Turn Right at Machu Picchu

It had been too long since the last time I read a travelogue. This one was a excellent choice. The author, a travel journalist who freely admits he doesn't do that much traveling, hooks up with an tough Australian guide in Peru to follow the trail of Hiram Bingham III, a Yale man who had “discovered” Machu Picchu in 1911. The narrative weaves together Bingham's history, Peruvian history, and his own trekking in the area and succeeds in telling a fascinating, well-paced story. The book includes a number of black and white photos as well.

Just for fun, here's a quote from his guide, John, when they were discussing craziest things they've ever eaten:

“I once ate a cockroach, but that was on a bet back in Australia. I also once, after quite a lot of beer, ate a kilo of butter.” He leaned forward between the front seats. “Won ten dollars on that bet.”