The Awakening Valley: The Photographic Record of a Social Miracle Among the Indians of Ecuador. 1949. Cloth with dustjacket. Hardcover – Import, January 1, 1949

I visited Otavalo, Ecuador recently. Being there is standing astride two worlds. One is the modern world of commerce, capitalism, cars, and computers. The other is the ancient culture of the indigenous people--Kichwa. The book, The Awakening Valley shows the indigenous people living in the modern world of the 1940s. It is almost sickeningly paternalistic by 21st century standards. We have more respect for 'foreign' cultures now and try to see them in the light of the logic of the culture. Not how 'backward' the culture appears to be in reference to our modern culture.This book is, for its time, a loving look at the beginning of the indigenous people's integration into the larger culture. For the authors it is a given that that integration is preferable. Given the pain and disruption integration can cause, we're not so sure. Even so the authors allow the nobility and the timelessness of the ancient culture to show through.The black and white pictures are a priceless view of a world that has changed over sixty years but yet remains the same. At the same time it shows how we moderns used to view (and many still do) 'foreign' cultures.

The original book is an excellent photo essay on the people of Otavalo c. 1949, and one I treasured from my childhood in Ecuador in the early 50's. In trying to replace my lost copy I mistakenly ordered this version instead of seeking out a (much cheaper) very good first edition on Biblio. This is a vastly inferior photocopy, and most of the photographs are virtually indecipherable. While photocopy reprints for old text-only books can be useful, this is worse than useless as it promises what it manifestly does not deliver for a price that is purest cheek. Do not purchase this volume. Look for the genuine article!