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Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs (Ancient Peoples and Places) Paperback – June 14, 2013

by Michael D. Coe (Author), Rex Koontz (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 243 ratings
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“Masterly. . . . The complexities of Mexico’s ancient cultures are perceptively presented and interpreted.” ―Library Journal

Michael D. Coe’s Mexico has long been recognized as the most readable and authoritative introduction to the region’s ancient civilizations. This companion to his best-selling The Maya has now been revised by Professor Coe and Rex Koontz.

The seventh edition incorporates new findings in a number of disciplines. The solution to the long-standing puzzle of the origin of maize-farming has at last been solved, and spectacular new discoveries shed light on Mexico’s earliest civilization, the Olmec culture. At the great city of Teotihuacan, recent investigations in the earliest monumental pyramid indicate the antiquity of certain sacrificial practices and the symbolism of the pyramid. Expanded information on the Huastec region of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico is included, while discoveries in the sacred precinct of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan have led to a refined understanding of the history and symbolism of this hallowed area.
182 illustrations, 20 in color
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Thames & Hudson
  4. Publication date
    June 14, 2013
  5. Dimensions
    6.3 x 0.7 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780500290767
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0500290767
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A must for anyone interested in archaeology and history."
― DIG

About the Author

Michael D. Coe (1929– 2019) was Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Yale University and Curator Emeritus for the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University. His books include The Maya, Mexico, and Breaking the Maya Code.

Rex Koontz is Professor of Art History at the University of Houston and Consulting Curator of Ancient American Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. He has written widely on ancient Mexican art, architecture, and aesthetics.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0500290768
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thames & Hudson; 7th edition (June 14, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780500290767
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0500290767
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.45 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.3 x 0.7 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 243 ratings

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  1. Michael D. Coe

    Michael D. Coe

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    Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Yale University, Michael D. Coe is a specialist in the comparative study of ancient, tropical forest civilizations. Coe's books include The Maya, Mexico, The True History of Chocolate, Breaking the Maya Code, Reading the Maya Glyphs, and Angkor and the Khmer Civilization.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Rex Koontz

    Rex Koontz

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
243 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Julie
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book as long as you have some background on the subject beforehand
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book is similar in style to another book that Michael Coe wrote called "Maya". It focuses more on archaeology than on history or anthropology. I read that one before I knew anything about the Maya and right at the beginning of my 6-month trip through Mexico. I hated that book. It assumes you already know a lot about the Maya before reading it. I did not. And so it was boring and difficult to follow.

Now fast forward to the end of my trip through Mexico and I just finished another book by Michael Coe, "Mexico." It's written in the same archaeological dry way that assumes you already have some background on the subject matter. But because I've visited some of these places mentioned in the book and have read tons on Mexico and the Maya, I absolutely loved this book. When he talks about Monte Alban and Mitla, I can picture the ruins and the valley surrounding the ruins, the cactus, the mountains, and the fields of corn and agave. It puts everything in perspective for me. It clearly explains how all of these different groups are related to each other and when they existed during the different periods of Mesoamerica.

My recommendation is to read this book after you have some background on the prehispanic groups of Mexico and you have a geographic understanding of the different areas of Mexico.
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DLIFLC
5.0 out of 5 stars Still the best, after eight editions
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2014
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This excellent volume reviews the history of ancient Mexico from the Olmecs to the Aztec conquest, with frequent reference to the state of knowledge obtained from digs and available documents (a woefully small amount for the latter). He touches on the predisposition for the grotesque and monstrous in pre-Columbian art, which has always amazed me. I suspect that the common people of those times deserved a better religion and government than the one they had, steeped as it was in the blood of captives. This book is well worth the read, unbiased, scholarly, and balanced
7 people found this helpful
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sailor
5.0 out of 5 stars Serious information for those who love Mexico
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
Good information from page one.
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Terpsichore
4.0 out of 5 stars Good background, history
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2018
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The section I was after, the Toltecs, was limited to a small section but it was enough for the introduction I wanted before my trip to explore that culture. It isn't a quick read as it is more something you study and digest but it was well presented and written and a good prelude to the trip. More importantly it is a reference I'll use as I explore other cultures in Mexico in the future.
4 people found this helpful
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Viki
5.0 out of 5 stars Quite interesting and informative
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2014
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I’ve always loved archaeology, particularly in regards to the Americas. This book has a wealth of information on the civilizations of Mexico. It contains photos I haven’t seen elsewhere too. I found it interesting and it made me want to visit the sites to see them for myself. If you have an interest in the Aztecs, Olmecs, Toltecs, Zapotecs or any of the other great civilizations of Mexico you’d probably enjoy reading this as much as I did.
10 people found this helpful
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John Felix
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2019
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It's a fanstatic, fascinating and brilliant book. It is well-researched. I highly recommend it to any interested in this Republic's amazing history.
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Michael C.
3.0 out of 5 stars Not an easy read
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2017
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Seems to be the only book proving an approximation of full coverage of early meso-American history. Coverage is adequate. Book does not flow smoothly from period to period. The author is obviously a knowledgeable person (Professor at Yale). It appears he expects the reader to be as knowledgeable as he is.
One person found this helpful
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Gil
5.0 out of 5 stars Though this book addresses the general reader, it is ...
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2018
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Though this book addresses the general reader, it is still too much reliant upon archeological site reports. More synthesizing and generalizing of such esoteric material would provide a more accessible picture of Mesoamerica.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Ana L.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
Reviewed in Mexico on December 25, 2020
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Fue un regaló y eles encanto
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nigel rosewell
5.0 out of 5 stars Great potted history of ancient Mexican civilisation
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2017
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A look back way into history of the first civilisations in Mexico starting with Olmecs through to the Aztecs right up to before Cortes arrived with the conquistadores to brutalise and subjugate a once proud people
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Emma Greenwood
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2015
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After being in Mexico, this is a definite must have to deepen my knowledge on the history and areas I visited. It's a delight to read.
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Steve Hammond
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, poor introduction
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2018
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This is a great book, but it has a few problems. First, the book is heavily centred on describing archaeology rather than anthropology, archaeological sites are explained in intricate detail but such concepts as human sacrifice or cannibalism are mentioned as mere throw away comments without any further explanation... why were they sacrificed? how? It turns out this is described in more detail in the last and final chapter about the Aztecs but why wait so long to explain such a fundamental concept of Mesoamerica.

The first chapter contains a series of descriptions of the types of stone cutting tools found in prehistoric Mexico and they are described with archaeological terms without any explanation of what these specific tools are, the author just assumes you know. There were many times I felt exasperated reading this book, wishing the author would elaborate more on a concept or detail or talk more abut the people connected to the sites.

That said, if your primary concern IS archaeology then it is probably perfect for you, and I do now have a good understanding of what the great historical sites are in Mexico (and now dreaming of visiting them). Besides these problems this book is lavishly illustrated with illustrations and photos both colour and black and white. As mentioned above, the final chapter on the Aztecs is easily the best and ends on quite a sad note.

If you have a serious interest or love for Mesoamerica then this book is a must read, especially if you are able to visit the sites mentioned, if you have no knowledge about it at all and just want a simple chronology of Mexican history this may frustrate you especially with the lack of political or social commentary.
4 people found this helpful
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Lisa J
5.0 out of 5 stars Expensive but...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2013
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This book was a bit pricey but contained an abundance of information and facts about Mexico. The recipient was quite pleased with this book. It was a gift.
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