Turn Right At Machu Picchu Analysis

Emme DiPasquale Period 8
AP Language and Composition Johnson

Mark Adams, the profound author of the nonfiction text, Turn Right at Machu Picchu, expresses his voice in several ways throughout the book. Voice is a major component when writing any piece of work because it allows the author to portray his own individuality to his writing. There has been major controversy of Hiram Bingham III and his discovery of the lost Incan city, Machu Picchu. Mark Adams decided to retrace the path of Hiram Bingham III to write what is now a fascinating and intriguing book of his expedition.
When reading this book, it is obvious by the fact that Mark Adams incorporated his heart and soul into this book. It was almost as if one were

sitting opposite to him listening to his story and a major reason for this is his use of voice. Mark Adams connects his readers to his text by intriguing them with his humorous and sarcastic comments that in a way mocks his amateur-self through the expedition. There are several examples throughout the book where Adams is able to connect his readers with the idea that he’s able to laugh at himself. When talking to his friend, John, Adams was unaware of all these historical places such as Llactapata. When confronted with the topic of this foreign place with Adams, he shrugged it off and pretended he knew what he was talking about as he says, “Of course, that Llactapata,’ I said, trying to guess how the name was spelled so that I could look it up later” (Adams.7). When talking to an experienced explorer, John Leivers, Adams was not aware of all the small, yet important aspects when going on this expedition. As John explains to Mark just how important the little things are, such as walking along the rails to save train fare, Mark never realized how inexperienced he is until collaborating with John. There are several points during the text where Mark mocks himself when conversing with John because he knows just how much he has to act professional and familiar with this whole expedition for John and other explorers to respect him. Mark is able to connect and relate to his readers by flaunting his imperfections and is able to admit and make fun of his self when he doesn’t know anything a professional does. Mark is on this adventure for himself and to fulfill the gaps of knowledge he lacks and is able to laugh at himself when he isn’t entirely “perfect.”
With his witty and sarcastic humor, Mark Adams also portrays his voice using his intellect and knowledge throughout the book.

Mark was determined to retrace Bingham’s route and although Mark knows little about exploring, he is full of knowledge about the history he desires to repeat. Chapter fifteen in the book portrays just a small portion of Mark’s knowledge of Hiram Bingham III’s background and the history surrounding him. From the thoughts of Bingham to the actions he completed, Mark Adams wrote as if he was walking with Bingham through his winding journey. Throughout the chapter, Mark Adams wrote in third person and even explained the thoughts of Bingham that wouldn’t be found in any history book, “The more hours he spent in the university library researching the final days of the Inca empire, the more convinced he became that their lost city really did exist – except that it was called Vilcabamba” (Adams. 67). Mark Adams wasn’t with Hiram Bingham during his expedition; he only wishes to retrace his footsteps, yet his words throughout chapter fifteen connects his readers to the words he wrote because of the passion for knowledge he has for the history.
This alluring and fascinating book written by Mark Adams thoroughly connects his readers to the words written on the page. With his use of humor and knowledge, readers easily relate to Adams and follow his adventure throughout the book. Turn Right at Machu Picchu is full of passion and determination that motivates its readers

to take a risk with or without any expertise.