Mexico Books

Years ago, when preparing for my three-year 50-state road trip I'd purchased a load of travel guides to help plan what to see in each state, and was fairly satisfied until I stumbled upon my first ART OF STATE book in Iowa. This unique book made all other travel books pale by comparison. Although small and slim the books throughout this series are packed with meaningful information. Beautifully designed and written, they are thoroughly engaging and a joy to read--like finding an ancestor's scrapbook or diary in the attic and reading a fascinating family heritage while viewing images of a buried past. Each author in the ART OF STATE series must be a native or a deliberate transplant, for each state story is lovingly told with a deep appreciation of the state--and not just its good features, but the blemishes, too, described evenhandedly and complemented by photographs of architecture, landscapes paintings, crafts and memorabilia. Each book presents the state's history, climate, landscape, traditions, symbols, recipes, must-see destinations as well as a statewide calendar of events. I've since purchased all the books in the series (20 of the 50 states as of 2008). If your budget won't allow you to buy all 20, at least buy two: one of your home state and one of your adopted state. You'll be amazed at what you'll discover.

I apologize for raving so much about THE ART OF STATE series, but it was such a find for me, like discovering a diamond in a sea of glass. I can't help but gush.

Each book's frontispiece has a wallpaper design: a background color, unique to the state, dotted with a state motif. I've begun playing a game with each new book I purchase in this series trying to guess what the wallpaper motif will be before opening the boo. Sometimes I correctly guess the motif, but rarely the background color. For New Mexico, it's bright red chili peppers dotting a Yucatan yellow background. Sweet.

Now, about the New Mexico edition ... On the dark side, New Mexico served as the hideout for two killers: Billy the Kid and the atom bomb. But that's the only shadow on this sun drenched land. Read about the various Pueblo, Mexican, Spanish and American influences in this state of fabulous landscapes, luscious cuisine, turquoise jewelry, and clay art, architecture and crafts. The vast desert vast terrain and limitless sky not only attracted artists, but aliens, too, in the town of Roswell, where aliens landed and a museum marks the spot. The fabulous land of mountains, deserts, mesas and pine forests attracted writers and artists to Taos and Santa Fe which became celebrated artist colonies, by accident. In the 19th century two traveling artists broke a wagon wheel en route to California and stayed in the glorious state, founding artist societies in each town. Famed New York artist Georgia O'Keeffe spent the second half of her 90 years painting the doom of the New Mexican desert bones, abandoning her typical bold blooms. Writer D.H. Lawrence said: "I think New Mexico is the greatest experience from the outside world that I ever had. It certainly changed me forever. Curious as it may sound New Mexico liberated me from the present era of civilization..." No wonder the state nickname is "Land of Enchantment."

I loved the book. I have lived in N.M. for 27 years and find this book the best short history thru Art I have ever seen. It has everything you would want down to the UFO's.

I loved this book. It is a fun way for you to understand history at any age. It has cartoons and great jokes. History books are normaly boring, on the other hand this book will make you laugh out loud and roll on the floor.Thats how intertaning it is! Read it and you will adore everything about it!

This books are wonderful. They make learning history fun and cool. It combines jokes, historical facts and funny information in a great easy-to-read package. My 4th grader loves the whole series. Both reluctant readers and history lovers will enjoy the breezy way history is told in these books. Ideal for 3rd-5th graders and even middle school students. Great as gifts or for a classroom. Too bad all history books aren't this fun!

From the back cover: "Pasztory has placed these major works of Pre-Columbian art in a historical context, relating them to the reigns of individual rulers, events in Aztec history, and the needs of different social groups from the elite to the farmer. She focuses on the little-known aspects of the aesthetics, poetry, and humanity of the Aztecs.
In 1984 the book received a Special Citation from the Charles Rufus Morey Book Award Committee of the College Art Association."

A wonderful book; I'd buy another like it in a heartbeat. For Mesoamerican/Aztec cultural arts fans, this is a "must buy" and makes a SUPER gift!

Anyone serious about understanding the Aztec mind and social order should read both "Time and Sacrifice in the Aztec Cosmos" (K. A. Read) and also, "THE JADE STEPS" by Burr Cartwright Brundage (University of Utah Press; (c)1985; ISBN# 0-87480-247-4). FYI, Dr. Brundage has authored nearly a dozen extraordinarily well written and researched books on Aztec civilization; most are (sadly) tough to find.

When I say this book is totally sweet I mean this book is TOTALLY SWEET!!!! I found this book to be a great introduction to the fascinating civilization of the Aztecs. The text stays vivid and colorful through the skill of the author and with the help of engaging first hand accounts. The pictures add a lot to present a detailed and interesting view of Ancient Aztec civilization. Yeah, this book rocks so hard I put it on my wishlist, even though I already read it.

This is an admirable example of how to introduce non-experts to an ancient culture without being pedantic or boring. In one hundred and fifty pages, Boone gives us a very readable summary of Aztec history, culture, religion, economics, and politics. While she describes the horrors of human sacrifice, she also lets us see the more positive sides of Aztec life, including the glory of Tenochtitlan. She helps us to understand how a small number of Spaniards brought down the empire. The book is well illustrated in color.

Great review of life in Rome. Good pictures. Fun mystery for kids to solve. My girls ages 6 & 8 loved the book, especially the mystery. We have enjoyed Ardagh's History Detectives of Greece and Egypt as well.

This is a easy read, better then Usbourne.
The illusrations are great and covers important figures,
religion, government,science, sports,daily life, arts,
everything. Then it finishes with a mystery for review.
Sure to keep kids and adults interested.

Any student of early Spanish history or Aztec history must take a look at AZTECS & CONQUISTADORES: THE SPANISH INVASION & THE COLLAPSE OF THE AZTEC EMPIRE, which surveys the impact the Spanish conquests had on world history. The focus here is upon the military might of Cortes, the training and experience of men on both sides of the conflict, and the major battles that subdued the Aztecs. Color maps, illustrations and charts throughout enhance the survey and provide exact explanations and insights suitable for both high school and college level history students.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Well written with excellent pictorial information. And one who has done any kind of research into this period of history and was curious about how things actually looked would be very interested in seeing good detailed and written descriptions of maps, battle suits, weaponry and other items of the period. A good overview of the events during this period in Mexico's history, but the book is more valuable as a visual insight. Would highly recommend this as an ideal companion book to read with a more detailed historical book of this period in history, such as Bernal Diaz del Castillo's book of the conquest or William H. Prescott's wonderfully written History of the Conquest of Mexico.

Aztecs Under Spanish Rule is an in-depth study of the evolution of the historical relationship between the Native Mexicans and the Spaniards in Colonial Latin America. The story begins with the cultural differences between the two groups after the Spaniard's conquering effort over the Aztecs, 1519-1521. The social-cultural alterations and reorganizations that took place during the process of their co-existence within the Mexican mesa central from that point until Mexico's bid for independence, in 1821, are the general themes within the topics of each chapter. Gibson begins with a brief historical sketch of the landscape and human occupation of the Valley of Mexico, and each following chapter covering such historical topics as settlement patterns, land use, politics, religion and social structures literally has the potential of being its own disquisition. The author unleashes a flood of data, references and Indian names that cascade over the pages; unless the reader is in firm command of the Mexican Indian terminology, the glossary will become a welcomed reference bookmark. The overall effect of subjugation by the Imperial Spanish over the once Imperial Aztecs is visible in nearly all facets of life. This transformed society becomes the foundation for modern-day Mexico City and the greater Mexican society. The typical form of the chapters is a chronologically based essay. Beginning at or close to the point conquest, and traversing through the next three centuries, stopping at important junctions, at which point Gibson provides connecting vignettes that illuminate this region and inhabitant's path of history. Thus the scholarly Aztecs Under Spanish Rule is not overwhelming and is a quite digestible text that lay persons with interest in Mexican or Latin American history will find most agreeable. Even though the structuring of the chapters and their content is consistent and readable, Gibson's work is essentially a historical text that suffers from a lack of narration. The people and their situations do not come alive; they are presented in a flat, matter of fact manner, negating Aztecs Under Spanish Rule's potential as a page-turner. The most commendable list of primary sources permits the author to introduce an enviable texture, however, the fine combing does not occur, which would have produced a more human connected story. It is hard to imagine that the plethora of letters in the bibliography did not allow for the inclusion of longer, more personable and illuminating quotes. The very strength of each chapter as its own tractate, in this reviewer's opinion, becomes the book's undoing. At the conclusion of each topical chapter, we are back in the starting gate once again. That is not to say that Gibson's work is anything less than exemplary, rather simply that its topical structure somewhat takes away from author's ability to maintain the reader's imagination and focus as the story begins, unfolds, begins then unfolds, and begins and unfolds yet again and again. Once transported back in time, a connection is made, and an anticipation of the unfolding of the story builds. Severing this association repeatedly disconnects the reader from the flow of history. This could however be a matter of personal taste. Gibson states in his preface that he spent nearly twelve and one-half years researching and assembling this extraordinary piece of historical scholarship. His extensive appendixes, notes and bibliography speak well of his not brief dedication in compiling this work. For those aroused by the subject and feel the need to go deeper, this is a great starting point. The selection of maps and plates further illuminate this recommended history of Mexico. Try to remeber as well, that this work really stirred the waters when it came out, portraying the Spanish Conquest as, well, what a conquest is really all about.

Aztecs Under Spanish Rule is an in-depth study of the evolution of the historical relationship between the Native Mexicans and the Spaniards in Colonial Latin America. The story begins with the cultural differences between the two groups after the Spaniard's conquering effort over the Aztecs, 1519-1521. The social-cultural alterations and reorganizations that took place during the process of their co-existence within the Mexican mesa central from that point until Mexico's bid for independence, in 1821, are the general themes within the topics of each chapter. Gibson begins with a brief historical sketch of the landscape and human occupation of the Valley of Mexico, and each following chapter covering such historical topics as settlement patterns, land use, politics, religion and social structures literally has the potential of being its own disquisition. The author unleashes a flood of data, references and Indian names that cascade over the pages; unless the reader is in firm command of the Mexican Indian terminology, the glossary will become a welcomed reference bookmark. The overall effect of subjugation by the Imperial Spanish over the once Imperial Aztecs is visible in nearly all facets of life. This transformed society becomes the foundation for modern-day Mexico City and the greater Mexican society. The typical form of the chapters is a chronologically based essay. Beginning at or close to the point conquest, and traversing through the next three centuries, stopping at important junctions, at which point Gibson provides connecting vignettes that illuminate this region and inhabitant's path of history. Thus the scholarly Aztecs Under Spanish Rule is not overwhelming and is a quite digestible text that lay persons with interest in Mexican or Latin American history will find most agreeable. Even though the structuring of the chapters and their content is consistent and readable, Gibson's work is essentially a historical text that suffers from a lack of narration. The people and their situations do not come alive; they are presented in a flat, matter of fact manner, negating Aztecs Under Spanish Rule's potential as a page-turner. The most commendable list of primary sources permits the author to introduce an enviable texture, however, the fine combing does not occur, which would have produced a more human connected story. It is hard to imagine that the plethora of letters in the bibliography did not allow for the inclusion of longer, more personable and illuminating quotes. The very strength of each chapter as its own tractate, in this reviewer's opinion, becomes the book's undoing. At the conclusion of each topical chapter, we are back in the starting gate once again. That is not to say that Gibson's work is anything less than exemplary, rather simply that its topical structure somewhat takes away from author's ability to maintain the reader's imagination and focus as the story begins, unfolds, begins then unfolds, and begins and unfolds yet again and again. Once transported back in time, a connection is made, and an anticipation of the unfolding of the story builds. Severing this association repeatedly disconnects the reader from the flow of history. This could however be a matter of personal taste. Gibson states in his preface that he spent nearly twelve and one-half years researching and assembling this extraordinary piece of historical scholarship. His extensive appendixes, notes and bibliography speak well of his not brief dedication in compiling this work. For those aroused by the subject and feel the need to go deeper, this is a great starting point. The selection of maps and plates further illuminate this recommended history of Mexico. Try to remember that this work was groundbreaking in its time.

This is one of the better books written on the pre-columbian history of Anahuac (Mexico). The only negative comment i have regards the book's title. The people of Tenochtitlan did not refer to themselves as "Aztec," but as Mexica. Aside from this, Davis is an excellent writer and his text reads more like a novel than a "history book." Highly reccommended as an introduction to Mexica history.

Nigel Davies has given the english speaking world a top notch history of the Mexica people (a.k.a. Aztecs). This history was required reading for one of my undergraduate courses.

Davies traces the history of the Mexica from their pseudo-mythical origins to the post-conquest era. His is primarily a political history, although a quality political history cannot exist by itself without reference to the social and religious milieu as well. Davies develops these in a cause and effect manner very well.

In regards to the Mexica, their religious beliefs seemed to be the force that prompted them on to conquest. They believed themselves to be a people chosen by the gods to conquer the world as they knew it. It was also their religious beliefs that, to some extent, thwarted an effective defense against the Spanish conquistadors.

This book is a summary of the events. However, it would appear that it is one of the few available in the English language. Simply put, a brief review of Davies' endnotes demonstrates that the vast majority of research into this area is in Spanish.

That being said, this book is a wonderful starting point for researching Aztec history. Davies gives in-depth analysis on all of the Mexica emperors. I cannot recommend it highly enough primarily because it is well balanced. The Mexica are not demonized nor are they lauded as an exceptionally "moral" people. The same goes for Davies' treatment of the Spanish conquistadors. This book rates high for its impartiality and its content.

I was particularly impressed with its treatment of post-conquest Mexico. This was a time when the Church, and most particularly the Franciscans, tried to cope with what was often a greedy Castillian hierarchy bent on extracting all wealth from the heartland of New Spain without regard to the welfare of the native peoples. The scathing reports about the abuses of the Spanish warlords, for lack of a better word, to Emperor Charles V by the religious authorities were particularly interesting.

I highly recommend this history.

If you have traveled in the Yucatan, you know about the hot humid weather. Most likely, you will be visiting archeological sites, beaches, restaurants and who-knows-what! Along the way, it sure is handy to have a good map, even though you will find the locals friendly and helpful.

This laminated map is absolutely the best I have seen in over a dozen trips to all parts of the Yucatan. The plastic surface can be wiped down. It doesn't get soggy in the jungle - or beachside - air. The roads are shown accurately (although minor routes are not visible, but this map covers a lot of area). The detailed maps of downtown Merida are clear and easy to follow. If I had just one map to take, it would always be this one.

(Please note that I am a map fanatic and have a few dozen maps of the Yucatan, in varying degrees of detail and accuracy. This is the one I always leave the house with!)

I purchased this map for a week-long trip spanning across Yucatan, Mexico. I had used a map by this publisher for the DR with great results.

The laminated material holds up quite well to repeated opening and folding (and misfolding), as well as rain and other accidents frequent when road-tripping.

All of the major routes are well marked, as well as a lot of minor ones. While it's often easy to find maps of cities within tour books, maps that span the entire state *and* provide sufficient detail are very rare. This map is a necessity if you plan to drive around the state.

Gas stations are marked well, as in rural areas, there may only be one every hundred miles or so. Even small routes narrow and with livestock running free were marked on the map. When we took a wrong turn, we were thankful to have this map to send us on the right track via a secondary road.

The blow-ups of cities are also a great feature, again because tour-book maps often have the centers of cities only while this map included the surrounding areas.

The only note is that the spellings of some cities varied from the ones on the road signs, but that was a minor point.

I bought the Norte and Sur map books a few years ago. They are excellent. Simply the best maps of Baja. Easy to use, a wonderful legend, and I love the book format, no need to fold up the map.

If you can find them, buy them. Especially if you plan on driving Baja.

I purchased the new most current almanac edition 2003 being sold here. It has both Northern and Southern Baja in one almanac, so I don't need two almanacs anymore. This is by far the most up-to-date detailed map of Baja available on the market.