Traditional Weavers of Guatemala: Their Stories, Their Lives

I have just finished my third reading of this beautiful book. The first reading was to devour the stunning photos and breeze through the stories of 20 traditional artisans, reading for story line. The second reading was to slowly savor the beauty of Guatemala, of the artisans and of the textiles so clearly captured in Joe Coca's photos that fill this book. I read to deeply feel and let myself be moved by the sensitively told stories of people's lives and their crafts as shared with the authors, Guatemalan Teresa Cordón and weaver Deborah Chandler.In between and ongoing I've taken the buffet approach; I flip through the book only looking for photos of working hands, or faces, or landscape, or a certain textile technique. With a more careful reading of the text and ongoing examination of the pictures I am understanding many things about the textiles and the weavers that I missed the first time. It is a book to be savored.Between the stories of the artisans are very helpful sidebars about Guatemalan cultures and history. The book designer should be credited too because the photo layout and sidebars complement and help clarify the stories. There are thoughtful little touches like the end pages with glossary and index printed on paper of a slightly different colored so they can be found quickly.This beautiful book will bring pleasure to anyone who loves Guatemala, or traditional textiles, or beautiful photos, or preservation of diverse cultures.

This is a book that will remain a treasured part of my library. Though their words and pictures authors Deborah Chandler and Teresa Cordon and photographer Joe Coca not only stunningly portray 20 Guatemalan artists, but in so doing teach us not only about Mayan and Guatemalan history and culture, but also about the technicalities of weaving,spinning, embroidery and basketmaking, all in terms understandable to the lay person. The glossary was also very useful. The lives and aspirations of these women and men will stay with me for a long time. The artists have managed to overcome so much to create such elegant beauty. I've already given two copies of this book as gifts and I'm sure I will continue to have it as a favorite gift item for a long time to come. I also found it very useful to read before my upcoming trip to Guatemala so that I can become a more educated consumer of textiles when I am there.

This book is an inspiration to all weavers. The lives of the artists featured are intertwined with the fiber arts they practice; the fact that they continue to weave, spin and embroider is a gift to humanity for preserving these techniques, considering the incredible conditions in which they live and the horrors they suffered from past brutal conflicts. Non-weavers will appreciate the remarkable history of these men and woven. The book is well written with compassion while celebrating the beauty of the people and their work; the authors are knowledgeable of work, the people and the country. The photography is stunning.

Deborah Chandler and Tere Cordon I really thought that all the photos from the book were absolutely great and vivid (since they were taken by a professional) but these photos are amazing now I realized that, is you guys that transmit the passion of everything that you do!! Congrats again I love your book! I can say this is the best book that represents all Guatemala is; colors, history, weavers, food, passion and so on.

Beautifully designed, photographed and written. A lovely celebration of some of the finest practitioners of a centuries-old craft. I have spent a fair amount of time among Guatemalan weavers and am always grateful when they are written about with the sort of respect this author brings.

FANTASTIC READ! Eye-opening and heart-rendering as you learn not only about process of weaving and creating beautiful textiles but also peek into the lives of these artisans and their Maya heritage.

What a wonderful read. What these weavers have accomplished during a life that would test the strongest among us. Thank you for brining their beautiful art and life accomplishments for all to appreciate.

WONDERFUL book....such an eye-opener about the culture of Guatemala....wonderful stories and absolutely GORGEOUS photography all the way through!!

Beautiful and informative book. There is much terminology and information that someone with decent knowledge of weaving will understand. As I am not one of those, I do find that much of the weaving process information goes over my head. However, I further appreciate the time, skill and labour which are invested in the creation of huipils, cortes, cintas and blankets. The personal stories are important and moving and being from the country originally I better understand the devastation experienced in the 70s and 80s. I also appreciate the effort to present the stories of a variety of artists and artisans. I do wonder how the artists were chosen as I looked for one specific name of a master weaver and was disappointed to not find her included, though I appreciate how difficult it must have been to winnow choices down to what was possible in one book. The photographs are lovely and there is an obvious respect in the overall presentation. This book was recommended to me by someone who also deeply appreciates Maya textiles and I am glad that I followed through on it.

An incredible book full of interesting stories and excellent photography.