The Aztecs (Peoples of America) [Hardcover]

Michael E. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Series: Peoples of America | Publication Date: September 2002

This book is a vivid and comprehensive account of the Aztecs, the best-known people of pre-Columbian America. It examines their origins, civilization, and the distinctive realms of Aztec religion, science, and thought. It describes the conquest of their empire by the Spanish, and the fate of their descendants to the present day in Central Mexico, making use of the results of the latest excavations, historical documentation, and the author's first-hand knowledge. There is also a fascinating and detailed account of the daily life of the Aztec people, including their economy, family life, class system, and food. This second edition updates the original text with new descriptions of major archaeological sites such as Malinalco and Tlatelolco and expanded coverage of codices, religion, and areas distant from the capital. Dozens of photographs and illustrations have been added for this edition, making this the most informative and up-to-date treatment of Aztec civilization.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Of the many overviews of the Aztecs, such as those by Brian Fagan (The Aztecs, 1984) and Robert Townsend (The Aztecs, LJ 5/15/92), this is the first to break from the traditional focus on the nobility and on urban life in Tenochtitlan. Within the framework provided by the chronicles and by monument archaeology, Smith (Architectural Research of Aztec-Period Rural Sites in Morelos, Mexico, Vol. 1, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 1992) summarizes the results of archaeological research conducted largely in the past 30 years into the everyday lives of ordinary people in the villages, hamlets, and farmsteads from many regions of central Mexico. His method permits a fresh view of such topics as agricultural methods, population size, market system, relations between city-states and the empire, and even human sacrifice. Smith carries his social account of these people through transformation under Spanish rule and their legacy in modern Mexico. This most comprehensive survey to date on the Aztecs belongs in libraries interested in Pre-Columbian America.?William S. Dancey, Ohio State Univ., Columbus
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Smith provides a compelling reinterpretation of the standard history of the Aztec empire. Based upon archaeological research conducted during the past 15 years, rather than on subjective chronicles recorded by conquering Spaniards, this revisionist analysis offers a fresh perspective on the political, cultural, and social institutions and mores of the Aztecs. Detailed accounts of the Aztec approach to government, design, urban planning, economics, science, religion, the arts, and literature are also included. In addition, the author offers both an examination of the inevitable destruction and demise of the Aztec empire and a dynamic overview of the modern impact of the Aztec legacy. A significant contribution to the history of an impressive society of Native Americans. Margaret Flanagan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Blackwell Publishers; 2 Sub edition (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631230157
• ISBN-13: 978-0631230151
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,900,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Overview, October 30, 2003

By 

R. Albin (Ann Arbor, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Aztecs (Peoples of America) (Paperback)

This is an excellent summary book on Aztec civilization. Well organized and written clearly, this book is distinguished from prior overviews by its integration of archaelogical information that has permitted some understanding of the life of the majority of Aztec commoners. Smith covers Aztec history, the physical and ecological basis of their society, agriculture and economy, art and religion, and the organization of Aztec polities. The book is illustrated well. This is definitely the best single book I have read on this topic and has an excellent bibliography for those wishing to pursue the literature in depth. This book is part of the Peoples of America series published by Blackwell. I've read another book in this series, The Incas by D'Altroy, which is first rate. The publishers deserve a pat on the back for producing this highly informative series.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Well Organized Introduction, July 21, 2000

By 

Walter O. Koenig "Amoxtli" (San Diego, California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aztecs (Peoples of America) (Paperback)

This Book is well organized, illustrated and written. The various aspects of Aztec Civilization and History are organized into seperate Chapters, making this Book both, a good Introduction and Reference Book. A look at the Bibliography reaveals all the right sources. Scholarly, yet accessible.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very readable introduction to the Aztecs, October 20, 2000

By 

Dudley B. Smith (East Lansing, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aztecs (Peoples of America) (Paperback)

I'm an engineer, not a historian or archeologist, yet I very much enjoyed this book. It didn't get boring, and made learning about the life of the Aztecs interesting. It was scholarly yet accessible.