In 1519 Hernán Cortés and a small band of Spanish conquistadors overthrew the mighty Mexican empire of the Aztecs. Using excerpts primarily drawn from Bernal Diaz's 1632 account of the Spanish victory and testimonies — many recently uncovered — of indigenous Nahua survivors; Victors and Vanquished clearly demonstrates how personal interests; class and ethnic biases; and political considerations influenced the interpretation of momentous events. A substantial introduction is followed by 9 chronological sections that illuminate the major events and personalities in this powerful historical episode and reveal the changing attitudes toward European expansionism. The volume includes a broad array of visual images and maps; a glossary of Spanish and Nahua terms; biographical notes; a chronology; a selected bibliography; questions for consideration; and an index.
#3101830 in Books 2002-02-09Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.20 x .46 x 7.86l; #File Name: 0312267479144 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Precious history.By History TeacherThis book has photographs to treasure. To see black people at this period of history recorded in photographs is a precious thing. However; I must agree with the consensus that the text is worthless; which is why I didn't give the book five stars. I was not interested in the author's guesses about these people and many times he was actually obnoxious in his anxiety to make sure the reader saw the photographs with his spin on them.Particularly moving; besides the portrait on the front of the woman and child were the memorial photograph of the dead baby; and the couple of photos of slaves lined up in front a plantation. It was interesting to see; although it was not the common experience that there were already so many black middle-class pre-slavery; or at least; so many blacks managed to dress up for even a one-time portrait. I have some older photos in my family and I know from that that people put their best foot forward and rented clothes that were better than their usual ones and so forth for portraits. Also; even in the 19th century it was possible to retouch photos and remove things that they did not want to be seen.8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Fantastic Pictures; Be wary of the CommentaryBy A CustomerI give this book 4 stars because the photographs are FANTASTIC!! But; I have to agree; Mr. Wilson does take extreme liberty with some of his comments. Don't get me wrong; there are indeed some history lessons to be had here; but indeed on page 27 those women are related. Where he got the idea that these women were merely "abolitionists" puzzles me. I think perhaps he was trying to teach a history lesson here; and he needed a picture to try and fit that lesson; he just used the wrong picture to make his point. I can't imagine someone having such a fabulous picture and not understand the true meaning of it. So; with that said please enjoy the pictures and the history lesson that he's trying to teach. Just don't try and put the two together.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy marshallGREAT READING!!!
