Códice Maya de México: Understanding the Oldest Surviving Book of the Americas

Códice Maya de México: Understanding the Oldest Surviving Book of the Americas, edited by Andrew D Turner, is a fascinating look at both the text and the early history.

While I admittedly come to books like this largely for the photographs and just enough information to understand them, I love

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when a book gives more space than expected to text, especially when the text is interesting. This is one of those books. The essays offer a more rounded view of the physical processes and intellectual foundations that went into the creation of this amazing work. I am so glad the Getty Museum and Research Institute gave more than just a cursory explanation of the Códice, it truly helped me to better appreciate what I was looking at.

If you're mostly interested in the images, you won't be disappointed. You can "read" the text and skip the essays that explain the history and the authentication processes. But I am guessing you'll be compelled to go back and read them anyway, it makes the "reading" that much more enjoyable.

Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in ancient history, particularly of the Americas. Those with an interest in early science as well as contemporary dating procedures will find a lot to enjoy.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

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