Reviews (5)

A Gem
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.

Excellent, and at this price...
This is a wonderful resouce for those interested in ancient Mexico.Full photographic facsimilies of these codices are hideously expensive, and really, most are not in great shape. After extensive research, we have here a great reproduction of what this important work looked like when it was "fresh off the presses."It is beautiful, and in comparison to Dover's similar Codex Nuttall, this work comes with a MUCH better introduction that explains more of the text, the context, and the ideology.Readers will be able to better understand some of the religious principles of the ancient Mexicans (and there is some debate whether this book was painted by Aztecs or Mixtecs, which I won't bore you with!).It shows gods, ceremonies, the calender, and other religious iconography which is interesting, and would be a revelation for more the artisticly inclined. The visuals are wonderfully presented and all in all this is an astonishing bargain.Those with even a casual interest in New World archaeology or art NEED to get this book.

Terrific insight
This book gives terrific insight into the ancient Mexicans, their theology and world view, and their way of life.The illustrations are extremely well done, and the interpretation is on the mark. A must-have for anyone interested in ancient Mesoamerica. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Aztec calendar    4. Aztec mythology    5. Aztecs    6. Calendar    7. Codex Borgianus    8. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies - Tribes    9. History    10. History - Prehistoric & Primitive    11. Manuscripts    12. Native American    13. Antiques & collectables: books, manuscripts, ephemera & printed matter    14. Decorative arts & crafts    15. History / Native American   

Reviews (2)

clear, easy to understand handbook
This book is clear, non-technical, and easy to read and understand.People interested in the subject will find it useful.

Aztec Calendar Handbook
Grammatical aside, there is no other treatise on pre-Columbian America and the Aztec Calendar as complete, concise and thought provoking as this one.I didn't notice the grammatical error until the fellow from Tejas spotted it.I was too amazed at having my perception of Native America shattered.After reading many books on the Aztecs, I bought this book and was favorably impressed by the depth, continuity and treatment of the entire subject matter.There is so much information in this book its astounishing. The bibliography contains over 200 sources. Direct eyewitnesses from the 16th century are quoted.The Time-Line is great.I will be referring to this book for years to come. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americas (North Central South West Indies)    2. Aztec calendar    3. Aztec cosmology    4. Aztecs    5. History    6. History: American    7. Native American    8. Prophecy    9. Science    10. Time   

Reviews (4)

Excelent, well thoughtout arguments
I read this book as part of a research project into the rise and fall of the Mexica, or Aztec. This book offered an interesting view of the Aztec, as a warfaring society which was propelled by a religous zelous that got out of hand and eventually caused the destabilization of a great empire. While I happen to disagree with certain arguments in this book they are all well justified with valid arguments. This field is constantly changing and is full of writers who don't have the background or the backing for their arguments, this is not one of them. Conrad and Demerest use fresh, compelling, and well thoughtout arguments to make an interesting point. If researching the Inca and Aztec this is a must read to achieve a good view of these two expansionist empires.

Has good and bad points
I read this book for a class on the emergence of state society.The book was great for its review of Aztec ideology and its resulting effects on the society.Too many authors ignore the importance of the way people think.However, archaeological evidence does not support their conclusions about the Inca's ancestor worship.But the book was good read, very fast paced and enjoyable.I recommend it.

Very detailed.
The book really gets into the nuts and bolts of the empires, showing you how ideas could give birth to and help expand the two cultures. But it also shows how the same ideas could hinder and even start to destroy the empireslater in their existance.Yet it is not hard to read and even delightfulat some points.They answer alot of questions I had about the Aztec andInca, making sure to support everything they say with lots of details.Amust of any history library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Archaeology    2. Aztec mythology    3. Aztecs    4. General    5. History    6. Incas    7. Latin America - Mexico    8. Politics and government    9. Religion - Church History    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Aztecs--History    13. History / Mexico    14. History / Native American    15. Religion-General    16. Social Science-Archaeology    17. South American archaeology    18. The Americas   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. American history: pre-Columbian period, BCE to c 1500 CE    3. Latin America    4. Mexico    5. Peru   

Reviews (4)

Successfull challenge
This book has deeply increased my motivation for learning more of the complex precolombian culture, and to visit again the Museo Nacional Antropologica, Mexico. I would recommend to read first David Carrasco " Religions of Mesoamerica ".

This is very Interesting
Excelent book, great author and great information.
Worthwhile but dense
A solid, useful one-volume survey of Mesoamerican art.Miller is a notedexpert in the field, and she does a commendable job of presenting a largeamount of information in a short space without resorting to superficiality. The text is clear and the photographs are both copious and well-chosen,with numerous color plates adding to the enjoyment.Read more

Subjects:  1. American Pre-Columbian Art    2. Archaeology    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Caribbean & Latin American    6. Central America    7. History - Ancient & Classical    8. History - General    9. Indian architecture    10. Indian art    11. Mexico    12. Ancient World    13. BCE to c 500 CE    14. Central American & Caribbean archaeology    15. History of art: BCE to c 500 CE, ancient & classical world    16. History of art: c 500 CE to c 1400   

Reviews (2)

Analytical Nahuatl Dictionary
This dictionary has 350 pages of excellent, well-documented Nahuatl entries, as well as an introductory chapter on orthographies and the basic elements of Nahuatl grammar. What it doesn't have is an English-Nahuatl index, so the dictionary will be much more useful to you if you are already familiar with Nahuatl, plan to use the book to read Nahuatl texts, or have a linguistic interest. If you're trying to learn the language, you may want to check out ISBN#0781810116 or ISBN#0806134526.

Great help for my linguistics research!
I found this analytical dictionary very well done and accessible. What is more, it was of great help in my research for my linguistics analysis class, in which we studied Nahuatl in an exercise. I recommend this book towhoever would like to learn more about this language, and also tolinguists. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aztec    2. Dictionaries    3. English    4. General    5. Nahuatl language    6. Native American Languages    7. Reference    8. Spanish    9. Spanish language    10. Bilingual dictionaries    11. Language & Linguistics    12. North & Central American indigenous languages   

Reviews (3)

A Valuable Voice
David Carrasco's fascinating account of Aztec cosmology and religious practices, City of Sacrifice, provides the reader with an innovative look at the culture.Moving beyond the shock-value of purported human sacrifice within the religious rituals of the Aztec people, Carrasco moves to focus on the broader context of these ceremonies:the symbolism used, the relationship between "center and periphery" as expressed through the physical movement and placement of the rites, and the manipulation or renewal of time, place, and personal identity.He extends his study further by examining the association of such religious acts with other aspects of society, from social class to foreign affairs.Carrasco's examples come from archaeological findings as well as writings, images, and relics representing both European and Aztec perspectives and interpretations.
This book is HORRIBLE!
Its unfortunate that freedom of speach also allows authors such as this to completley fabricate and slander an entire culture.There has been documented scientfic evidence of the fabrications that substantiated human sacrifice and the so called god theory.The reality is, europeans LACKED the understanding and knowledge that would allow them to comprehend the indigenous cultures they encountered.Their belief system was so different, that they saw EVIL where there was none.To this day there has been NO archeological or scientific PROOF of sacrifices.This book is nothing more than a good piece of fiction.

Fascinating, if grim, side of human religiousity
Fascinating study of Aztec religion in the context of the communal life of the City and the promotion of a common cosmologyand morality. Unlike manyauthors of Aztec religion, Carrasco doesn't shy away from presenting themost grim aspects of Aztec human sacrifice, (from the drawing of thornsthrough the tongue to the heart wrenching sacrifice of children to thephantasmagoric ripping of hearts from chest cavities). In presenting thesegrim aspects, Carrasco asks the question "why" and offers onepossible explanation in the context of the notion of communal city life andthe preservation of a common cosmology and morality via ritual and myth,even if violent. Carrasco admits, refreshingly, that this is not the onlyexplanation, and, in fact, we may never fully understand what would promptany civilization to such wholesale spiritual slaughter, but Carrasco is oneof very few scholars in religious studies willing to critically andobjectively deal with the notion of violence in religion.One caveat: thisis not a casual read and familiarity with Religious Studies and the work ofBurkert and Eliade is assumed. At times the text can be hard going and thecompletion of the book has the abruptness of falling off a cliff. But forreaders interested in the study of religion and how it shapes us, this bookis an important addition to your bookshelf. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. History    3. History - General History    4. Latin America - Mexico    5. Religion    6. Alternative belief systems    7. American history: pre-Columbian period, BCE to c 1500    8. History / Central America    9. Social & cultural anthropology    10. The Americas   

Reviews (3)

Why is this book out of print?
This is one of the best publications on the Aztecs, a major historical source that is accessible and fascinating. University of California Press made a mistake by including color illustrations and giving this a high price. It was always pricey for assignment for college classes, and now its out of print. It would have been better to give up the color illustrations and lower the price. But in any case this book it is worth looking at for anyone interested in the Aztecs, Mesoamerica, or native American cultures.

Awesome book about Aztecs!!
This Review is about the Essential Codex Mendoza, not the full blown expensive four volume edition:
Great guide for the lay person
Finally, a guide for the lay person who wants to understand Aztec culture. The Essential Codex is an abbreviation of an even larger tome published by the California Press in 1992. Here is the Rosetta stone for Mesoamerican studies. Kudos to the authors for providing such an insightful guide. Ron Mader El Planeta Platica ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aztecs    2. Codex Mendoza    3. Facsimiles    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Kings and rulers    7. Manuscripts, Nahuatl    8. Mexico - History    9. Native American    10. Native Americans - History    11. Taxation    12. American history    13. Anthropology    14. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    15. Mexico    16. Other prose: 16th to 18th centuries    17. Social Science / Anthropology / General    18. Spain   

Reviews (7)

Another Good Edition
This book is filled with all sorts of wisdom pertaining to out most blessed Lady of Guadalupe. There are maps of her vestments showing hidden symbols, there are spiritual exercises to bring you closer to Our Lady, and there are many historical facts presented about Our Lady's Origin. I am always glad to find new books about our Lady.

La Guadalupana
I bought this book without ever having heard of it or read it before. I am always attracted to anything on the subject of Our Lady Of Guadalupe. I was impressed with the content of this book because it presents a spiritual map inside the image of Guadalupe herself. If you are a follower of Guadalupe as divinity and Goddess then I would reccomend this book to you. The reason i have given it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the way the book itself is written, it is a bit dull and I found it difficult to simply read straight through, it reads a little bit like a high school history text book. At any rate, check this book out along with MAGIC FROM MEXICO by Devine.

not what I was looking for....
"Meticulously researched"?The book draws on a mere handful of references to wind up being partly Guadalupe history and partly eclectic self-help.I kept wishing it would be one or the other.If you're looking for something scholarly on the Virgin, try Ana Castillo's fine selection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - History - Catholic    2. Miraculous Phenomena    3. Religion    4. Religion - Classic Works    5. Religion / Catholicism    6. Spirituality - General    7. Apparitions and miracles    8. Blessed Virgin, Saint    9. Catholicism    10. Guadalupe, Our Lady of    11. Mary,    12. Mexico   

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - Coloring Books    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. Social Science - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology   

Reviews (15)

Please respect our culture
Joy Parker obviously has an economic stake in all of this, so I wonder a little bit about her motives. In Mexico, I think that what you would see generally is more along the lines of what Mr. Holman describes and not what is being claimed either by Avila or Parker. Parker seems to be saying that she is the final artiber in that she addressed these matters in her book and if you will just buy and read it, you will find out. That is both circular logic and it is evasive. And did I mention that it is self-serving in more than one way? I mean, I don't want to get in trouble for running down a whole genre of books that they sell on Amazon, but they would sell just as many if people would go for the scholarly kind, like the Trotter book for instance. I like that choice. I read Holman's review. He never said that they were right about everything but that they were still one of the best options. Parker is very unfairly spinning that.
From the Horse's Mouth
I am the co-author of Woman Who Glows in the Dark. I had not visited this page for quite some time and was deeply troubled to read the review written by Edward B. Holman. While everyone is entitled to their opinion, I feel that Mr. Holman has made some grave misjudgements about an author he has never met. He has also reported information, inaccurately and out of context, regarding a book I find it difficult to believe he has read. None of his references get beyond p. 28, and Chapter 1 starts on p. 41.
Another New Age book for the gullible
Lewt me start off by saying that I have been interviewing curanderos and curanderas in Mexico, along with their clients, for 15 years now, and I have read all of the major books on the subject, and I know what curanderismo is and what it isn't. This book is just another New Age piece of fiction, such as the market abounds with, and the author is taking advantage of the gullible with this work.
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Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Folk Medicine    5. Healing    6. Healing - General    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Holistic medicine    10. Magic    11. Native American Folklore    12. Spiritual healing    13. Women's Health - General    14. Complementary Medicine    15. Folklore    16. Health & Fitness / Women's Health    17. North America    18. Women's health   

Reviews (1)

An Excellent Reference
With 37 pages of documented references, Ayerza and Coates have established credibility with their findings of this old (but new) kid on the Essential Fatty Acid (EFA market. Chia seed, as well as hemp seed, is going to be a valuable source of EFAs in the not too distant future. Our waters are just too polluted and manufacturers too unscrupulous to keep up the facade that fish is the only source for the omega-3s our body needs. Ayerza and Coates goes into much detail on such subjects as the paradox of hunger and abundance; the importance of EFAs and the best sources of them as well as fats in general; why chia seed is one of the best sources of EFAs and many other nutrients; a detailed history of chia and where it seems to grow best (southern Mexico); the history of the Aztec people and their use of the seed; the various varieties and how to recognize them; and the oil's contribution to the preservation of art. The book also includes valuable tables of information and concludes with marketing ideas. Although the seed is a much needed food item, I fear that it can easily be exploited by manufacturers who see the value of the seed for other reasons than food. In this day and age of widespread hunger, food in general and good food (like chia and hemp seed) in particular, remains at the bottom of legislative concerns. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chia    2. Diet/Nutrition    3. Diets - General    4. Health & Fitness    5. Life Sciences - Horticulture    6. Native American    7. Science   

Reviews (2)

Very Informative!
Manuel's review of this book is excellent - I couldn't have written it any better! However, here's my two-cents worth:
Mexico: a civilization that predates Israel & Western Europe
This book makes it clear that the bulk of Mexican history (and Central America) has NOTHING at all to do with Europeans or anything "Latin American."
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Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Antiquities    3. Archaeology    4. Archaeology / Anthropology    5. History    6. History: World    7. Indians of Mexico    8. Latin America - Mexico    9. Mexico    10. Native Americans - History    11. Pre-Columbian Archaeology    12. To 1519    13. American history: pre-Columbian period, BCE to c 1500    14. History of specific racial & ethnic groups   

Reviews (1)

Outstanding!!!
This is one of the best books about the Aztecs I have seen. Despite its price it offers great and beautiful color photographs as well as very interesting and well written essays. You will not regret it!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - Native American    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Caribbean & Latin American    5. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Museum    6. Ethnic Studies - General    7. History - General   

Reviews (1)

Hidden wisdom of Aztec codex
John Major Jenkins is best known for his facinating work on the Mayan calendar, such as 'Maya Cosmogenesis 2012' and 'Galactic Alignment'. In this book, he explores the Aztec culture, and in particular an unknown codex discovered by his co-author friend Marty Matz, a 'beat poet' of the 1950's generation. In the book Jenkins provides a complete listing of the 13 page codex, along with his own commentary on its meaning. In addition, there is an autobiographical novella written by Marty, which reminded me of the writings of Carlos Castaneda. Jenkins is convinced of the authenticity of the codex and its part in the 'perennial philosophy'.
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Subjects:  1. Alternate Spirituality    2. Aztecs    3. Body, Mind & Spirit    4. General    5. Matz, Martin    6. Metaphysical Phenomena - General    7. Miscellanea    8. Mythical Civilizations    9. Native American Religions    10. New Age    11. Parapsychology    12. Parapsychology - General    13. Religion    14. Spiritual life    15. Spirituality - General    16. Body, Mind & Spirit / New Thought    17. Controversial Knowledge & Mysteries    18. North America    19. Spirit communication & mediumship, spiritualism    20. Works by individual poets: from c 1900 -   

Subjects:  1. History - General History    2. History: American    3. Latin America - Central America   

Reviews (3)

Concise
The Author Fermin Herrera put an extraordinary amount of work into this dictionary. The dictionary contains classical and contemporary Nahuatl.This is a great dictionary for students of Nahuatl and Mexica history.

Use with caution and other dictionaries
Hippocrene publishes several dozen "concise dictionaries" and most of these get ratings of one or two stars from readers. They seem to specialize in what some might call the more "exotic" or "unusual" languages, such as Sicilian, Uzbek, Twi, Sanskrit, Macedonian, Nepali and in this case Nahuatl. (None of the dictionaries I have listed have an average customer rating higher than two stars.) These books are not concise, and are arguably not even dictionaries, because for example, the Nahuatl-English/English-Nahuatl (Aztec) dictionary lacks any type of critical apparatus or source material commonly found in dictionaries. Also, as the previous reviewer pointed out we do not know whether this is a dictionary of Classical Nahuatl or of current Nahuatl dialects. My guess it's a combination of the two, which makes matters even more confusing. The small 6'' x 4" x 1" format suggests that these books are to be carried in the pockets of travelers and that they be used as guides, so that words such as airplane, polishing machine, crocodile, and observatory can be said to the "natives" when traveling in rural Veracruz, Tlaxcala or San Luis Potosi.
Not a dictionary but a vocabulary list!
This dictionary does not tell the reader if the translation is a word from "Classic Nahuatl" of the 16th -18th centuries; if it is from the Central Mexico area or from the peripheral Nahuatl dialects; or if it is a modern word from a regional dialect; or in the case of "Czech republic" or "United States"words that were totally made up (by the author perhaps?). It also leaves out very important information (such as glottal stops long and short vowels, etc)
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Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. English    3. English language    4. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    5. Foreign Language Study    6. Language    7. Miscellaneous    8. Nahuatl    9. Nahuatl language    10. Native American Languages    11. Polyglot Dictionaries    12. Polyglot Phrasebooks    13. Literary & Linguistic Reference Works    14. North & Central American indigenous languages   

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Folklore & Mythology    3. General    4. History Of Civilization And Culture (General)    5. Latin America - General    6. Mythology    7. Reference    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Latin America    11. Myths & mythology    12. Reference / General   

Reviews (3)

A great learning tool.
My compliments to Lee Ames and Creig Flessel for producing this "DRAW 50 PEOPLE" book. The step-by-step application to Mr. Flessel's wonderful drawings are an inspiration to the future artists in this world. Anyone wishing to improve their artistic skills (beginner or accomplished)would do well by following the examples in this book,(as well as the restof the draw 50 series). I always say "There's nothing like learningfrom the BEST"!

Draw 50 People
Draw 50 People is a great book.The book, like others in the series, has the would-be artist drawing right away. The drawings/directions are clear, well done and easy to follow, with excellent results.It's great for kidsand I even took a couple of ideas myself. I highly reccomend this book. Creig Flessel and Lee Ames did beautiful work in this book.Two thumbs up!

Only for kids
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 drawindividual 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 howto draw the helmet, the garb etc.. Second, the book doesn't follow basictechniques to learn how to draw. In my opinion this book should be for 5year olds in the house that are tired of coloring books. Buy a Jack Hammbook if you want to learn how to draw! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art - Drawing    3. Children's 9-12 - Art & Art Instruction    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    5. Drawing    6. Portrait drawing    7. Technique    8. Techniques - Drawing    9. Art / Drawing    10. Drawing & drawings    11. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. History    4. History: World    5. Latin America - General    6. Pre-Columbian Archaeology    7. American history: pre-Columbian period, BCE to c 1500    8. Mexico    9. USA