. For example, the Woman with Child sculpture on pages 56-57 is illustrated by a photo insert of a native woman carrying her child tied to her back in a rebozo (manta) along with a drawing to help the reader "see" the features of the sculpture. Much of the commentary is from the archives of Daniel Ruzo, who originally observed and catalogued the major sites of Markawasi over a nine-year period in the mid- 20th Century.
The key to understanding Markawasi and its profound beauty lies in your point-of-view, a theme that permeates the book. In fact, Ms. Doores presentation is very comprehensive and covers not only the typical guide-book information you would expect. But, more importantly, she explains what cannot be seen, the mythology and legend surrounding the origin and meaning of the site as well as the culture of the people of San Pedro de Casta, the caretakers of Markawasi.
Ms. Doore artfully prepares the reader for the impact of the mystical experiences recounted by the Markawasi contributing authors. First, she introduces the geological theories of the origin of the Stone Forest and the opinion of some that the sculptures are simply "simulacra", natural objects that in the minds eye take the shape of human faces and animals. She then places the Markawasi site in the context of other archeological sites in Peru such as Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley of the Incas, as well as sacred sites around the world that are linked by the similarity of the symbols discovered at the sites. Add to this milieu, the mystery surrounding the interpretation of the Nazca Lines and the discovery of "gliptoliths" in the Ocucaje Desert purported to document the origin and evolution of humankind. And finally, the archeological history of the site is presented along with the sacred symbols, myths and legends of the sites proto-historical origin. It is through this prism that the author reveals the true mind-bending nature of the site and the readers point-of-view of Markawasi is altered.
It is in this context that Ms. Doores personal experiences and those of her contributors are accepted by the reader as, "the ineffable aspect of the plateau." The experiences described range from tingling sensations to awareness of electrical humming sounds and newfound personal insights to encounters with "OVNIs" (UFOs), "Xendras" (orbs of intense light) and "Apu" (spirit guides). Each commentary illuminates another aspect of the unique Markawasi experience that is best described as "a cosmic doorway that opens occasionally, allowing exploration of other realms beyond our own". It is apparent that the whole of the book merely scratches the surface of the wonders and mysteries of Markawasi: Perus Inexplicable Stone Forest.
Contributors include Dr. Robert M. Schoch, Ph.D., a geologist best known for re-dating the Great Sphinx in Egypt that was documented in his Emmy award-winning film, The Mystery of the Sphinx. Photographers Sean Adair and Peter E. Schneider; Journalist, Lisa Rome; Artist, Javier Ruzo, the grandson of the late Daniel Ruzo who until his death in 1991 was the sole authority on the historical legacy of Markawasi. Dr. Marino Sanchez, Ph.D., an anthropologist and expert in archaeological and ethnological investigations of the ancient cultures of his Peruvian homeland; Lydia Colon, artist and world-traveler; Pablo Chong, seeker & Inn-keeper; Erik Mendoza, Tour Guide; Stephanie Phelps, Medium; and Annette Everitt, fellow-traveler.
On: 2007-07-23
"Markawasi" is a handsome addition to any library, compelling the reader to open it--and be amazed. Each page has been carefully thought-out. It is a pleasure to simply page through it as a travel piece; however, reading the narratives of the various travelers, scholars, historians, and visionaries is an adventure truly out-of-this world--an incredible, eye-opening experience. Newspapers recently announced a revised list of the "Seven Wonders of the World", pointing out Machu Picchu as one. Markawasi needs to be seen and experienced first-hand. The list would then be promptly amended to eight. The mesa stands on its own as a site for venturous travelers, but in addition, it is an archaeological gold mine. It is a place of legend and myths, recalling those who walked the earth before us and planted their footprints, leaving signs to open our minds. Similar to Machu Picchu and the Lines of Nazca, Markawasi bestows an immeasurable bounty of revelation, offering mute testimony to an unknown race who built and left behind evidence of themselves. All of these wondrous places are in Peru! This beautifully-illustrated book must be read not only by the avid adventure traveler, but by those fascinated with ancient history, archaeology, the esoteric, and the future of the planet.
On: 2007-07-07
In this guidebook to Markawasi in Peru, Kathy Doores passion to reveal the mysteries of this ancient site, and its significance to humanity, emanates from each description and piece of history detailed in the book.
The stone monuments are beautifully captured in photographs and illustrations, taking the reader on a mini tour of the mesa, all the while sparking the imagination. At the end of the book are personal stories of visits to this incredible site that bring the mystery of Markawasi to life. The firsthand experiences they share speak of life-changing encounters in what Kathy Doore describes as "our extraordinary journey of remembrance".
This book has succeeded in igniting the flame within me to experience Markawasi for myself.
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