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Warlords of Ancient Mexico: How the Mayans and Aztecs Ruled for More Than a Thousand Years Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Peter G. Tsouras (Author), Paul Christy (Narrator), Audible Studios (Publisher)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 184 ratings
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Learn the unbelievable true history of the great warrior tribes of Mexico. More than 13 centuries of incredible spellbinding history are detailed in this intriguing study of the rulers and warriors of Mexico. Dozens of these charismatic leaders of nations and armies are brought to life by the deep research and entertaining storytelling of Peter Tsouras. Tsouras introduces the reader to the colossal personalities of the period: Smoking Frog, the Mexican Machiavelli, the Poet Warlord, the Lion of Anahuac, and others... all of them warlords who shaped one of the most significant regions in world history, men who influenced the civilization of half a continent. The warlords of Mexico, for all their fascinating lives and momentous acts, have been largely ignored by writers and historians, but here that disappointing record is put right by a range of detailed biographies that entertain as they inform. Students of the area, historians working in American history, and long-term visitors and tourists to the region will gain a much clearer understanding of the background history of these territories and the men who formed and reformed them.

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  1. Listening Length
    11 hours and 27 minutes
  2. Author
    Peter G. Tsouras
  3. Narrator
    Paul Christy
  4. Audible release date
    November 5, 2014
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Audible Studios
  7. ASIN
    B00P9NE19O
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 11 hours and 27 minutes
Author Peter G. Tsouras
Narrator Paul Christy
Audible.com Release Date November 05, 2014
Publisher Audible Studios
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00P9NE19O
Best Sellers Rank #196,402 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#77 in Mexican History
#149 in Aztec History
#270 in History of Civilization

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
184 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book readable and interesting. They describe it as a succinct yet comprehensive synthesis of existing information. However, some readers feel there is little about their weaponry and fighting formations.

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5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting and enjoyable to read.

"Very interesting. Even more so if it's true and or historacly correct. Well written and very readable." Read more

"...Still and all, this is a fine book and a solid four stars that I do recommend to those interested - or just wanting a change of pace in their..." Read more

"Very interesting reading; I have both the audio and digitial version - needed to SEE and HEAR the words in the Nahuatl language...." Read more

"interesting,but lacks real writing and history" Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"2 positive1 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's pacing. Some find it well-written and concise, providing a comprehensive synthesis of existing and diffused knowledge. However, others feel there is little detail on weaponry and fighting formations.

"...Even more so if it's true and or historacly correct. Well written and very readable." Read more

"...I was dissatisfied with the descriptions of their weapons and armor, Photos of reconstructed weapons were very much needed...." Read more

"A succinct yet comprehensive synthesis of extant and diffused sources into a flowing narrative that brings to life a history of my people. ...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Sal Warren
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting if true
    Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Very interesting. Even more so if it's true and or historacly correct. Well written and very readable.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Karl Lady
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book was delivered on time , no issues 👍
    Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024
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    Historical and eye opening
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  • Stone Dog
    4.0 out of 5 stars War in ancient Mexico.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Peter Tsouras, best known for his excellent alternative history books, gives us a work on a very neglected subject: warfare in pre-Columbian America.

    The author gives the reader a brief overview of the strategic picture in Central America at the time as well as the lay of the land. He begins with the Toltecs and their overarching superiority as a civilization as well as the legend of Quetzalcoatl - important since it has a vital role in the story of the later Aztec or "Mexica".

    Frankly, the author spends little time on the Maya. The focus of this book is on central Mexico. Although the reader must wade through often difficult to pronounce names and words, there's a lot of solid military history. The states of central Mexico were bellicose and expansionist - as well as having religions based on human sacrifice. This is a topic ignored by many historians and numerous television specials, leaving the reader with the impression that the Americas were peaceful utopias until the bad, bad white people came.

    The reality is diametrically opposed with bloodthirsty kings and emperors leading armies of highly skilled, valiant and disciplined warriors against those of their neighbors. The pre-Columbian Americas were violent places where empires and city states vied with each other, making alliances, absorbing territories of weaker states and making war for plunder or expansion. One thing the reader will note is the commonality with warfare in the West, in Asia and all other places in the world. Some things are universal: discipline, training, logistics, alliances, ruse, strategem, etc.

    Most of the book focuses on the most successful people we have extensive documentary evidence of: the Aztec or Mexica. They rose slowly from a weak vassal of great empires to conqueror of most of central Mexico. This rise was based on one thing - their skill at war. The Mexica rose by dint of their skill at war and ended up reversing their position as vassal into leader of an alliance that was almost unstoppable in warfare.

    Another thing apparent to the reader is the absolute savagery of the pre-Columbian peoples. At the end of the day, despite their achievements, they were bloodthirsty and genocide was a standard practice (though emperors often spared particularly wealthy or productive populations for their own profit). The Aztec were the pinnacle of slaughter, sacrificing tens of thousands in a single festival and using relays of priests to continue the slaughter as some would tire, others would take over.

    This is very much a military history with very little (but, still, there is some) culture, literature, architecture, etc. The illustrations are very good and give the reader an idea of what these people, battles and cities looked like. But, for a military-oriented book, there's little about their weaponry. I was dissatisfied with the descriptions of their weapons and armor, Photos of reconstructed weapons were very much needed. Also, there was very little about their fighting formations.

    Still and all, this is a fine book and a solid four stars that I do recommend to those interested - or just wanting a change of pace in their military history reading.
    70 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A descendant
    Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    A succinct yet comprehensive synthesis of extant and diffused sources into a flowing narrative that brings to life a history of my people. . .my history. I am a living inheritor of this history and the clash of two great civilizations. Peter Tsoras has given me a personal treasure. I trace my ancestors to Motecuzoma II and Cortés himself. Thank you Peter!
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Kevin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting reading; I have both the audio and ...
    Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Very interesting reading; I have both the audio and digitial version - needed to SEE and HEAR the words in the Nahuatl language. Caustion: as a history book, there are alot of names and dates - could be overwhelming at first.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Brian M.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Very detailed with situations. Better than expected.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Brailerth Ramirez
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2019
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    Book
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Lonnie W. Morris Jr.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2015
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    interesting,but lacks real writing and history
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • C. Mora Pineiro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book!
    Reviewed in Canada on November 24, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    It was excellent and one of the more truthful ones out there. I have read a lot of books on the subject and even the diaries of the explorers and the natives that wrote in english or had their letters translated. It showed both sides of the events and how horrible they both were. The Spanish were not the only murderers and in fact tried to outlaw child sacrifice but the natives would not stop. Things like this that a PC book would never explain, even when its the truth. The point is, books are the closest thing to a time machine and i want the TRUTH no matter who looks bad or who looks good. Loved this book and I bought it as a gift too.
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  • PEM C
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2024
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    Fast delivery. Good value. As described.
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  • Narendra Modi
    1.0 out of 5 stars sehr durchschnitt
    Reviewed in Germany on March 12, 2022
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    habe mehr fakten erwartet und keine erzählungen
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  • Dan
    5.0 out of 5 stars The horror! Excellent book
    Reviewed in Canada on May 27, 2018
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    This is an excellently written book, well documented and well written. Reads like an adventure novel.

    The story line follows very precisely how the human sacrifices evolve from relatively rare special events to mind boggling horrors like the 84,000 sacrifices made to consecrate the Great Pyramid of Tenochtitlan. The architect of this horror, Tlacaélel, has a spot assured next to the other great genocidal maniacs of the human race. The aztecs definitely were some of the nastiest people to live on earth, ever.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough account of the Mexica rise and fall.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    It’s a fascinating history of the Mexica/Aztec Empire from its origins to the downfall at the hands of Cortes and the Spanish conquistadors. The Empire was so alien to us in its savage religion which was based on human sacrifice of an extent that Western people find it difficult to grasp. The series of generally successful wars against the neighbouring city states is tribute to the quality of the Aztec monarchy. One criticism is that the Maya history is largely neglected to the point that the book’s title is somewhat misleading.
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