Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs (Camilla Townsend)

Overview of Fifth Sun by Camilla Townsend

Fifth Sun by Camilla Townsend is a new history book that aims to recapture the history of pre-conquest Mexico and shed light on the Aztecs. Townsend uses post-conquest writings and fictional vignettes to reconstruct their world. While the accuracy of this method is open to question, it provides some insight into the Aztec civilization. The book also explores the dearth of Aztec writings in the modern sense, attributing it to their lack of an alphabet and the destruction of existing records by the Spanish. Townsend aims to dispel simplistic myths about the Aztecs, challenging claims such as their belief that the Spanish were returning gods. Overall, the book offers an in-depth exploration of Aztec history, including their social organization, economic challenges, and cultural practices.