BDS Summary
This three-volume encyclopedia provides an authoritative and comprehensive overview of the culture of pre-conquest, and colonial Central America and Mexico.Long Description
Presenting the most up-to-date coverage on our knowledge of this society, The Oxford Encyclopedia of Mesoamerican Cultures is the first comprehensive and comparative reference source to chronicle Pre-Hispanic, Colonial, and modern Mesoamerica. Written for a wide audience, it is an invaluable reference for interested lay persons, students, teachers, and scholars in such fields as art, archaeology, religious studies, anthropology, Latin American culture, and the history of the region. Organized alphabetically, the articles range from 500-word biographies to 7,000-word entries on geography and history to the legacy of the arts, writings, architecture, and religious rituals. An extensive network of cross-references, blind entries, and annotated bibliographies guide the reader to related entries within the Encyclopedia and provide the groundwork for further research.Long Description
This unique reference source is the definitive guide to the civilizations of ancient Mexico and Central America. Exploring 700 years of history - before, during, and after the European conquest - the Oxford Encyclopedia of Mesoamerican Cultures is a comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible introduction to an extraordinary cultural legacy. With 500 original articles by leading experts from many fields, the Encyclopedia synthesizes a wealth of knowledge about the archeology, history, language, literature, religion, and social life of Aztec, Olmec, Maya and other cultures. The articles incorporate the recent explosion of new scholarship, from new archaeological finds to new translations of classic texts. The scope of the Encyclopedia is wide; from the earliest settlements to the tenacious legacy of pre-Conquest culture in the colonial and postcolonial life of Mesoamerica. Featuring a rich selection of maps, line drawings and photographs, and a carefully designed network of cross-references, blind entries, extensive bibliographies and an index, this unique resource serves students, and scholars, specialists and nonspecialists alike with unrivaled effectiveness.Review Quote
"Carrasco...and a stellar editorial board have produced this extensivethree-volume work, which employs 300 international authors...Each article issigned and the up-to-date annotated references testify to use of the latestscholarship...This superb work should grace collections in art, archaeology,religious studies, anthropology, Native American studies, and Latin Americanhistory."--Library JournalReview Quote
Excellent index and synoptic list of themesReview Quote
"Significant archaeological excavations, linguistic breakthroughs...andadvances in the study of the postcolonial and modern periods have generated agreat deal of new knowledge in recent years, and it is the purpose of thismultidisciplinary work to organize and interpret that knowledge. The editorialdecision to 'emphasize the long history of Mesoamerica' is apparent throughout.The Oxford Encyclopedia of Mesoamerican Cultures...is highly recommended for allacademic and large public libraries. Other libraries serving readers with astrong interest in these cultures may also want to consider it."--Bookliststarred reviewReview Quote
"This will be the definative reference work on the subject for theforeseeable future."--American Reference Book Annual 2002Short Description
Leading scholars from many countries collaborate in the most comprehensive reference source available on the history, culture, politics, society, religion and arts of Mexico and the other countries of Mesoamerica, from prehistory to the present.Review Quote
"Significant archaeological excavations, linguistic breakthroughs...and advances in the study of the postcolonial and modern periods have generated a great deal of new knowledge in recent years, and it is the purpose of this multidisciplinary work to organize and interpret that knowledge. The editorial decision 'to emphasize the long history of Mesoamerica' is apparent throughout. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Mesoamerican Cultures...is highly recommended for all academic and large public libraries. Other libraries serving readers with a strong interest in these cultures may also want to consider it."--Booklist starred review "Carrasco...and a stellar editorial board have produced this extensive three-volume work, which employs 300 international authors...Each article is signed and the up-to-date annotated references testify to use of the latest scholarship...This superb work should grace collections in art, archaeology, religious studies, anthropology, Native American studies, and Latin American history."--Library Journal