AZTEK - What a great novel!!

Is it a tragedy? Was it meant to be so sad, so bloody and unfair?  I just read one book that really marveled me, one that will always be in my personal library as a treasure, ASTEK by Gary Jennings.
This historic novel about the life of an "mexica" man, who lived and travel all around Mexico before it was conquered and even witnessed how the Aztecs took the news of the first men arriving from the oceans. The book was published in year 1980 and 34 years later, here I am, a Mexican lady, amazed and really eager to know more about my ancestors.

There is no doubt of how much history and culture the "Aztecs" left in this land, all the beauty of its glorious times are showed in its pyramids and I bet there is still more to be discovered about them.

Anyway, this is just a teaser, I do not want this words to be a spoiler, but really give you the idea of the great things you will discover in this novel:

1. You will find the names of Aztec gods and goddesses, many of them inspiration of many places, even names of people, yes here in Mexico and abroad.
2. Did you know women actually were the regents, even were adored in some places of America? One of them was god, judge, regent all at the same time. 
3. This thing of shaving ourselves, well... comes from old times, with the Purhépechas from Michoacán! Chewing gum, yes, also from old times with the Olmecas.
4. Find out why the first Spaniards that arrived in our land were considered gods, what was the impression of the locals when they saw their big ships, their dogs, horses and fire weapons for the first time.
5. And imagine the faces of the Spaniards when as a tribute, Aztecs would give them presents of gold, and rubies and many other treasures. 
6. Sadly you will see how one woman in particular took a very important place in the history, even if she was "indian", she took part with the Spaniards and made a whole difference in the results.
7. How Tenochtitlan residents, warriors and Cuauhtemoc survived a site of almost 3 months, how they honorably made it until the last moment, giving all the resistance humanly possible to the conquerors, some died there, some finally left. But all of them were honest, brave Aztecs fighting for their land, their future.
8. And finally, there was a huge element in the Conquering of the Americas, that affected more than any man, more than any weapon... you will discover it here too.

I know that it was the "tonali", destiny of the Aztecs, and that is how on August 13th. 1521 Hernán Cortés and its soldiers took whatever was left of the Great Tenochtitlan, the magic and pride capital of "El Unico Mundo", a place that before them, before the small pox, and the parsimony of the Spaniards, was paradise, full of marble, and floating gardens and rivers and white buildings.

Can we still inherit the best of both nations, the Aztecs and the Spaniards? Could we be truthful but astute; courageous but cautious; meditative but still able to take an opportunity when you see it. Could we be respectful to the god of the sun, the god of the rain and the god of the war, respect animals and the nature and adore it but still be wise to know that we do not need human sacrifices, and be people of good hearts and generous with each other?

May the future conquests of humanity bring only education, food, water and hope to the areas that need it. May there not be any more blood in the name of gods, money or any other selfish reason.

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