Prehistoric Mesoamerica [Hardcover]

Richard E. W. Adams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1991

In this revised edition of Prehistoric Mesoamerica, Richard E. W. Adams updates his widely adopted text with material from recent archaeological fieldwork to present a balanced summary and overview of the region that is today Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. Following an introduction to Mesoamerican studies, a brief geographic sketch of the region, and a summary of the major features of its civilizations, Adams examines in detail each period of cultural history: the first immigrants; the Olmec and their contemporaries; Maya beginnings and classic civilization; the great cities of Teotihuacan and Monte Alban; the rise and fall of the Toltec; and the civilizations of the Tarascans, Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Totonacs, and Aztecs.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When the Spanish first arrived on the shores of Mexico, they were astonished to find a monumental record of civilizations there that stretched back for hundreds, even thousands of years. Richard Adams provides a lively archaeological catalog and history of those civilizations--Olmec, Mayan, Teotihuacan, Toltec, Mixtec, Tarascan, and Aztec--in this well-illustrated reference. New discoveries are constantly forcing revisions in the archaeological record, especially in the chronology, but Adams's book is more up to date than many similar surveys. Travel in his pages through the Merchants barrio, Monte Alban, Palenque, and the great pyramid complexes, and you'll be well prepared for an on-the-ground tour of ancient Mexico. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

With a new publisher, Adams has updated his successful textbook on the pre-Columbian archaeology of Mexico and Guatemala (Little, Brown, 1977). This book is a no-nonsense, no-frills introduction to the Aztec, Maya, and their predecessors. It provides an information-packed summary of a complex field in which dramatic discoveries have been made in recent years. This edition is more readable, its illustrations are better distributed, and it is larger by 20 percent. Well written and current, it should be a hit on college campuses and among the informed public.
- William S. Dancey, Ohio State Univ., Columbus
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Univ of Oklahoma Pr; Rev Sub edition (June 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806123044
• ISBN-13: 978-0806123042
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,107,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Outdated overview, March 7, 2005

By 

A. Geurds (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Prehistoric Mesoamerica (Paperback)

Although it is argued (and mentioned on the cover) that this overview is revised, it seems to me a lot of 'ancient data' has escaped the attention of the compiler. Several regional and/or chronological sections contain information based on research now considered outdated. In fact, not just 'now' but even back in the early nineties when this revised edition was published. It is a pity that because of that many regional developments remain untouched: Where is central Mexico in this book? How about the Valley of Oaxaca (is 15 pages for Classic Oaxaca sufficient on any standard)? Etc etc. Only to those those who still consider Mesoamerica to be 'Maya and their neighbors' this overview will prove satisfactory. All others interested in an introduction to Mesoamerica should instead consider Smith and Masson's edited volume or Susan Toby Evans' recent compilation.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The publishers need to try harder, January 3, 2007

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denrensan "denrensan" - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Prehistoric Mesoamerica (Paperback)

Poorly edited (multiple mistakes regarding very specific names and places), bad use of poorly focused black and white snapshots, not written well. Simply a bad summary of better books. I wish I would have read the books the author of this text summarized. And then wrote this book, b/c I couldn't have done any worse!

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All you want, and need, to know on Mesoamerica, November 10, 2001

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"danielinyaracuy" (San Felipe, Yaracuy Venezuela) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prehistoric Mesoamerica (Paperback)

This revised edition is indeed a great book. Well written. Loaded with facts and interpretations but not overloaded. It reads really nicely, and furthermore, it can be read by sections if one wishes so, though it would be a pity. Some minor editing problems (e.g. some numbers seem unbelievable and are likely typos). Enough illustrations to rest the eyes of the reader, and adequate maps. But for this reviewer the best feature of this book is that the author tries to integrate the history of successive cultures of Mesoamerica. For example, if you want to know what happened to the post classic Mayas you will need to go to another chapter than the main one on Mayas. This way the mutual influences of cultures can be better understood, at least when those influences did take place. Very likely the best all around book on Mesoamerica that one could have on the bookshelves. My only grip is the title, slightly misleading since it suggests prehistory. If history is defined as from the time when a cultures can write its history, then what about the Mayas who had a complete writing system? Not very "politically correct" if you ask this reviewer.