Aztec Books

Conquistador: Hernan Cortes, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs

Buddy Levy

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In an astonishing work of scholarship that reads like an adventure thriller, historian Buddy Levy records the last days of the Aztec empire and the two men at the center of an epic clash of cultures.

“I and my companions suffer from a disease of the heart which can be cured only with gold.” —Hernán Cortés

It was a moment unique in human history, the face-to-face meeting between two men from civilizations a world apart. Only one would survive the encounter. In 1519, Hernán Cortés arrived on the shores of Mexico with a roughshod crew of adventurers and the intent to expand the Spanish empire. Along the way, this brash and roguish conquistador schemed to convert the native inhabitants to Catholicism and carry off a fortune in gold. That he saw nothing paradoxical in his intentions is one of the most remarkable—and tragic—aspects of this unforgettable story of conquest.

In Tenochtitlán, the famed City of Dreams, Cortés met his Aztec counterpart, Montezuma: king, divinity, ruler of fifteen million people, and commander of the most powerful military machine in the Americas. Yet in less than two years, Cortés defeated the entire Aztec nation in one of the most astonishing military campaigns ever waged. Sometimes outnumbered in battle thousands-to-one, Cortés repeatedly beat seemingly impossible odds. Buddy Levy meticulously researches the mix of cunning, courage, brutality, superstition, and finally disease that enabled Cortés and his men to survive.

Conquistador is the story of a lost kingdom—a complex and sophisticated civilization where floating gardens, immense wealth, and reverence for art stood side by side with bloodstained temples and gruesome rites of human sacrifice. It’s the story of Montezuma—proud, spiritual, enigmatic, and doomed to misunderstand the stranger he thought a god. Epic in scope, as entertaining as it is enlightening, Conquistador is history at its most riveting.

An Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya

Mary Miller, Karl Taube

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The myths and beliefs of the great pre-Columbian civilizations of Mesoamerica have baffled and fascinated outsiders ever since the Spanish Conquest. Yet, until now, no single-volume introduction has existed to act as a guide to this labyrinthine symbolic world. The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya is the first-ever English-language dictionary of Mesoamerican mythology and religion. Nearly 300 entries, from accession to yoke, describe the main gods and symbols of the Olmecs, Zapotecs, Maya, Teotihuacanos, Mixtecs, Toltecs, and Aztecs. Topics range from jaguar and jester gods to reptile eye and rubber, from creation accounts and sacred places to ritual practices such as bloodletting, confession, dance, and pilgrimage. In addition, two introductory essays provide succinct accounts of Mesoamerican history and religion, while a substantial bibliographical survey directs the reader to original sources and recent discussions. Dictionary entries are illustrated with photographs and specially commissioned line drawings. Mary Miller and Karl Taube draw on their research in the fast-changing field of Maya studies, and on the latest Mexican discoveries, to produce an authoritative work that will serve as a standard reference for students, scholars, and travelers.

Aztec Autumn

Gary Jennings

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 49 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Not as good as "Aztec"; but not bad as they say, either 4 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Gary Jennings was an author known for his great historical novels, based on enormous and thorough research, very sexually active characters, developed in a level that few writers can master, and unusual situations brought to light by an uncommon and skillful style of writing. I think "Aztec" is his masterpiece, but "The journeyer" and "Raptor" are not that far behind.

While reading "Aztec", I was totally transported to the "one world", back in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries of the christian era. Mixtli was a great character. His life was a great life. Jennings's readers were so appaled by his tale that they were left wanting more. Almost two decades later, their wish was granted. Of course, to be better than "Aztec" was a nearly impossible task, and not even Jennings was able to do it.

In "Aztec autumn", a sequel of sorts, Mixtli briefly appears, but the main character this time is Tenamaxtli, one of Aztlán heirs, who have to cope with his land being invaded and ruled by the spaniards. Tenamaxtli has revenge boiling in his heart, and he will conceive many plans to make the white smelly devils go back to where they came from.

The book starts well enough, and for a time I thought "Aztec autumn" would be as great as "Aztec". But this book lacks the presence of many of the great secondary characters that peopled its predecessor. Tenamaxtli is interesting enough, but he's surrounded by cardboard characters. Many of them appear only briefly. The subplots are also not very great. Many reviewers complain that some of those subplots are sorry excuses for overrated sexual experiences; I don't entirely agree with them, because I understand that sexual scenes were a very strong part of Jennings' writing style, but this time those scenes were not as greatly written as the ones existent in his three masterpieces. Also, the ending in "Aztec autumn" seems very rushed, as if the author himself got tired of his book and just wanted it to be over.

But when we're dealing with historical fiction, there are not many authors that can deliver a fantastic book like Jennings does - Noah Gordon and Ken Follett come immediately to mind. To go back to the One World / New Spain in the 1600s one more time was worth the reading. That's why this book deserves a 4-star rating.

Grade 7.2/10

Editorial Review:

After the Aztec empire falls to the Spaniards, a young Aztec named Tenama+a7xtli begins recruiting from among his fellow survivors of the Conquest to once again challenge the Spaniards and restore the Aztec empire. By the author of Aztec. 250,000 first printing."

Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs, Sixth Edition (Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs)

Michael D. Coe, Rex Koontz

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Very Informative! 5 out of 5 stars.
27 of 27 people found this review helpful.

Manuel's review of this book is excellent - I couldn't have written it any better! However, here's my two-cents worth:

This book is a must read for anyone who lacks basic knowledge of the ancient Mexican cultures. It provides the reader with brief (and in some cases, more than brief) summaries of several of the various cultural groups that existed, covering geographic, cultural, agricultural, religious, architectural and political backgrounds. It has timelines and drawn maps to aid the reader's temporal and geographical orientation. It contains many illustrations and photographs of artifacts found, temples, statues...etc. excavated. It even includes a brief section and tips on visiting Mexico.

The only gripe I have with this book is that it provides you with a lot of information on some cultures, such as the Aztecs and Toltecs and leaves you with insufficient info on other cultures mentioned, such as the Totonacs. However, this is probably because what archeologists have unearthed of Mesoamerica is only a tiny fraction of what actually existed, i.e. the less than brief information on some of the cultural groups mentioned in this book is probably due to archeologists not having unearthed enough remnants of the existence of these cultures/not being able to fully interpret or place what they have found to date. I'm sure Coe would have provided more info if there was more in-depth info, though in the case of the Maya, there is simply too much information to be made known and hence, rather than trying to simplify everything into one chapter, a whole, separate book has been dedicated to that group.

To make up for this lack of info on some groups, Coe provides us with pictures of artifacts found, as in the section on the Olmecs, and illustrations and descriptions of their distinctive artistic/architectural style and states the likelihood of the origination of these styles and what they probably signified. I must admit that I found the more than just brief descriptions/concentrations on the artistic styles/pottery work/architectural preferences...etc. of some of the lesser-known groups a little annoying, for I am not an art/archeology student and was looking for info more on the way of life, beliefs...etc. than on their pottery and carving skills and architectural styles. Nonetheless, I am grateful that these were brought to the reader's attention rather than nothing at all mentioned.

I enjoyed this book as a kick-start to my growing interest in ancient Mexican and Andean cultures and think that it makes a good quick-reference book. At least now I have an idea/starting point of some of the ancient Mexican groups. One should read this book keeping in mind that a lot about ancient Mexico has yet to be discovered and will never be discovered (afterall, a majority of the remnants of these cultures were destroyed by conquering forces) and thus, should be thankful for whatever is divulged in this book.

Editorial Review:

"Masterly....The complexities of Mexico's ancient cultures are perceptively presented and interpreted."—Library Journal

Michael D. Coe's Mexico has long been recognized as the most readable and authoritative introduction to the region's ancient civilizations. This companion to his best-selling The Maya has now been completely revised by Professor Coe and Rex Koontz.

The sixth edition includes new developments in the birth of agriculture and writing, both of which were independently invented here. Fresh insights into the metropolis of Teotihuacan reveal a world of palaces and warrior cults brought down by social revolts. A spectacular new find in the center of the Aztec capital, just unearthed, gives us a privileged glimpse into the funerary rites of the most powerful monarch in North America at the time. 181 illustrations, 20 in color.

Draw 50 People: The Step-by-Step Way to Draw Cavemen, Queens, Aztecs, Vikings, Clowns, Minutemen, and Many More... (Draw 50)

Lee J. Ames

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Only for kids 1 out of 5 stars.
17 of 22 people found this review helpful.

I thought this book would be a little creative. I was wrong. The book is weak for a couple of reasons: first, instead of teaching how to draw specific elements that make these characters it shows how to draw individual entries. So if your child wants to learn how to draw a viking, (s)he will only see one perspective and nothing more. No technique on how to draw the helmet, the garb etc.. Second, the book doesn't follow basic techniques to learn how to draw. In my opinion this book should be for 5 year olds in the house that are tired of coloring books. Buy a Jack Hamm book if you want to learn how to draw!

Editorial Review:

Draw 50 People teaches aspiring artists how to draw with ease by following simple, step-by-step instructions. Acclaimed author Lee J. Ames shows you how to draw a wondrous diversity of people from around the world and throughout history. Included here are people from ancient times, like an Egyptian mathematician, a medieval troubadour, and a Roman athlete. But there are also pirates, queens, soldiers from the Civil War and World War II, and many others.

Lee J. Ames’s drawing method has proven successful for children and adults alike over the past thirty years. The twenty-seven books in the Draw 50 series have sold more than 3 million copies and have shown everyone from amateurs to experts how to draw everything from animals to airplanes.

Even the youngest artists can make these ancient and modern men and women look great. It’s easy to draw people when you do it the Draw 50 way.

Chia: Rediscovering a Forgotten Crop of the Aztecs

Ricardo Ayerza, Wayne Coates

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Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Nutrition -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

One of the four main Aztec crops at the time of Columbus’s arrival in the New World, chia is now a forgotten food of the Americas. Chia seed oil offers the highest omega-3 fatty acid content available from plants, but today this species is known only for its use in "chia pets." Yet pre-Columbian civilizations used chia as a raw material for medicines and nutritional compounds, while chia flour could be stored for years as a food reserve and was valued as a source of energy on long journeys.

In this book, agronomist Ricardo Ayerza and agricultural engineer Wayne Coates trace the long and fascinating history of chia’s use, then reveal the scientific story of the plant and its modern potential. They compare fatty acid profiles of chia with our other major sources—fish oil, flaxseed, and marine algae—and provide evidence that chia is superior in many ways.

Here are just some of the benefits that chia provides:
- chia has the highest known percentage of alpha-linolenic acid, and the highest combined alpha-linolenic and linoleic fatty acid percentage of all crops
- chia has more protein, lipids, energy, and fiber—but fewer carbs—than rice, barley, oats, wheat, or corn—and its protein is gluten-free
- chia is an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, and copper
- chia is low in sodium: salmon has 78 times as much, tuna 237 times as much
- chia exhibits no evidence of allergic response, even in individuals with peanut and tree-nut allergies
- chia doesn’t give off a “fishy flavor,” unlike some other sources of omega-3 fatty acid

The need to balance the essential fatty acid content of the human diet, combined with the need for a safe, renewable, omega-3 fatty acid source, positions chia to become one of the world’s important crops. As this insightful study shows, current nutritional understanding provides an excellent opportunity to reintroduce this important food to the world.

The Codex Borgia: A Full-Color Restoration of the Ancient Mexican Manuscript

Gisele Diaz, Alan Rodgers

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A Gem 5 out of 5 stars.
11 of 14 people found this review helpful.

This is a very strange and beautiful book in pictures. It reads like a dream if you tune in to it, and reveals very deep meanings about the relation between life and death, the human relation to the forces of nature, and time. Even though there are no words, it is possible to understand. If you get into it the symbols become more and more recognizable, and they begin to speak. the calendrical symbols and the spirit deities are completely recognizable. The sequences are all about times, and there is a big element about sacrifice. It has to do with the consequences of change; there is no life without death. The book has a very powerful image of life and death fused back to back that pretty much is the epitome of all the book is about. It's all about life and death in relation to time.

Editorial Review:

First publication of remarkable repainting of outstanding Mexican codex (priceless original is in Vatican Library), thought to have originated in the Cholula area, ca. a.d. 1400. Seventy-six large full-color plates show an astounding array of gods, kings, warriors, mythical creatures and abstract designs. A work of rare power and beauty now available in this inexpensive, high-quality edition. Introduction.

A Coloring Book of Incas, Aztecs and Mayas

Bellerophon Books

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Excellent PreColumbian Material 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This is a great book to use in middle and some high school classes. It shows the artwork, style and abilities of PreColumbian artist. Actual figures and glyphs from various archaeologial sites and museum codex pages give history, geography and anthropology students a real sense of PreColumbian life styles, interest, history and religions.

History is fun! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Sometimes,if you want to know about a culture, look at the artwork.I use this as a reference for my paintings on furniture,etc.
Brings the southwest and Mexico a bit closer to home.

wonderful multi-culture coloring book. 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I ordered the "A Coloring book of Incas, Aztec and Mayas" for my art students, as part of their multi-culture studies. The pictures were accurate and were labeled. I was very pleased and the coloring book was just what I wanted. I recommend this book for any teacher needing a color booking on Inca, Aztec and Maya cultures.

Editorial Review:

The Pre-Columbian civilizations had some masterly artists -- this coloring book contains their finest artwork. There are ballplayers, dancers, calendars, counting devices and a pantheon of gods to be colored.

The Aztecs: Rise and Fall of an Empire (Abrams Discoveries)

Serge Gruzinski

List Price: $12.95 By: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 31 new & used starting at $3.49

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Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A great little book 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

This a handy little book that can be taken with you anywhere, it is smaller than an average man's hand. It's an excellent source book for covering the the rise and fall of the Mexica(Aztec) civilization. The illustrations are wonderful reproductions of some of the most famous paintings of the conquest, including many from the murals of Diego Rivera. The paper is thick stock and fact filled with little commentary that is conjecture. The strength of this reference book is that it has many rarely seen pictures from an assortment of codexes and the reproductions are superb. Some are small but the quality remains so as to distinquish what you are looking at without any problem. The color in the illustrations is great and very much as the originals. Every page has at least one picture and most have numerous. It is visually stimulating to see as you read the history. Another strength of the book is that it has one third dedicated to documents. The conquest is retold, again, in a series of original documents, dating from the time period being discussed, most of which are primary documents. Anyone interested in Mexico and it's history will benefit from this book. Also anyone interested in art will enjoy the collection of illustrations throughout book. This is an excellent, little, wealth of information waiting for the student of Mexican history.

Editorial Review:

Explores the complex aspects of the ancient Aztec civilization, its artistic and cultural achievements, its bloody religion, and its history--from earliest times to its collapse with the arrival of the Spanish in the New World. Original.

The Aztec World

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Editorial Review:

The Aztec World is an illustrated survey of the Aztecs based on insightful research by a team of international experts from the United States and Mexico. In addition to traditional subjects like cosmology, religion, human sacrifice, and political history, this book covers such contemporary concerns as the environment and agriculture, health and disease, women and social status, and urbanism. It also discusses the effects of European conquests on Aztec culture and society, in addition to offering modern perspectives on their civilization.

 

The text is accompanied by colorful illustrations and photos of artifacts from the best collections in Mexico, including those of the Templo Mayor Museum and the National Museum of Anthropology, both in Mexico City, as well as pieces from archaeological sites and virtual reconstructions of lost artwork. The book accompanies an exhibition at The Field Museum.