Illustrations and text describe how the Mixtecs create painted manuscripts, or codices, that reflect their way of life and document their history, science, land tenure, tribute, and sacred rituals. A young Aztec girl tells her little brother how their parents create beautiful painted manuscripts, or codices. She explains to him how paper is made from local plants and how the long paper is folded into a book. Her parents and others paint the codices...

In this rich and surprising book, Frances F. Berdan casts fresh light on the enigmatic ancient Aztecs. She casts her net wide, covering topics as diverse as ethnicity, empire-building, palace life, etiquette, origin myths and human sacrifice. While often described as 'stone age', the Aztecs' achievements were remarkable. They constructed lofty temples and produced fine arts in precious stones, gold and shimmering feathers. They crafted beautiful poetry...

En 1429 el Principe Nezahualcóyotl, Izcóatl, y una decena de pueblos más se unen pata derrocar a Maxtla , el tirano usurpador que gobierna todo el valle del Anáhuac. Tras la caída de Azcapotzalco, las tropas aliadas regresan a sus ciudades de origen, en donde esperan a que Nezahualcóyotl sea reconocido y jurado com huei chichimécatl tecutli (gran gobernante chichimeca), pero eso jamás ocurre. Mientras Chalco y Huexotla se sublevan e inician...