For readers who wish to trace the evolution of scripts in the West from antiquity to the early modern period; and who want to read the work of their scribes; this volume provides a wide-ranging collection of materials supported by 55 full-page illustrations from manuscripts. Brown provides a synopsis of each of the major phases of development; a bibliography at the beginning of each section; and comments on regional and chronological diffusion where appropriate. Each plate is accompanied by a facing page of commentary giving a brief description of the manuscript and its script; followed by a transcription of the text.
#3057966 in Books 2002-10-29Original language:SpanishPDF # 1 9.00 x .65 x 6.00l; .90 #File Name: 0801871018312 pages
Review
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Lots of info; but it's a bit drollBy MysticJaguarThere is alot of information here regarding the figure of Quetzacoatl. But I noticed about a quarter of the way through this book that is was boring. The authors writing style is not up to the task to communicate adequately the mythos around such an important personage.14 of 14 people found the following review helpful. A new vision on mythBy A CustomerI found just fascinating the tracing of the roots of a classical myth into so many different cultures and traditions along the Mesoamerican cultures: from Teotihuacan and Tula to the historic Aztec period and from one part of Central America to another; to explain how a story becomes a myth. There is of course a similarity on the information because the sources have so many coincidental origins. Quetzalcoatl. It is such a familiar name; the Feathered Serpent of Ancient Mexico. But who is this man; myth; god who was supposed to return from the East to reclaim his power; and was mistook for Cortés. A deep study of the origins of a myth that surrounded a God of such importance and power that nearly no aspect of everyday life seemed to go untouched by him. An historical figure; and a legend; that would signal the end of mortal kingship. A great essay that traces every possible source through comparative literature to find that Quetzalcoatl is related to many names and incarnations; throughout the Mesoamerican pantheons.11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Myth of QuetzalcoatlBy AtheenI found the text occasionally tedious and a little repetative. The progress of the tradition of Quetzalcoatl from its ancient roots at Teotihuacan and Tula to the historic Aztec period and from one part of Central America to another was very interesting; but the information was often presented in a repetative way. It was almost as though the work had started originally as a series of journal articles or research papers presented at conferences on Mesoamerican mythology all woven together to produce a book length product. The chapter on comparative literature and the evolution of creation myths in different cultures world wide was certainly interesting; but not necessarily original or even germaine to the title subject.
