ebooks The History of the Conquest of New Spain by Bernal Díaz del Castillo by From Brand: University of New Mexico Press in History

Review

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Epic AdventureBy Robert A. BourgeoisThis is an eyewitness account by a soldier who participated in all the major expeditions of the conquest of Old Mexico (now called the Aztec empire) by conquistadors and also a brief account of the conquest of the Mayan lands of Guatemala. The major figure of the first conquest is Hernan Cortes and of the second; Pedro de Alvorado. This edition provides essential; clear; and extremely important maps; as well as a number of short essays to contextualize the participants and the culture of the Mexica Indians or; as we now call them; Aztecs. For example; we learn of La Malinche; the Aztec woman who served as both the mistress and interpreter of Cortes at every stage of the invasion; other essays cover sexuality in the conquest and the cultural context of human sacrifice. It is a riveting story; even though; or perhaps because; the author is a simple man: a good soldier who provides an objective chronicle of the episodes of this monumental conquest. Del Castillo's character study of Montezuma; including the account of his death; is masterful and infinitely sad. Both sides; from their own viewpoint; routinely practiced savage cruelty and at the same time were capable of courage; magnanimity; and refinement. This account -- one of the the greatest adventures of all time -- filled me with awe; pity; and dread.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Insightful;fasinating;ancient true account; easy to read!By Susan GebhardtIf you want to relive what really happened when Cortes first set foot on the shores of what is now Mexico; please read this. It is almost as if you are sitting there listening to a friend tell a story about a trip that they had and all that they saw and did. The fact that David Carrasco really brought back all the words that were originally left out; and his added information accompanying the story; certainly added to the perspective of the history of this time in Mexico.Extremely colorful; revealing; and sometimes brutal; Bernard Diaz del Castillo describes everything from his memory; years later. He says in the beginning that he left this legacy for his children because he never got the gold that this expedition had promised him! How much luckier are we that he did this instead. A wonderful story of what one man saw accompanying Cortes; and his comparisons and perspective on what he saw and did are priceless! I loved it when he first met Montezuma; sitting on his throne; and of all things; Bernard said he was eating a tortilla!!!! Wish every American traveling to Mexico would read this first!!!!!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Unbelievable read! I had no idea such an articulate ...By Steven KingUnbelievable read! I had no idea such an articulate record existed of this conquest. So revealing to read about two cultures having first contacts and the clash of cultures and traditions. So many interesting comparisons -the nature of humanity.