Tommie Sue Montgomery

I started out in international relations, moved to political theory, and ended up in Latin America where I did research and occasionally lived for thirty years. My peripatetic career has included faculty or research positions in five states and Ontario. I've lived in Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Belize, and Argentina, and have traveled throughout the hemisphere. In between I've spent time in 17 European countries, from Iceland to Russia and Greece. After three books on El Salvador and edited books on Mexico and on peacekeeping in Latin America, along with many other academic and popular publications I hung up my academic hat in 2004. Before that, however, three Fulbrights took me to Argentina to teach, Belize for research on Central American refugees, and El Salvador for another visiting professorship at the Central American University. I've also lectured at more than 60 colleges and universities in the western hemisphere, and have been a consultant to USAID and the UN. In retirement photography and travel writing have become important avocations. Since 2005 I've lectured on Holland-America ships from Vancouver to Antarctica, up the Amazon, through the Caribbean, and across the North Atlantic; on Seabourn I lecture on all things Canadian around the Canadian Maritimes and Quebec. The Latin American sojourns have allowed my husband and me to travel throughout most of Argentina, Chile, and Peru, as well as Mexico and all of Central America (except Honduras). Discovering pre-Columbian archaeological sites in coastal Peru led to a new passion, which ultimately led to writing "Before the Incas", now in its 2nd edition. Previously, two trips to Machu Picchu led to a short guide, "Navigating Machu Picchu", also in its 2nd edition. My degrees include an A.B. from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, an M.A. from Vanderbilt, and a Ph.D. from New York University. In 2013 Wesleyan honoured me with its medal for Distinguished Achievement in a Profession. Home is Oshawa, Ontario. REVIEWS of Before the Incas: 2nd edition: Dr. Montgomery's new, up-to-date tour of ancient Peruvian sites is a treasure, with absolutely everything the intrepid traveler could want: maps, site layouts, stunning photos, history and myth, even invaluable directions and hints about seeing each place. Most of all, perusing these pages is like traveling with a highly observant, experienced, and well-informed but easy-going friend, the perfect companion. Mary Jo McConahay, Author of The Tango War: The Struggle for the Hearts, Minds and Riches of Latin America during World War II 1st Edition: If I had to pick a single guide for exploring the mysteries of coastal Peru's earliest civilizations, this would be it. Written in the clear, concise prose of a seasoned pro, it is richly illustrated and packed with detailed research and practical traveler tips. Before the Incas is bound to make your visit to archeological sites of Peru's coastal deserts the trip of a lifetime. Scott Wallace, author of The Unconquered Professor of Journalism, University of Connecticut