The Man Who Owned a Wonder of the World: The Gringo History of Mexico's Chichén Itzá

In 2007 the ancient Maya city of Chichén Itzá in Yucatán, Mexico, was named 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 one family come to own one of the archaeological crown jewels of Mexico? The answer was more incredible: they had bought the ancient city from an American, Edward H. Thompson, who had owned Chichén for half a century. Thompson, an archaeologist, explored Chichén and had 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 travels to Yucatan to investigate Thompson's incredible true story and stumbles upon Thompson’s biggest secret--the son he left behind. Read more