Customer Reviews

Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec Armies (Men-at-Arms)

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While the text is excellent (written by one of the rising stars of Mesoamerican archaeology), the best part of this book is its wonderful illustrations. Often, ancient Mexican art is so heavily stylized that it's difficult to get a true perspective of what weapons looked like, or how the unusual armor, imperial robes, and ordinary clothing hung on the body. The color plates really help bring this ancient world to life, as do the scattered black-and-white illustrations along the way. I've used this book many times to help students visualize the ancient New World, and cannot praise it highly enough!

A richly illustrated source on the armies of the Mexica Empire from the founding of Tenochtitlan up to the arrival of the Spaniards, who are not mentioned in the book. This makes this a rare book truly only about the Mexican armies, rather than focusing on the experience of the Spaniards that fought them.

What little is known of the petty warring states of the Zapotecs and the Mixtecs is also examined. The book is also graced by beautiful color plates by Angus McBride, showing, among others, the warrior priests and the cuahchic shock troops of the Aztecs, and a beautiful Mixtec Queen.

This Men-at-Arms title is a cut above the rest. The text and the illustrations are actually on par with each other! Osprey seems to be in the constant process of revamping their line. This one is a step in the right direction. Not only are the ever popular Aztecs examined, the author also delves into the relatively ignored tribal alliances that they fought with over Mesoamerica. The subject was previously examined in another Osprey title, The Conquistadores (MAA 101 ) by Terence Wise. I recommend both, together. The disparity between Mexican and European styles of warfare will become readily apparent. I find myself rooting for the Aztecs, oddly enough... Both contain Angus Mcbride's wonderful paintings. You can't beat a dancing priest clad in human skin or an elite cuachic warrior with a mohawk! Usual complaints: the maps are damn near useless...

The book has good information on weapons, armies and Mesoamerican warfare in general. It has got beautiful and quite accurate drawings of several of the uniforms and outfits ancient Mexicans wore.

Just a piece of advice: if you are an Aztec history enthusiast, I HUGELY recommend looking for some Mexican authors, who have tried to clear some myths and erratic common beliefs about this culture. They have a vision of the Aztecs not through European-minded eyes. Pablo Moctezuma Barragan, Miguel de Leon-Portilla and Ignacio Romerovargas are good examples. Be warned however, that these authors may display too much nationalism in their texts. All in all, when reading ANYTHING about Prehispanic American civilizations, it is recommended to be critical and apply your own criteria.

This is a great book, highly suitable for anyone with an interest of knowing a little about how a really important region of America was like before Spain arrived.

Mesoamerican history can often be confusing. The ally of one day quickly became the enemy of the next. This book was somehow able to cut through that without sacrificing any of the detail. The end result is a very solid and informative account of these warriors and the wars they fought in.

Hey! Its got McBride doing the illustrations and it has some really good text to boot. That and it covers more than just the Aztecs but some of the lessor known tribes of Meso America.
Well done to all concerned!