Harriet J. Bauman
A Coloring Book of Incas
,
Aztecs and Mayas and Other PreColumbian Peoples
(Santa Barbara, California: Bellerophon Books), 1984.
Some very clear line drawings of the gods and costumes. The teacher could make thermal transparencies to use with an overhead projector. This book can be bought at the Yale Art Gallery, Chapel Street New Haven, Connecticut. One is also available on loan from the YaleNew Haven Teachers Institute, 53 Wall Street New Haven, Connecticut.
Bernal, Ignacio.
Mexico Before Cortez Art
,
History and Legend
translated by Willis Barnstone from the Spanish, (Garden City, New Jersey: Anchor Press/Doubleday), 1975.
An important account of the PreColumbian peoples in Mexico. A helpful pronunciation guide is included with phonetic descriptions of names of cities, gods, and peoples.
Brundage, Burr Cartwright.
The Fifth Sun Aztec Gods, Aztec World
(Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press, 1979.
An excellent source of information about the Aztec gods, religious rites, and how the Aztecs envision the universe. Terrific line drawings of the gods. I highly recommend this book’
Burnett, Jane.
Muchas Facetas de México
(Lincolnwood, Illinois: National Textbook Company).
A useful, appealing book to use with advanced Spanish classes. It contains a concise history of the Mexican people, ending in the Twentieth Century. Mexican culture is presented as well.
Carrasco, David.
Quetzalcoatl and the Irony of Empire Myths and Prophecies in the Aztec Tradition
(Chicago: University of Chicago Press), 1982.
This book is concerned with the Aztecs at the time of the Spanish Conquest. It gives a very detailed explanation of the god Quetzalcoatl’s life as man and god. Several pages are devoted to the Aztec Calendar. While not the most detailed book about the Calendar, it gives some insight to its importance in the Aztec culture.
Caso, Alfonso.
The Aztecs People of the Sun
translated by Lowell Dunham, (Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press), 1958.
A wellwritten, easytoread book. Another excellent source of information on the Aztec Calendar and Aztec gods. Good, clear illustrations of gods, ceremonies and festivals.
Crosher, Judith.
Aztecas
(Barcelona, Spain: Editorial Molino), 1979.
This book may be borrowed from the Migratory Children’s Program based at the Cooperative High School, 800 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut. Aztec civilization is presented in a concise manner. There are many illustrations depicting Aztec life. Another important source of information.
Durán, Fray Diego.
Book of the Gods and Rites and the Ancient Calendar
translated by Fernando Horcasitas and Doris Heyden, (Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press), 1971.
The definitive book on the Aztec Calendar! One of the most important sources because it was written by a priest soon after the conquest of the Aztecs by Cortez. There is much useful information in this book, but the reader must ignore the priest’s comments about the rites and ceremonies of the Aztecs being sacrilegious, while gathering information on the ceremonies. His comments are interesting because they show the means by which the Spanish destroyed the Aztecs: the Catholic religion.
Helfritz, Hans.
Mexican Cities of the Gods An Archeological Guide
(New York: Frederick A. Praeger), 1968.
A very interesting book. Some very good information about Aztec civilization and the Calendar.
Leyendac Mexicanas
(Lincolnwood, Illinois: National Textbook Company).
This book contains some very interesting Mexican legends. Students will enjoy reading them!
Prown, Jules David. “Mind in Matter: An Introduction to Material Culture Theory and Method”
Winterthur Portfolio
Vol. 17, No. 1 (The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum), 1982.
A clear, exact explanation of object analysis and its method.
Soustelle, Jacques.
The Daily Life of the Aztecs on the Eve of the Spanish Conquest
(New York: The Macmillan Company), 1962.
Another important book on the Aztecs. An excellent source for details about their daily life. Good chapter on the Aztecs’ concept of the universe.
Thompson, J. Eric.
Mexico Before Cortez An Account of the Daily Life, Religion, and Ritual of the Aztecs and Kindred Peoples
(New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons), 1933.
A highly recommended source of Aztec civilization. A good explanation of the Aztec religion and the Calendar.
Vaillant, George C.
Aztecs of Mexico Origin
,
Rise and Fall of the Aztec Nation
(Garden City, New Jersey: Doubleday and Company), 1947.
Another book well worth reading. The chapters on religion and ritual offer important information.
