In the eleventh century the Aztecs arrived in Mexico from the north. Even today their speech is much like that spoken by the Indians of Oregon and Montana. In less than a hundred years, rising on the ruins of the older Mexican cultures, they developed an extraordinary indigenous civilization. Here is the strange story of that rise, and of the even swifter fall under the impact of Cortes and his followers. Dr Vaillant vividly recreates the Aztec way of life. In one fascinating chapter he takes his readers to the great Aztec city, Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City, in the days of the height of the Aztec power, and wanders with him through the town. We learn not only the history of the Aztecs and how their society was organized, but how the children went to school, modes of dress and interesteing aspects of an ancient daily life.The result is an outstanding book, at once authoritative and interesting, authentic and popular.
