Scan barcode
A review by cody240fc
Conquistador: Hernan Cortes, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs by Buddy Levy
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
The conquest of Mexico is the New World's version of Troy, though in this case we have historical fact supported by primary sources from both sides. Levy's book on Hernan Cortez's destruction of Tenochtitlan and the Aztec empire is remarkable. His descriptions of events and historical figures is compelling, but the primary and secondary sources he uses allows him to provide not only a wonderfully two-sided story, but also introduces the reader to the immense culture clash that took place in a space of just three short years.
There might not be a more complicated historical figure than Hernan Cortez, but the feats he accomplished in Mexico are nothing short of extraordinary. He is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of natives and his accomplishments gave rise to the age of colonialism, but it is also impossible to dismiss his intelligence, decisiveness, political genius, and immense good luck.
This is a captivating read for its adventurous tales of battles and exploits, but it is also valuable for its social, religious and cultural observations. Bravo to Levy. Five stars.
There might not be a more complicated historical figure than Hernan Cortez, but the feats he accomplished in Mexico are nothing short of extraordinary. He is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of natives and his accomplishments gave rise to the age of colonialism, but it is also impossible to dismiss his intelligence, decisiveness, political genius, and immense good luck.
This is a captivating read for its adventurous tales of battles and exploits, but it is also valuable for its social, religious and cultural observations. Bravo to Levy. Five stars.