Camilla Townsend is Distinguished Professor of History at Rutgers University and a vocal supporter of the rights of indigenous peoples. She is the author of numerous books, including Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs, which won the Cundill History Prize in 2020. Her other books include Malintzin's Choices: An Indian Woman in the Conquest of Mexico, Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma and The Annals of Native America: How the Nahuas of Colonial Mexico Kept Their History Alive.
'Townsend succeeds magnificently in conjuring up the world of Mexico-Tenochtitlan ... It is a tale of high politics, spy dramas and divine intervention, where gods and sorcerers mingled with rulers and wise women. It is a credit to the author that she succeeds in packing so much nuance and detail into this enjoyable and accessible short text. The book shows a world that matters ... To centre these histories is an act of resistance that enriches our understanding and enlivens our imagination' - Caroline Dodds Pennock, BBC History