Handbook of Mesoamerican Mythology (World Mythology)

Pay with

About Handbook Of Mesoamerican Mythology

Product Description Critically acclaimed introduction of broad scope to the myths of Mesoamerica from ancient times to the present. Bibliography of print and nonprint sources for further research Introduction placing mythology in social and historical context From Library Journal After a somewhat disconcerting preface in which mother-and-son authors Read (comparative religion, DePaul Univ.) and Gonzalez refer to each other and themselves in both the first and third persons, the two proceed to deliver an impressive and scholarly but still student-friendly work on the mythology of Mexico and Central America. They begin with an 78-page introduction defining the nature of the myth, the Mesoamericans as a people, and the cultural worldview underlying their myths. The next section deals with historical and mythological time lines, leading to a chapter that details deities, themes, and concepts. A time period and cultural group is defined for each entry, which is followed by suggested readings and See Also references where appropriate. The final sections include an annotated biography and an extensive reference list as well as a glossary. Pronunciation guides are given throughout. A user-friendly reference on a complex subject, the Handbook is recommended for all secondary, public, and academic libraries. Katherine Kaigler-Koenig, Ellis Sch., Pittsburgh, PA. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Booklist At the heart of this handbook on the mythologies of the peoples of Mexico and Central America lies its 140-page dictionary of deities, themes, and concepts. Each of the substantial entries in this section identifies the myth's time period and the cultural group in which it originated. The expository essays relate the tales associated with each character, explain how the myth has morphed over the centuries, cite archaeological and artistic evidence, and explain the myth's significance. The essays conclude with see also references to related entries and brief article-specific bibliographies. Although analytical and exploratory, the essays also convey the richness and imaginativeness of Mesoamerican myth, in which celestial bodies, wild and domestic animals, and divine personages are imbued with mystical meaning. They also discuss the ways in which indigenous tales and Christian lore affected one another, sometimes producing a synergistic hybrid. A helpful glossary defines significant terms, and more than 70 pictures of artworks, temples, and archaeological sites illustrate significant places and personages. An extensive introduction lays out the cultural history of Mesoamerica from earliest to recent times, key scholarly issues, and themes. The section that follows presents two major mythic time lines (K'iche' Maya and Nahua) and examines the meaning of time in the cultures of calendar-making peoples. Two concluding sections of the book list additional information sources. The first of these annotates selected bibliographic and Web sources; the second and larger simply lists print resources, most in English but some in Spanish. Because the myths of Mesoamerica receive only cursory treatment in omnibus mythology sources such as Marjorie Leach's Guide to the Gods (ABC-CLIO, 1992), with its succinct identifications, and the New Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology (Prometheus, 1968), with only five pages devoted to the Mesoamerican region, this handbook, the product of an uncommon mother-and-son scholarly collaboration, will enrich reference collections in public and academic libraries. REVWRCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Review "Because the myths of Mesoamerica receive only cursory treatment in omnibus mythology sources . . . this handbook, the product of an uncommon mother-and-son scholarly collaboration, will enrich reference collections in public and academic libraries." ― Booklist "A user-friendly reference on a complex subject, the Handbook is recommended for all