Christopher Sawyer-Laucanno writes in his introduction to Destruction of the Jaguar that ""The Books of Chilam Balam are the only principal surviving texts of the ancient Maya. Written in the Mayan language but in European script, they are generally considered to be transcriptions and recompilations from memory of material originally contained in the hieroglyphic books, all of which were apparently destroyed by the Spaniards . . . As they stand now, they are a curious and fascinating combination of prophecy, history, chronology, ritual and mythology."

Here is an English translation that captures the unparalleled beauty of one of the great pre-Columbian masterpieces. This stirring, prophetic poetry haunts our own times.

"Filled with insights into an enigma" ("USA Today"), "An Invisible Spectator" chronicles Paul Bowles's life and work--interwoven with vivid depictions of the writer's intimates, including Truman Capote, Gertrude Stein, Allen Ginsberg, and William Burroughs.