Recommended Reading List

This is only a small list, but for the number of people who write to me asking for more resources, here it is. Some of these books are mentioned in my book reviews section. Others I have not had the time to write reviews for. Some that feature in my reviews section aren't even here, as they are not recommended. In light of this, I would recommend any of the books in this section, though I may have some commentary or warnings about some of them. If I have not handled this already in the reviews section, I will simply make short note of it. Most of these books are available from amazon.com, though some of the more obscure ones may come up once in a while on ebay, or be available from the universities that published them. Also, because I feel lazy today and most people probably don't care, I have simply included the titles and authors for now. This is really all you need to look most of them up.

Religions of Mesoamerica, David Carrasco

Good general overview of Mesoamerican worldviews and religious concepts, from the Olmecs to the Aztecs. Short and easily readable for the layperson.

Native Mesoamerican Spirituality, Miguel Leon-Portilla, J. O. Arthur Anderson, Charles E. Dibble, Munro S. Edmonson

Ignoring Miguel Leon-Portilla's pet theories, the translations are invaluable. Includes translations of the Huehuetlatolli (Discourses of the Elders), the Popol Vuh (Book of Council), poems by Nezahualcoyotl and others, and other random snippets of native texts.

Codex Borgia: A Full Color Restoration of the Ancient Mexican Manuscript, Gisele Diaz, Alan Rodgers

Simply the most beautiful and detailed of the surviving codices, in my opinion. Mainly a tonalamatl (book of fate).

Mexico: From the Olmecs to the Aztecs, Michael D. Coe

For general historical information, this book is a great starter. If you are looking more specifically for religious information, however, this only gives the very basics.

Daily Life of the Aztecs on the Eve of the Spanish Conquest, Jacques Soustelle

This book is so good and honoring to the Aztecs that even Ollin Tezcatlipoca doesn't criticize it. Enough said.

Treatise on the Heathen Superstitions: That Today Live Among the Indians Native to This New Spain, 1629, also published as Aztec Sorcerers in 17th Century Mexico, Hernando Ruiz de Alarcon

The lengthy names are due to the fact that practically everything published from this time period was given a name long enough to practically give you all the information contained in the book. :p Seriously however, if you want to specifically know more about Aztec sorcery and magical practices, this is the book you want as it is one of those "native informant" texts. Also contains the always fun Spaniard commentary about the work of the devil.

Book of the Gods and Rites and the Ancient Calendar, Diego Duran

Another native informant text, though this time with even higher Spanish preaching content! Really, if you can stomach it, these books are invaluable. And I spit upon anyone who questions the honor of the Mexican people who had fallen only a decade before, and still remembered far better than the wanna-be Mexica what their religion meant to them.

An Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya, Mary Miller, Karl Taube

No one interested in Mesoamerica should be without this handy reference guide.

Mockeries and Metamorphoses of an Aztec God: Tezcatlipoca, "Lord of the Smoking Mirror", Guilhem Olivier, Michel Besson

If you are specifically looking for detailed information on Tezcatlipoca, this is the book to get if you can afford it. It may actually be a bit too detailed.

The Broken Spears, Miguel Leon-Portilla

The Aztec account of the conquest.

City of Sacrifice, David Carrasco

Avoid this book if you are not heavily into the subject or have no familiarity with general theological concepts. This is heavy on the scholarship and, in fact, rather dry. It does however contain discussions and analysis of sacrifice, including the less often discussed festivals.

An Analytical Dictionary of Nahuatl, Frances Karttunen

If you're looking for a good Nahuatl dictionary, this one is fantastic. You need to be somewhat familiar with basic Nahuatl, however, as it is purely Nahuatl to English and Spanish. The introductory section gets extra kudos for addressing subtle issues of pronounciation and spelling often glossed over in your typical "X is SH, A is AH" pronounciation guides.

Nahuatl As Written: Lessons in Older Written Nahuatl, With Copious Examples and Texts, James Lockhart

Basically what the name says. Very useful if you want to tackle old Nahuatl texts. Don't bother if you're not interested in learning how to translate for yourself, though.

The Art of the Aztecs, Nigel Cawthorne

I'm including this book because it contains some of the most beautiful examples of Aztec art you can find. It's mainly a picture/coffee table type book, of course. If you want to sit down with a copy of Native Mesoamerican Spirituality to read Nezahualcoyotl's lamentations about nothing lasting forever on earth, this is the perfect visual accompaniment to enhance your sadness. ;)