Pre-Columbian America Myths and Legends

by Donald A. Mackenzie

From the back "The Americas in the time before Columbus's voyage were not the isolated regions of barbarism some had imagined. The ancient civilizations of the Aztec, Toltec, Maya and Inca were developed to such a degree that in several respects - such as mathematics, predictive astronomy and irrigation - they surpassed the Europeans who conquered them. This fascinating book concentrates on the highly developed societies of Meso-America, the areas we now call Mexico and Central America, placing their remarkable accomplishments in the rich context of their culture.... Donald A. Mackenzie explores the crucial mythologies and makes the bold assertion that their customs had not developed in isolation."

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Mythology

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1923

About the author

Donald Alexander Mackenzie was a Scottish journalist and folklorist and a prolific writer on religion, mythology and anthropology in the early 20th century.

Reviews

[Ernie Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although different many of these type books feed off each other. Every so often you get some new material but I believe that archaeology in North America is largely being ignored.

[Mali Belizec · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book wanting to know more about myths of American civilization. Instead of focusing on myths of those civilizations author compared them to european or asian one wanting to show the conection. Basically all book is just made of comparisons, which made the book less of a book about Maya, Inka and Aztecs and more of a book about China, Egypt and Babylon.