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Aztec Civilization: A History From Beginning to End
Aztec History The Aztec Empire did not recoil from the face of an impending doom, they struggled faithfully. Destined to emerge from their humble beginnings, it grew into a highly-complex devoted civilization refusing to live at the mercy of more neighboring powerful rulers. Their powerful pocheca combed the valley for luxury items while markets dotted their lands. Inside you will find... - Introduction - How the Aztecs Are Portrayed and How Their History Survives - Defining Moments and their Search to Expand and Save the World - Their Philosophy: its Impact on Social Life and How it Served the Kings - Conclusion Isolated from the Old World until the devastating Spanish conquest, the Aztec macehualtin (commoners) and nobles enhanced their positions while kings and relentless warriors dealt with the political realities of powerful dynasties and rivaling kingdoms. They developed a philosophy, an order and a society built on loyalty, stoic honor and sacrifice as they embraced the temporary nature of things. Investigate the era of the Fifth Sun and what defined the Aztecs and their relationship with the divine.
49 pages, Paperback
Published November 7, 2016
617 people are currently reading
818 people want to read
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Hourly History
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 5, 2020
My god this book was hard work. It’s a really short book but took me ages. It was hard to follow and to be honest pretty dull.
This book was so slow to get started. There wasn’t very much about the Aztecs at all for the first 15% or so, we had several pages which seemed to be a preemptive don’t judge them for being brutal or what you might see as blood thirsty, which in itself came across as a bit judgey and made me wonder - how bad are things going to get if you feel the need to write that caveat at the start? (but also it did make me think oh good this could be interesting! Bring on the human sacrifices!) It was disappointing though, yes human sacrifices were mentioned but only briefly and it was never really explained.
We then read about how Mexican people view their history and relate to it through Lucha Underground, all of which sounded like he is trying to be totally non racist but kinda racist at the same time - apparently “people who view the show who have latin roots feel like the show speaks to them on a cultural level”. Does it really? All of them?
All in all, a lot of preamble for such a short book! I got to 25% in and he was still saying “as we will explore further” and “as we will learn later”, stop saying that and get on with it, I wanted to cry.
The writer who I usually find to be pretty decent at this was so understanding of the religion mentioned herein and their beliefs and customs to the point where I found it slightly patronizing. He was also a little vague and unclear, it is not as well set out and explained as his other books which is a real shame.
I think part of the problem is not the authors fault as such but that this is such a big and complex subject (I learnt that much) that I don’t think it can be covered in a short book like this. Too much packed into a few pages so we don’t get any detail at all to help the people or the places or the events stick in your mind. There are also a LOT of references in this book from various sources, I think it would have been helpful to have them all at the end or in footnotes, so many within the text was a pain and took up a lot of the book itself.
Overall not a terrible effort but the author would have benefited from making this a longer book, I know that is not the point of these short history books but in this case the Aztecs can’t be done in 50 or so pages. I have a very vague understanding of the Aztecs now, admittedly more than when I started so that’s something but it was painful getting there.
This book was so slow to get started. There wasn’t very much about the Aztecs at all for the first 15% or so, we had several pages which seemed to be a preemptive don’t judge them for being brutal or what you might see as blood thirsty, which in itself came across as a bit judgey and made me wonder - how bad are things going to get if you feel the need to write that caveat at the start? (but also it did make me think oh good this could be interesting! Bring on the human sacrifices!) It was disappointing though, yes human sacrifices were mentioned but only briefly and it was never really explained.
We then read about how Mexican people view their history and relate to it through Lucha Underground, all of which sounded like he is trying to be totally non racist but kinda racist at the same time - apparently “people who view the show who have latin roots feel like the show speaks to them on a cultural level”. Does it really? All of them?
All in all, a lot of preamble for such a short book! I got to 25% in and he was still saying “as we will explore further” and “as we will learn later”, stop saying that and get on with it, I wanted to cry.
The writer who I usually find to be pretty decent at this was so understanding of the religion mentioned herein and their beliefs and customs to the point where I found it slightly patronizing. He was also a little vague and unclear, it is not as well set out and explained as his other books which is a real shame.
I think part of the problem is not the authors fault as such but that this is such a big and complex subject (I learnt that much) that I don’t think it can be covered in a short book like this. Too much packed into a few pages so we don’t get any detail at all to help the people or the places or the events stick in your mind. There are also a LOT of references in this book from various sources, I think it would have been helpful to have them all at the end or in footnotes, so many within the text was a pain and took up a lot of the book itself.
Overall not a terrible effort but the author would have benefited from making this a longer book, I know that is not the point of these short history books but in this case the Aztecs can’t be done in 50 or so pages. I have a very vague understanding of the Aztecs now, admittedly more than when I started so that’s something but it was painful getting there.
June 30, 2017
This book wasn't my all time favorite Hourly History book but I still enjoyed reading about the Aztec Empire. I've always been very interested in the Aztecs. I just love their complexity as an empire and all the mystery that still surrounds them.
Just like with the Mayan civilization a lot about the Aztecs has been lost to history, which is such a shame. Who knows what else we could've found out about them.
This was a good and solid read but I just felt there was something more missing. I can't quite put my finger on it but that's how I felt. Aside from all that it was still interesting and enjoyable to me.
Just like with the Mayan civilization a lot about the Aztecs has been lost to history, which is such a shame. Who knows what else we could've found out about them.
This was a good and solid read but I just felt there was something more missing. I can't quite put my finger on it but that's how I felt. Aside from all that it was still interesting and enjoyable to me.
July 21, 2025
2025 52 Book Challenge - 15) Includes Latin American History
This was such a difficult book to read. It assumed that you already have at least a passing knowledge of the area and the Aztec history, so it launches names and locations at you and just expects you to know what the author is talking about.
Honestly, I could have learnt more information in an easier format on Wikipedia.
This was such a difficult book to read. It assumed that you already have at least a passing knowledge of the area and the Aztec history, so it launches names and locations at you and just expects you to know what the author is talking about.
Honestly, I could have learnt more information in an easier format on Wikipedia.
November 25, 2024
Trying to give a kind of academic style in such a small book, is practically impossible. The result is a book full of names, references and quotes that does not illuminate us about the history of this people but complicates everything. Very disappointed.
September 26, 2020
2 stars. I was disappointed in this book. It was well-written—just a few awkward/confusing sentences—and it seemed well researched. But it taught me next to nothing about the Aztecs. All it did was talk about how their religion impacted their lives. Three chapters, all about that. Barely anything about their daily lives, the conquest, anything. Really, I feel like it wasn’t worth the time & effort to read. I’m glad I got it for free.
A Favourite Quote: “With so many demands on our time, often we forget how precious it is until it's almost gone.”
A Favourite Quote: “With so many demands on our time, often we forget how precious it is until it's almost gone.”
February 9, 2020
Interesting but only a very brief look at the Aztecs.
May 21, 2017
In this day and age, when distances and international borders have become shorter and more easily crossed, ancestral misconceptions are common. They have taken on a nationalistic form rather than a cultural structure. Cultural anthropology does much to understand the separation of the roots from the political and nationalistic mantles. To put Americans collectively in a group distracts from the diversity as a whole. The Aztecs were comprised of many individual segments or tribes, with differing traditions and beliefs. Among the social groups were the Olmec, Mayan, Toltec, Aztec, and various other indigenous people. These groups could be subdivided into tribes such as the Chalcas, Alcolhuas, Tepanecs, Tlahuicas, Tlascaltecs, and Xochimilcas.
Ethnoastronomy has provided much of the knowledge we now have of the Aztec peoples, prior to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. As one delves into the past of these fascinating peoples, one is struck with the magnitude of the story. All of the works appearing in this series have an inherent flaw as the allotted space often fails to do the subject true justice. The story of the Aztecs, perhaps more than any other, is too long and complicated to be relayed justly. This book provides a mere essence of a civilization full of wonder, mystique, and sorrow. It can only be seen and used as a springboard to bigger and far better publications that can provide a better attempt at bringing this ancient civilization out of the shadows and into the light.
Ethnoastronomy has provided much of the knowledge we now have of the Aztec peoples, prior to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. As one delves into the past of these fascinating peoples, one is struck with the magnitude of the story. All of the works appearing in this series have an inherent flaw as the allotted space often fails to do the subject true justice. The story of the Aztecs, perhaps more than any other, is too long and complicated to be relayed justly. This book provides a mere essence of a civilization full of wonder, mystique, and sorrow. It can only be seen and used as a springboard to bigger and far better publications that can provide a better attempt at bringing this ancient civilization out of the shadows and into the light.
June 15, 2017
In this day and age, when distances and international borders have become shorter and more easily crossed, ancestral misconceptions are common. They have taken on a nationalistic form rather than a cultural structure. Cultural anthropology does much to understand the separation of the roots from the political and nationalistic mantles. To put Americans collectively in a group distracts from the diversity as a whole. The Aztecs were comprised of many individual segments or tribes, with differing traditions and beliefs. Among the social groups were the Olmec, Mayan, Toltec, Aztec, and various other indigenous people. These groups could be subdivided into tribes such as the Chalcas, Alcolhuas, Tepanecs, Tlahuicas, Tlascaltecs, and Xochimilcas.
Ethnoastronomy has provided much of the knowledge we now have of the Aztec peoples, prior to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. As one delves into the past of these fascinating peoples, one is struck with the magnitude of the story. All of the works appearing in this series have an inherent flaw as the allotted space often fails to do the subject true justice. The story of the Aztecs, perhaps more than any other, is too long and complicated to be relayed justly. This book provides a mere essence of a civilization full of wonder, mystique, and sorrow. It can only be seen and used as a springboard to bigger and far better publications that can provide a better attempt at bringing this ancient civilization out of the shadows and into the light.
Ethnoastronomy has provided much of the knowledge we now have of the Aztec peoples, prior to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. As one delves into the past of these fascinating peoples, one is struck with the magnitude of the story. All of the works appearing in this series have an inherent flaw as the allotted space often fails to do the subject true justice. The story of the Aztecs, perhaps more than any other, is too long and complicated to be relayed justly. This book provides a mere essence of a civilization full of wonder, mystique, and sorrow. It can only be seen and used as a springboard to bigger and far better publications that can provide a better attempt at bringing this ancient civilization out of the shadows and into the light.
December 30, 2022
Quite Informative.
Some points that were new to me
(1) The Incas were massive fans of human sacrifice, even more than the Mayans. There is speculation that they once sacrificed 80,000 people in a single ceremony! It also seems in general they were pretty violent and war like.
(2) The Aztecs were a pretty new empire when they were conquered. It seems in that area empires were constantly rising and falling. It's interesting to think what would have happened if Europeans had never come, how things would have evolved.
(3) It's weird that so many societies collapsed and we don't really know why that happened. People just walked out of cities back to their farms. Maybe it was a religious thing.
(4) Interesting to learn that the Eagle with a snake on the Mexico flag comes from an ancient story.
(5) Surprised to learn that Mexico City was the site of the Aztec capital. I probably should have know n that, it makes me think of it differently.
My overall impression is that it's fascinating how much we still don't know about what happened in the pre-columbian period and also I wonder how Mexicans feel about all this stuff.
Some points that were new to me
(1) The Incas were massive fans of human sacrifice, even more than the Mayans. There is speculation that they once sacrificed 80,000 people in a single ceremony! It also seems in general they were pretty violent and war like.
(2) The Aztecs were a pretty new empire when they were conquered. It seems in that area empires were constantly rising and falling. It's interesting to think what would have happened if Europeans had never come, how things would have evolved.
(3) It's weird that so many societies collapsed and we don't really know why that happened. People just walked out of cities back to their farms. Maybe it was a religious thing.
(4) Interesting to learn that the Eagle with a snake on the Mexico flag comes from an ancient story.
(5) Surprised to learn that Mexico City was the site of the Aztec capital. I probably should have know n that, it makes me think of it differently.
My overall impression is that it's fascinating how much we still don't know about what happened in the pre-columbian period and also I wonder how Mexicans feel about all this stuff.
July 18, 2024
Is This An Overview?
Through their belief system, Aztecs valued life as they understood life to be transient. That nature was cyclical, that nature could give life and take life away. Sacrificing to their deities was part of their code for living, for the deities sacrificed, and the people needed to continue the practice. Status affected what was to be sacrificed, but none could escape the inevitable catastrophes. Science and religion were intertwined, and reinforced each other. They had techniques for hydraulic engineering, which were used to reclaim swamp territory. The political system was based on an alliance of clans, a decentralized network. Geopolitics caused tension between different groups, with alliances forming to overcome tyranny of another. Trade existed along with a tribute system. An Aztec market was part of the culture, which had various guilds that held enough power and authority to enforce behavior.
Caveats?
This is an introductory book. To understand more about the Aztecs would require more research. This book provides various sources for learning about the complexity of Aztec society.
Through their belief system, Aztecs valued life as they understood life to be transient. That nature was cyclical, that nature could give life and take life away. Sacrificing to their deities was part of their code for living, for the deities sacrificed, and the people needed to continue the practice. Status affected what was to be sacrificed, but none could escape the inevitable catastrophes. Science and religion were intertwined, and reinforced each other. They had techniques for hydraulic engineering, which were used to reclaim swamp territory. The political system was based on an alliance of clans, a decentralized network. Geopolitics caused tension between different groups, with alliances forming to overcome tyranny of another. Trade existed along with a tribute system. An Aztec market was part of the culture, which had various guilds that held enough power and authority to enforce behavior.
Caveats?
This is an introductory book. To understand more about the Aztecs would require more research. This book provides various sources for learning about the complexity of Aztec society.
February 21, 2019
The book that I read was actually titled "Aztec Civilization: A History From Beginning to End," but from the cover, it looks as though it was the same book.
The author presented the information in a way that held my interest for most of the book. However, it seems as though the vast majority of the book was spent on analysis and opinions of the Aztec philosophy on life and the concepts of their culture. I found myself getting just a bit bored with that part of it by the end of the book.
As I said, the author's writing was good, but I expected to read a little more about their temples, other architectural accomplishments and excavated items that came from their guilds. I realize that the Spanish conquistadors caused a lot of the Aztecs' manuscripts to be destroyed and also a change to their culture, but I still expected to read a little bit more about the conquering and the changes that came about because of it. All of these things were barely touched upon.
The author presented the information in a way that held my interest for most of the book. However, it seems as though the vast majority of the book was spent on analysis and opinions of the Aztec philosophy on life and the concepts of their culture. I found myself getting just a bit bored with that part of it by the end of the book.
As I said, the author's writing was good, but I expected to read a little more about their temples, other architectural accomplishments and excavated items that came from their guilds. I realize that the Spanish conquistadors caused a lot of the Aztecs' manuscripts to be destroyed and also a change to their culture, but I still expected to read a little bit more about the conquering and the changes that came about because of it. All of these things were barely touched upon.
September 8, 2021
Very messy. The work is very incoherent and to me lacks structure as well as important explanations. New names of individuals, deities and other entities are introduced without much explanation, leading to a lot of confusion. I think if I hadn't been reading this on my e-reader where I could easily (and constantly) google terms that weren't properly explained, I wouldn't have learned a lot from this book.
It gives some interesting insights here and there but covers no topic in particular depth.
All in all not Avery satisfying reading experience.
It gives some interesting insights here and there but covers no topic in particular depth.
All in all not Avery satisfying reading experience.
August 5, 2019
I purchased and read many other books from Hourly History, and although I'm well conscious they're meant to be quick read on various historical topics, I'm afraid to say this one left me a bit disappointed.
There's some content, mostly references to other publications, but all in all it feels a bit disjointed and doesn't live up to the promise of going in dept into the sacrifice-culture. Too bad.
There's some content, mostly references to other publications, but all in all it feels a bit disjointed and doesn't live up to the promise of going in dept into the sacrifice-culture. Too bad.
August 22, 2020
This is the second Hourly History book I’ve read, and two things I very much appreciate about them are their efforts to tie history in with the presence, and the way it feels as if the author(s) are talking to me.
Also, the easy language & concise explanations of things—as well as a clean layout of topics to research further.
I would have appreciated pronunciation guides, but otherwise!! This was a lovely introduction to Aztec culture.
Also, the easy language & concise explanations of things—as well as a clean layout of topics to research further.
I would have appreciated pronunciation guides, but otherwise!! This was a lovely introduction to Aztec culture.
May 16, 2017
Aztec life
I really enjoyed this book. Very informative and educational. I learned a few new things about Aztec life, physically and mentally. Like their sciences and religion merging into a day by day living. Constant worry about their lives in this fifth sun and thereafter. I would recommend this read for any one.
I really enjoyed this book. Very informative and educational. I learned a few new things about Aztec life, physically and mentally. Like their sciences and religion merging into a day by day living. Constant worry about their lives in this fifth sun and thereafter. I would recommend this read for any one.
March 9, 2018
Wow
Reading this was a bit difficult. The names were horrifying to pronounce and the author repeated them often. While I was impressed by all the research they had done, citing all the books and examples to back up their point was distracting. I do recommend it, but with caution.
Reading this was a bit difficult. The names were horrifying to pronounce and the author repeated them often. While I was impressed by all the research they had done, citing all the books and examples to back up their point was distracting. I do recommend it, but with caution.
March 26, 2018
A theosorus of ancient middle American history
Really gives nothing of interest to the history of the Aztecs, continually making reference to other publications. Where's the history in that?
And so short. I feel cheated in having actually purchased this "pamphlet" - I'd not call it a book.
Really gives nothing of interest to the history of the Aztecs, continually making reference to other publications. Where's the history in that?
And so short. I feel cheated in having actually purchased this "pamphlet" - I'd not call it a book.
August 1, 2020
Quick education
It was an enjoyable and brief read in the culture and history of the Aztecs. The author offers the sources for the information given, if one ever wants to discover more. I would recommend it for anyone that is curious about the Aztecs and their history, but that would want it in a short read.
It was an enjoyable and brief read in the culture and history of the Aztecs. The author offers the sources for the information given, if one ever wants to discover more. I would recommend it for anyone that is curious about the Aztecs and their history, but that would want it in a short read.
November 15, 2021
Clearly outlined and well written
Clearly laid out and well written text with in depth sources and explanation of the structures of Aztec society and the various leaders and power structures within. I found this a compelling read that shed light on a topic much overshadowed by colonial records. Refreshing. Thanks for your work in this area. Would recommend.
Clearly laid out and well written text with in depth sources and explanation of the structures of Aztec society and the various leaders and power structures within. I found this a compelling read that shed light on a topic much overshadowed by colonial records. Refreshing. Thanks for your work in this area. Would recommend.
November 27, 2021
Top Level History
I find the Hourly History series a better set for biographies than histories - and this is no exception. The coverage of the Aztecs is cursory, and unlike many of the books in the series it also feels a bit disorganized in its presentation. A quick and easy read for introduction, but not as good as other Hourly History reads.
I find the Hourly History series a better set for biographies than histories - and this is no exception. The coverage of the Aztecs is cursory, and unlike many of the books in the series it also feels a bit disorganized in its presentation. A quick and easy read for introduction, but not as good as other Hourly History reads.
April 25, 2023
I try to be realistic about these books. They’re not novels. They’re one step above Wikipedia pages. This one was particularly terrible. This author was lost in his own research you could barely interpret what he was saying. The person was more interested in flaunting their research than sharing a story. Skip this one. It wasn’t worth the $0 I paid for it.
June 30, 2025
Great Introduction to the Aztecs
This is a great Introduction to the Aztecs and their way of living. I enjoyed reading about their leadership methods, rituals and beliefs, and forms of government and their impact on other areas of the region they controlled.
A great way to create a baseline of knowledge.
This is a great Introduction to the Aztecs and their way of living. I enjoyed reading about their leadership methods, rituals and beliefs, and forms of government and their impact on other areas of the region they controlled.
A great way to create a baseline of knowledge.
August 4, 2025
House of cards
The Aztec empire reminds me of the Roman Empire that needed conquests for slaves to free Roman citizens to serve in the military.
It has been said that the Aztec civilization was cruel and barbarous because of the human sacrifices but I will say that any civilization based on warfare is cruel and barbarous.
The Aztec empire reminds me of the Roman Empire that needed conquests for slaves to free Roman citizens to serve in the military.
It has been said that the Aztec civilization was cruel and barbarous because of the human sacrifices but I will say that any civilization based on warfare is cruel and barbarous.
August 22, 2017
Nice brief look at the aztecs.
A nice short but still rich look at the aztecs. Its a break-neck tour of their timeline, but gives you plenty of other sources throughout to look up if you want to look in more detail.
A nice short but still rich look at the aztecs. Its a break-neck tour of their timeline, but gives you plenty of other sources throughout to look up if you want to look in more detail.
May 27, 2018
A guide to where to look
A tremendous amount of research material is referenced. I am continually shocked at how the history of this nation was disregarded by the Spanish. (Not covered in this book much).
A tremendous amount of research material is referenced. I am continually shocked at how the history of this nation was disregarded by the Spanish. (Not covered in this book much).
Read
September 13, 2018Good precis of the empire neither from conquistadors' nor Toltec's perspective. It did not dive too much into detail especially during the last period of the empire e.g. Cortes' alliance with Tlaxcala, La Noche Triste, The Cholula massacre etc. Nice "pamphlet" to kill 2 hours.
July 12, 2020
Henry freemans most important work?.
I got this as a freebie. A large amount of information for only fifty pages. I have read several books on Aztec and Mayan culture. It is difficult to understand their complexities?
I got this as a freebie. A large amount of information for only fifty pages. I have read several books on Aztec and Mayan culture. It is difficult to understand their complexities?
December 31, 2020
Could have done without all of the waxing poetic about time and the meaning of life. I enjoyed the two main chapters that actually discussed the Aztec civilization, though I thought the organization could have been better- lots of "we will discuss this later" in a 30ish page book.
January 27, 2021
Really creepy. I didn't get very far in this book, as it started with pages of very waffly excuses and minimisations for the Aztecs' brutal human sacrifices and other atrocities. I suppose if you love moral relativism, or human sacrifice, it'd be the book for you.
June 3, 2021
Excellent book on a misguided empire
Hard to believe that they killed so many people for sacrificing rituals. I was intrigued by how they were hated by the people they conquered. To the point the Spanish had little resistance
Hard to believe that they killed so many people for sacrificing rituals. I was intrigued by how they were hated by the people they conquered. To the point the Spanish had little resistance
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews