Aztec and Maya: An Illustrated History

by Charles Phillips, David M. Jones (Consultant Editor)

This wide-ranging reference book covers almost 3000 years of history, offering enthralling insights into the art and architecture, myths and legends, and everyday life of the many different empires of Central America and Mexico.



Stories of sun-gods and blood sacrifice, of pyramids and temples, and of the fabulous treasuries filled with gold have fascinated many generations and are explored in detail, in this sumptuous new large-format edition. The World Heritage sites of historic Mexico City and Tenochtitlán, Teotihuacán, Chichén Itzá, Tikal and Monte Albán, are examined giving life to the civic, military and everyday world of the time. This unrivaled volume is not only a perfect introduction to the history of these lost civilizations, but also a stunning visual record of a unique period that has helped to shape our world.

Genres: Nonfiction

512 pages, Hardcover

Published December 20, 2019

About the author

There is more than one author by this name on Goodreads

Charles Phillips (b. 1962) is an established writer of popular history, a contributor to Cassell's Dictionary of Modern Britain as well as to the Chronicle of Britain and several illustrated stories.

He has a keen interest in the mythology and history of the great Maya and Aztec civilizations and was a key writer on Time Life's Myth and Mankind series.
Phillips is a graduate of Oxford University, and holds an MA from the University of Westminster.

See also:
Charles Phillips, 1787-1859
Charles Phillips, Goodreads author, Historical Fiction
Charles Phillips, b.1948, American history

Reviews

[David Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a large history of Mesoamerican cultures. As the title states, it does focus mainly in the Aztecs and Mayans, but also delves into the Olmecs, Zapotecs, Toltecs, Mixtecs, and whoever it was that built Teotihuacan (Hint- they still don't know!). The book covers the history, lifestyles, and cultures of people who build fascinating civilizations. It would be easy to admire them if not for the who human sacrifice thing (which this book doesn't shy away from). It may not go into the detail academic works would, but as a general history it is more than thorough, covering countless facets of these civilizations and how they lived. A great reference reads for fans of pre-Columbian American history.