Here is my review of the book, written about 1550-1570.
The Discovery and Conquest of Mexico by Bernal Diaz del Castillo is the only extant first person account of the campaign under the command of Hernando Cortez from 1519 to 1520. The campaign resulted in the discovery and conquest of the Aztec civilization in Mexico. Cortez himself wrote five long letters to Carlos V in Spain. Parts of them are included in this edition to help explain the narrative. But Cortez' letters were essentially reports of a Conquistador commander seeking favor, and explaining his actions, which were mostly extralegal.The entire Conquest was a massive verification of the adage that "It is easier to obtain forgiveness than permission."
Bernal Diaz' account is a first person narrative of the entire campaign, with the amazing detail of a foot soldier who is vitally interested in food, women, weapons, and gold. He includes accounts of two separate expeditions before Cortez.
A fantastic read by anyone who is interested in the Spanish Conquest of Mexico. Besides being a first-hand account, it was written by an old soldier, not a university scholar, so it is an easy read.
Dias, who wrote the book when he was old, remembers the names of most of the horses, but couldn’t remember the expedition’s priest’s name.
I read that book back in 1962! Also read Prescott’s book. Must reads for everyone.
I obtained a copy a few years back, re-read it, then donated it to my local library. They tossed it in the the box to send to the junk store.
Free e-book version of ‘The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo’:
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/32474/32474-h/32474-h.htm