"Skillful chronological narrative, relying on ethnohistorical sources, of the history of the Aztec empire, with particular attention to the relatively lightly studied reign of Montezuma (1502-1520). Provides some attention to controversial issues, such as the Aztecs' predictions of the coming of the Spanish, Quetzalcoatl's expected return, and conflicting stories about Montezuma's death. One interesting chapter examines the daily life of the Mexican sovereign"--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 58.