Product Description
This essential guide to the art and architecture of ancient Mesoamerica succinctly and evocatively summarizes the artistic achievements of the high pre-Columbian civilizations—Olmec, Maya, Teotihuacan, Tolec, Aztec—as well as those of their less well-known contemporaries. The pyramids and palaces, jades and brightly colored paintings emerge from these pages as vividly as when they first astonished Cortés's men in 1519. There was a surprising unity in Mesoamerican culture from Mexico to Honduras and from 1500 BC to the Spanish Conquest. Among many features shared were a 260-day ritual calendar and a preoccupation with gods representing natural forces. Current research also emphasizes the great importance of rites of kingship, including warfare and blood sacrifice. In this third edition, Mary Miller opens up new windows on the ancient past with fresh readings of works of art, all the while offering careful archaeological interpretations. Recent hieroglyphic decipherments provide insights into ancient art, spelling out long-distance connections between the Maya and their neighbors. Updated throughout, with special attention to evidence for dating, the new Art of Mesoamerica is the ideal companion for students and travelers. 193 illustrations, 44 in color.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 5 reviews)

Waste of time

The content of this book is so dry I'm amazed it didn't light up in my hands. Unless you already have an intimate knowledge of the subject this book does little to educate you. It presents few facts, only one "likely" scenario after another. In fact I count 46 "likely" scenarios in the first three chapters alone. I am "likely" to burn this book after the class that requires it is over. If you are taking a class that requires this book, drop it. Unless you are a pretentious art history major that would love to debate the finer points of the late formative style of Maya artistry, stay away from this book.
October 07, 2008

Successfull challenge

This book has deeply increased my motivation for learning more of the complex precolombian culture, and to visit again the Museo Nacional Antropologica, Mexico. I would recommend to read first David Carrasco " Religions of Mesoamerica ".
February 25, 2006

This is very Interesting

Excelent book, great author and great information.
Olmecs,Maya and Aztecs are studing by Mary Eller.

February 17, 2006

Worthwhile but dense

A solid, useful one-volume survey of Mesoamerican art. Miller is a noted expert in the field, and she does a commendable job of presenting a large amount of information in a short space without resorting to superficiality. The text is clear and the photographs are both copious and well-chosen, with numerous color plates adding to the enjoyment.

Almost of necessity, however, the writing style tends to be fairly dense. Those looking for a readable "History of Mesoamerica" should probably go elsewhere. Nonetheless, most readers will find this book rewarding -- after which they will want to turn to more specific and detailed volumes by Linda Schele and Michael Coe, among others.
September 05, 2000

The Art of Mesoamerica..LOVED IT

I purchased "The Art of Mesoamerica" by Mary Ellen Miller after delving into Gary Jenning's "Aztec", which had me reading both books simultaneously. It was quite a unique reading experience I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend! This book is wonderfully written and illustrated and is suitable for the serious student as well as the simply curious. It takes the reader through centuries of the evolvement of Precolumbian art (the Olmec, Aztec and Maya civilizations) in a condensed and absorbing manner. I was extremely intrigued by the art of the Maya civilization having been to Cancun several times and visiting Chichen Itza. Although I had read up on the Chichen Itza ruins and their excavation prior to my tour, I certainly would have enjoyed the experience even more if I had read this book on the flight! So much of the art (architecture, sculptures, statues, vessels, urns, etc.)becomes much more understandable after one has some knowledge of the various gods worshipped and the rituals performed. The explanations of the 260-and 365-day calendrical systems was fascinating. The book is filled with numerous photos and illustrations which add to the total enjoyment of reading it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with any interest in this area, but especially to those with a casual interest who don't want to spend a fortune on a book that ends up sitting on a shelf. Be assured this book will be accompanying me on my next trip to Mexico! My congratulations to Mary Ellen Miller for the immense amount of information she has condensed into such an outstanding and thoroughly enjoyable book.
May 13, 2000

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