An author, historian, speaker and seasoned traveler of over 80 countries, Craig hitchhiked across Europe at the age of 17, ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, trekked to and lived in a remote Borneo jungle village, swam in the mighty Mekong River of Laos, shared stories with the Moroccan “Blue People” of the Sahara desert, and meditated at the foot of a moai on Easter Island (Rapanui).
Born in humble beginnings in Compton, California, Craig went on to graduate from UCLA, and build a career in research and higher education.
Craig’s avid interest and experience in archaeological work naturally led him to the Maya sites of Mexico and Central America. Over the past thirty years he has spent extensive periods at dozens of remote Maya sites.
TIKAL
David Stuart, one of the world’s foremost experts in Maya glyphic decipherment wrote: “Tikal is simply one of the most overpowering archaeological sites in the world.”
Craig felt the same way after his first visit to Tikal, and after multiple visits he put his knowledge and experience into writing the most complete and updated visitor’s guide to Tikal found anywhere. Today, he is considered one of the leading authorities on visiting the Maya of today, and the ancient Maya civilizations of the past.
Craig is a noted, and in-demand, speaker, writer, and media resource on visiting Maya archaeological sites, particularly Tikal, Copán, Quiriguá, and Palenque. His friends have called him a “futurist from the past.”
Tikal, The Smart Guide
Coming Summer, 2024, Copán, The Smart Guide. A complete guide to visiting the archaeological ruins of Copán, Honduras. Copán has often been called the Athens of the New World and this book will take you through the cultural, artistic, and historic place that Copán holds in the Maya world.
Coming Autumn, 2024, Quirigua, The Smart Guide. A complete guide to visiting the archaeological ruins of Quirigua, Guatemala. Quirigua is famous for the massive sculptures left us by one of the most intriguing of the Maya cities.
Coming Winter, 2025, Palenque, The Smart Guide. A complete guide to visiting the archaeological ruins of Palenque, Mexico. Explore the great city of King Pakal and the mysterious palace tower in this complete visitors guide.
Also in the planning stages, Craig is working on a new book: A guide to the fascinating but less traveled region of Sri Lanka and south India, with an in-depth look at the history, architecture, and culture, as well as practical information such as lodging, food, and transportation.