The Conquistadors : first-person accounts of the conquest of Mexico

The value of these eyewitness documents is twofold: They present the New World, and especially New Spain, from a contemporary viewpoint. And through them we learn of the dramatic interplay of cultures - the Spanish influence on America, and the American influence on Spain and Europe - during the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Several of the writers, such as Hernan Cortes, Pedro de Alvarado, and to a lesser extent Andres de Tapia, were prime figures in the conquests of Mexico and Guatemala. Others - Juan Diaz, Alonso (Francisco) de Aguilar, Garcia del Pilar - are remembered more for what they said than for what they did. The "Anonymous Chronicler" is unique in that he offers us a panoramic description of life in a native imperial capital. The Chronicle Of Juan Díaz -- The Chronicle Of Andrés De Tapia -- The Third Letter Of Cortés -- The Chronicle Of Fray Francisco De Aguilar -- The Chronicle Of The Anonymous Conquistador -- Two Letters Of Pedro De Alvarado -- The Chronicle Of García Del Pilar. Edited And Translated By Patricia De Fuentes ; Foreword By Ross Hassig. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [247]-250) And Index. Contents Foreword Introduction The Chronicle of Juan Diaz The Chronicle of Andrés de Tapia The Third Letter of Cortés The Chronicle of Fray Francisco de Aguilar The Chronicle of the Anonymous Conquistador Two Letters of Pedro de Alvarado The Chronicle of Garcia del Pilar Notes Bibliography Index These eyewitness accounts of the Spanish conquest of Mexico portray the New World, and especially New Spain, from a contemporary viewpoint. In addition, they demonstrate the dramatic interplay of cultures - the Spanish influence on America and the American influence on Spain and Europe. Reprint, with a new (5p.) foreword by Ross Hassig, of the Orion Press original of 1963 which is cited in BCL3 . Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.