Charles Gibson (1) (1920–1985)

The author worked on this book from the 1950's to the 1960's and it seems safe to say that it is a product of it's time. He discusses how the Spanish organized economic production, religion, land usage, tribute, and a host of other things in the Aztec lands after the conquest and up to Mexican independence. The emphasis is on weighing the relative importance of different Spanish institutions and practices against each other through the colonial era, utilizing statistics when they are available and roundabout estimates when they are not. The research is so meticulous that even the endnotes and the bibliography are almost 200 pages long. I would imagine that this book can serve as a great bibliographical resource for later generations of researchers.

However, the author does not feel the need to provide any kind of evaluative commentary on his narrative. To a modern reader this seems absurd, particularly in light of the fact that the Aztec population declined precipitously after the conquest and was clearly exploited by its conquerors. In the 400 pages which constitute the main part of this book, the author spends perhaps two or three pages on discussing the reasons for Aztec decline and refrains from any moral condemnation. It was probably an ideal of historical scholarship in the 1960's not to pass judgment on bygone ages, but this attitude is not really satisfactory in the 21st century, especially in a book which claims to provide a discussion of the Aztec people. I would for this reason not recommend this book to modern readers even though the scholarship itself is of high quality.… (meer)