Here in This Year: Seventeenth-Century Nahuatl Annals of the Tlaxcala-Puebla Valley

Here in This Year presents indigenous Nahuatl-language annals from colonial Mexico, translated and analyzed by historian Camilla Townsend. The text contains records kept by native scribes in the Tlaxcala-Puebla Valley during the 1600s, documenting local events, weather patterns, and community changes through annual entries. The book provides both the original Nahuatl text and English translations, accompanied by extensive historical context and commentary. These annals were maintained by indigenous writers who lived through the complex transition period after Spanish conquest, recording their observations of both everyday life and significant developments in their communities. Townsend's translation and analysis reveals how indigenous peoples maintained their own historical records and perspectives while navigating Spanish colonial rule. The work contributes to understanding both the practical realities of colonial Mexico and the ways in which Native American communities preserved their voices and experiences through writing.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Camilla Townsend's overall work: Readers appreciate Townsend's research depth and her ability to present indigenous Mexican history from native perspectives, particularly in "Fifth Sun." Multiple reviewers noted her skill at making academic material accessible without oversimplifying. Readers liked: - Clear writing style that avoids academic jargon - Use of primary Nahuatl sources - Balanced view of Aztec culture beyond just human sacrifice - Detailed notes and citations Common criticisms: - Some found the narrative structure jumps between time periods - A few readers wanted more maps and visual aids - Dense information can be overwhelming for casual readers Ratings: Goodreads: "Fifth Sun" - 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings) "Pocahontas" - 3.9/5 (280+ ratings) "Malintzin's Choices" - 4.1/5 (190+ ratings) Amazon: "Fifth Sun" - 4.7/5 (850+ ratings) "Pocahontas" - 4.4/5 (90+ ratings) Many readers specifically praised her myth-busting approach to well-known historical figures like Pocahontas and Malintzin.

Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs by Camilla Townsend This narrative draws from native-language sources to present the Aztec perspective of their civilization's history through translations of Nahuatl documents.

Time Among the Maya by Ronald Wright The book combines translations of indigenous Maya texts with archaeological findings to reconstruct daily life in pre-colonial Mesoamerica.

The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico by Miguel León-Portilla This work presents the Spanish conquest through Nahuatl accounts and indigenous codices, offering the perspective of those who experienced the fall of Tenochtitlan.

Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest by Matthew Restall The text examines primary sources from both Spanish and indigenous perspectives to challenge common misconceptions about the conquest of the Americas.

Daily Life in Colonial Mexico by Joan Cameron Bristol Using archival documents and indigenous sources, this work reconstructs the social history of New Spain through the experiences of both Spanish and native peoples.

🔖 The annals covered in this book were written by Indigenous scribes who had learned to write using the Roman alphabet from Spanish missionaries, allowing them to record their own histories and perspectives. 🏛️ Tlaxcala was one of the most important Indigenous allies of the Spanish during the conquest of Mexico, and maintained significant autonomy throughout the colonial period. 📚 Author Camilla Townsend is a distinguished professor at Rutgers University and won the 2020 Cundill History Prize for her book "Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs." 📝 The original Nahuatl texts included in this book provide rare insights into how Indigenous communities adapted to and interpreted Spanish colonial rule in their own words. 🗓️ These annals follow a unique hybrid format, combining pre-Hispanic traditions of year-by-year record-keeping with European writing conventions, creating a fascinating blend of cultural practices.