
The Aztecs
Lost Civilizations
Frances F. Berdan(Author)
Reaktion Books (Publisher)
Published on 14. June 2021
Book
Hardback
232 pages
978-1-78914-360-7 (ISBN)
Description
In this rich and surprising book, Frances F. Berdan shines fresh light on the enigmatic, ancient Aztecs, the Nahuatl-speaking people living in the Basin of Mexico from ad 1325 to 1521. She casts her net wide, covering topics as diverse as ethnicity, empire-building, palace life, etiquette, origin myths and human sacrifice. While sometimes described as 'stone age', the Aztecs' achievements were remarkable. They built wondrous city-states such as Tenochtitlan and Texcoco, constructed lofty temples and produced fine arts in precious stones, gold and shimmering feathers. They crafted beautiful poetry and studied the sciences. They had schools and libraries, entrepreneurs and money, and a bewildering array of deities and dramatic ceremonies. Based on the latest research and lavishly illustrated, this book reveals the Aztecs to be a civilization of sophistication and finesse.
Reviews / Votes
[Written] with style and verve . . . Berdan's Aztecs is more of a general survey, but one based on a lifetime of research and study. * New York Review of Books * Most of this knowledgeable and accessible introduction to the Aztecs - the fruit of a lifetime's study - is concerned with matters such as food and drink, textiles and dress, pottery and art objects, dwellings and architecture, the social divisions of society, trade and the economy, religion and mythology, and, inevitably, the notorious Aztec penchant for human sacrifice . . . Some excellent illustrations add to the volume's readability. * Science * In this compact illustrated volume, Berdan provides us with a wealth of fascinating detail about Aztec life. For the general reader, her book makes a wonderful introduction to the subject, wearing its considerable scholarship lightly and bringing this lost civilisation of Mesoamerica to vivid life. * Minerva magazine * This accessible book is thorough, well-illustrated, and highly recommended as a comprehensive insight into a fascinating civilisation. -- Mark Merrony * Antiqvvs * Part of the Lost Civilizations series published by Reaktion Books, The Aztecs suggests new ways of seeing its subject: instead of focusing on leaders like the ill-fated Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin, she expands her lens to include the people they governed. * Mexico News Daily * The Aztecs is wonderfully informative and insightful, totally up to date and draws together a large body of evidence about Aztec society and culture, from codices to ethnohistory and archaeology. Written by a leading Aztec scholar who has spent decades producing pivotal and groundbreaking research, this book is a delight - accessible yet intellectually challenging, and full of stimulating information and captivating detail. * Elizabeth Baquedano, Senior Honorary Lecturer at the Institute of Archaeology, UCL *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Interest Age: 10 years
Illustrations
59 illustrations, 40 in colour
Dimensions
Height: 219 mm
Width: 143 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
596 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78914-360-7 (9781789143607)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
06/2021
Reaktion Books
€14.99
Available for download
Person
Frances F. Berdan is Professor Emerita of Anthropology, California State University San Bernardino. Among her numerous books and articles are (with Michael E. Smith) Everyday Life in the Aztec World (2020), Aztec Archaeology and Ethnohistory (2014), and (ed. with Patricia Anawalt) The Codex Mendoza (1992).