Thanks for the refresher. I'm about to start the 2nd book. I read Aztec while doing night watches on my navy ship, lol. Aztec is the "gateway" novel for non-fiction guys... and not only that. I just learned the guy was born 3 hours away from where I was born/live😅😅😅. Cheers! And I'm a memoirist about to launch my 2 books. So I know book two will be crazy, it's deeply intriguing so far. But man... Great review, I had forgotten much about it. Gotta buy another book 1 copy. Okay, I think I'm done, lol.
I went to the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City a few weeks ago --- so many of the artefacts I saw there turn up in one way or another in Aztec, Jennings certainly did his research. I think you're right, some shocking scenes and events --- but not unrealistic.
I was there back in October and it completely blew my mind. I spent 2 days in that museum and I still feel like I only scratched the surface of what they had in their collection. This was my first time in Mexico and my first time seeing ancient ruins that old, and it was insane how many of them there were, basically everywhere and the incomprehensibly large amount of history they had pretty much everywhere was incredible. It was the best trip ever, and I can't wait to go back to Mexico and see more. I was lucky enough to see the ruins of the Uey Tlatoani in the capital, as well as Chitchen Itza and Teotihuacan and got to see the eclipse from the observatory of Edzna. I hope I can go back some day.
You echo so exactly how I feel about this book!!! It had the same effect on me. With my first trip to visit Mexico City, I knew EXACTLY where I was as we moved around the city. As a historian, I was literally "enraptured" with the details presented in this story. (Do you remember him describing the feathered flags flying above the merchants' houses? As they flapped in the wind, they made no sound!!!!!) I tried The Journeyer and Raptor but just wasn't as entralled by them. The author, Gary Jennings, died in 1999 so some of the books were not totally written by him, but 'co-authored'. Any time I tell stories of my trips to Mexico City, I speak about this book!!! Thanks for your review....and sharing your enthusiasm for my favorite book as well!
Thank you for taking the time to watch! His description of those feathered flags just of levitating in the air is literally engraved in my mind. I can picture them so vividly. As far as I know only a few of the Aztec sequels were written by others, with the first two Aztec books and the rest of his books written exclusively by Jennings himself. I have been wanting to read the first sequel to Aztec (Aztec Autumn) which was written by Jennings but I haven’t gotten around to it. Have you read any of the Aztec sequels? I am on a Jennings tear right now lol; I read his earlier work Terrible Teague bunch which is short but I loved it. Currently reading Spangle, which is good and definitely worth the read, but yea it doesn’t quite capture that same “magic” that Aztec did. I plan on reading The journeyor and raptor as soon as I’m done with spangle
Dude, you need to check out RAPTOR also by Gary Jennings! I bought a copy about 25 years ago, haven't been able to find another copy. I thought it interesting that everything you said about AZTEC is also true about RAPTOR. It takes place about 1000 years ago and takes you from Eastern Europe to all these crazy places. If you find it, I'd love to hear what you think. And what's most interesting is the person whose point of view it's from! You are going to love this one!🎉
I actually have a copy of Raptor! I bought basically Gary Jennings entire catalog last year while reading Aztec because I was so enthralled by Jennings’ writing. I am reading his book Spangle right now (which is awesome) and have been trying to decide whether to read the Journeyor or Raptor next. You just convinced me to pick Raptor. Will for sure do a book review when I’m done!
Dude! Aztec Blood is insane too. Aztec Rage is incredible. Aztec Fire is great. The 2012 Codex is garbage. The Journeyer is epic and crazy. Spangle is a story you feel could be true. The main theme in all of the stories is that you become attached to the main characters, in such a way, that you feel their victories and their defeats. Gary Jennings is the best. RIP I’m looking forward to more reviews.
I’m gonna have to check out the sequels. I read some bad reviews that made it seem like they were trash but you’re the second person that told me they are good. I’m reading Spangle right now and it’s unbelievably captivating. Gonna be upset when I get through all of his books. I read one of his lesser known books The terrible Teague bunch a couple months ago and it is absolute fire. It’s short but has the same classic Jennings feel. I appreciate your support! I’m about 1/4 through Spangle right now and will definitely be doing a review on that one when I’m done
@@DOCbrothers I’ve read the complete Aztec series and Blood, Fire and Rage are amazing. I can’t quite remember Autumn. I’ll get back to you. I will say this confidently, Blood and Fire have protagonists equally captivating as Mixtli. Not as eclectic but who is?!?!?
The codex book was only started by jennings. He died before really getting into it. I think his son or book agent finished it so it would end the Aztec series. They did a horrible job on it.
Glad to see this video. Aztec is an amazing and awe-inspiring book. So entertaining and witty. Also incredibly tragic. Descriptive enough and still weeded with so much story. This book was an emotional one for me to finish. It was definitely long. The characters make it worthwhile though with a great plot. Bottom line is that it gives us a first hand glimpse into the spanish conquests as it met with an amazing civilization and ultimately destroyed it. That in and of itself is epic. However, there is so much that garry jenkins has his character do. This book is like james Cameron titanic but for books. On a side note. One thing that really threw me off was Mixtlis relationship with Bea. It was so obvious she loved him and he treated her so horribly for his own insecurities. This behavior coming from a character who has been with so many women made little sense to me and was sad to see bea get hurt repeatedly by Mixtli. At the end the character realizes that she really loved him, but i thought it was just too late. I think Miztli and Bea, after everything they went through, deserved a happy ending.
Because he thought she was trying to replace her sister, his wife. But he admits as such, that it was too late. Hopefully he was able to take care of her until she passed before he was executed.
@@gtrance3567 I would have to double check...but I believe she and mixtli did have their moment at the very end where they came to a mutual understanding. It was like he finally understood that she loved him. But it was definitely towards the end of their lives
I agree I love that book!!
I just started reading this book.
Enjoy the ride!
Love it?
Thanks for the refresher. I'm about to start the 2nd book. I read Aztec while doing night watches on my navy ship, lol.
Aztec is the "gateway" novel for non-fiction guys... and not only that. I just learned the guy was born 3 hours away from where I was born/live😅😅😅. Cheers! And I'm a memoirist about to launch my 2 books. So I know book two will be crazy, it's deeply intriguing so far.
But man... Great review, I had forgotten much about it. Gotta buy another book 1 copy. Okay, I think I'm done, lol.
I went to the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City a few weeks ago --- so many of the artefacts I saw there turn up in one way or another in Aztec, Jennings certainly did his research. I think you're right, some shocking scenes and events --- but not unrealistic.
I was there back in October and it completely blew my mind. I spent 2 days in that museum and I still feel like I only scratched the surface of what they had in their collection. This was my first time in Mexico and my first time seeing ancient ruins that old, and it was insane how many of them there were, basically everywhere and the incomprehensibly large amount of history they had pretty much everywhere was incredible. It was the best trip ever, and I can't wait to go back to Mexico and see more. I was lucky enough to see the ruins of the Uey Tlatoani in the capital, as well as Chitchen Itza and Teotihuacan and got to see the eclipse from the observatory of Edzna. I hope I can go back some day.
Best book I ever read as well. Incredible! Fantastic!
You echo so exactly how I feel about this book!!! It had the same effect on me. With my first trip to visit Mexico City, I knew EXACTLY where I was as we moved around the city. As a historian, I was literally "enraptured" with the details presented in this story. (Do you remember him describing the feathered flags flying above the merchants' houses? As they flapped in the wind, they made no sound!!!!!)
I tried The Journeyer and Raptor but just wasn't as entralled by them. The author, Gary Jennings, died in 1999 so some of the books were not totally written by him, but 'co-authored'.
Any time I tell stories of my trips to Mexico City, I speak about this book!!!
Thanks for your review....and sharing your enthusiasm for my favorite book as well!
Thank you for taking the time to watch! His description of those feathered flags just of levitating in the air is literally engraved in my mind. I can picture them so vividly.
As far as I know only a few of the Aztec sequels were written by others, with the first two Aztec books and the rest of his books written exclusively by Jennings himself.
I have been wanting to read the first sequel to Aztec (Aztec Autumn) which was written by Jennings but I haven’t gotten around to it. Have you read any of the Aztec sequels?
I am on a Jennings tear right now lol; I read his earlier work Terrible Teague bunch which is short but I loved it. Currently reading Spangle, which is good and definitely worth the read, but yea it doesn’t quite capture that same “magic” that Aztec did. I plan on reading The journeyor and raptor as soon as I’m done with spangle
Dude, you need to check out RAPTOR also by Gary Jennings! I bought a copy about 25 years ago, haven't been able to find another copy. I thought it interesting that everything you said about AZTEC is also true about RAPTOR. It takes place about 1000 years ago and takes you from Eastern Europe to all these crazy places. If you find it, I'd love to hear what you think. And what's most interesting is the person whose point of view it's from! You are going to love this one!🎉
I actually have a copy of Raptor! I bought basically Gary Jennings entire catalog last year while reading Aztec because I was so enthralled by Jennings’ writing. I am reading his book Spangle right now (which is awesome) and have been trying to decide whether to read the Journeyor or Raptor next. You just convinced me to pick Raptor. Will for sure do a book review when I’m done!
Oh yeah Raptor is an enveloping tale!
As a huge fan of Roman/ancient history I can’t wait to read that one. That will prob be my summer read next summer
Mind blowing how much Jennings is ahead of his time with this one?
Iḿ reading it now and I bought an old used copy that is weathered but the old pages add to the reading experience.
@@jaytcache6580 love it, old used books are the best. They get better with age
I read it decades ago. It’s brilliant . Interesting to see you said it’s the best book you have ever read but I agree. I couldn’t put it down either.
The beginning has been a drag for me, but I think I will like this book.
Yes, incredible book indeed! Question, do you think Mixtli was able to care for beu until she passed? I did not find that very clear in the book.
Dude! Aztec Blood is insane too. Aztec Rage is incredible. Aztec Fire is great. The 2012 Codex is garbage.
The Journeyer is epic and crazy.
Spangle is a story you feel could be true.
The main theme in all of the stories is that you become attached to the main characters, in such a way, that you feel their victories and their defeats.
Gary Jennings is the best. RIP
I’m looking forward to more reviews.
I’m gonna have to check out the sequels. I read some bad reviews that made it seem like they were trash but you’re the second person that told me they are good.
I’m reading Spangle right now and it’s unbelievably captivating. Gonna be upset when I get through all of his books. I read one of his lesser known books The terrible Teague bunch a couple months ago and it is absolute fire. It’s short but has the same classic Jennings feel.
I appreciate your support! I’m about 1/4 through Spangle right now and will definitely be doing a review on that one when I’m done
@@DOCbrothers I’ve read the complete Aztec series and Blood, Fire and Rage are amazing. I can’t quite remember Autumn. I’ll get back to you.
I will say this confidently, Blood and Fire have protagonists equally captivating as Mixtli. Not as eclectic but who is?!?!?
I have always loved anything by jennings. Nicolas Guild books are similar to jennings, when you run out of jennings books.
The codex book was only started by jennings. He died before really getting into it. I think his son or book agent finished it so it would end the Aztec series. They did a horrible job on it.
@@michaelriley2 I needed to know that. Thanks 🙏
Glad to see this video. Aztec is an amazing and awe-inspiring book. So entertaining and witty. Also incredibly tragic. Descriptive enough and still weeded with so much story. This book was an emotional one for me to finish. It was definitely long. The characters make it worthwhile though with a great plot. Bottom line is that it gives us a first hand glimpse into the spanish conquests as it met with an amazing civilization and ultimately destroyed it. That in and of itself is epic. However, there is so much that garry jenkins has his character do. This book is like james Cameron titanic but for books. On a side note. One thing that really threw me off was Mixtlis relationship with Bea. It was so obvious she loved him and he treated her so horribly for his own insecurities. This behavior coming from a character who has been with so many women made little sense to me and was sad to see bea get hurt repeatedly by Mixtli. At the end the character realizes that she really loved him, but i thought it was just too late. I think Miztli and Bea, after everything they went through, deserved a happy ending.
Because he thought she was trying to replace her sister, his wife. But he admits as such, that it was too late. Hopefully he was able to take care of her until she passed before he was executed.
@@gtrance3567 she was trying to in some ways I think....but he could of had more sympathy towards her. Just started Aztec Autumn :)
@@Hifive91 I don’t disagree with that. Do you think he had a chance to take care of her until she passed? The author does not make that clear.
@@gtrance3567 I would have to double check...but I believe she and mixtli did have their moment at the very end where they came to a mutual understanding. It was like he finally understood that she loved him. But it was definitely towards the end of their lives
@@Hifive91I just hope she didn’t die alone…
Where did you get that hard cover from?
Amazon!
What was the name and author of the Japanese novel.
@@habanero6332 Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa. Excellent novel 🤌🏻
@@DOCbrothers Thank you. I will look for it.
Robert Mcammon . Author . Paper back .
@@jamesellis2784 care to elaborate? What book by him do you recommend?