Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: PUGACHEV

Bernal Diaz’ book is a gem, but by no means the only first person account of the conquest. Cortez in his long letters (Relations)) to Charles V, and an anonymous history by “The Unknown Conquistador” are both eyewitness accounts.


Cortez’ letters are those of commander currying favor from the Emperor, Charles V.

The history by The Unknown Conquistador is much shorter, and does not really cover Cortez’ campaign, just a small portion.

At least that was how they were described when I read of them.


38 posted on 06/21/2017 12:14:02 PM PDT by marktwain (President Trump and his supporters are the Resistance. His opponents are the Reactionaries.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies ]


To: marktwain
I thought Hugh Thomas' Conquest (1994) was by far the best book I had ever read on the subject and a good place to start before reading Diaz del Castillo.

Some parts of the story are simply incredible. They're just too unlikely to be true, or, as you namesake put it, "Truth is stranger than Fiction, because it's obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't."

46 posted on 06/21/2017 3:21:41 PM PDT by PUGACHEV
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson