Conquistador: Hernan Cortes, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs
Jun 2008 · Sold by Bantam
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A thrilling narrative of the larger-than-life clash between a relentless conqueror and a formidable king that led to the destruction of the Aztec empire, from the award-winning historian and author of River of Darkness
“Fascinating . . . [an] almost unbelievable story of missionary zeal, greed, cruelty, and courage.”—The Wall Street Journal
“A sweeping and majestic history of a clash of civilizations that reshaped the New World.”—Neal Bascomb, author of Red Mutiny
“I and my companions suffer from a disease of the heart which can be cured only with gold.”—Hernán Cortés
It was a moment unique in human history, the face-to-face meeting between two men from civilizations a world apart. Only one would survive the encounter.
In 1519, Hernán Cortés arrived on the shores of Mexico with a roughshod crew of adventurers and the intent to expand the Spanish empire. Along the way, this brash and roguish conquistador schemed to convert the native inhabitants to Catholicism and carry off a fortune in gold. That he saw nothing paradoxical in carrying out his intentions by virtually annihilating a proud and accomplished people is one of the most remarkable—and tragic—aspects of this unforgettable story of conquest.
In Tenochtitlán, the famed City of Dreams, Cortés met his Aztec counterpart, Montezuma: king, divinity, ruler of fifteen million people, and commander of the most powerful military machine in the Americas. Yet in less than two years, Cortés defeated the entire Aztec nation in one of the most astonishing military campaigns ever waged. Sometimes outnumbered in battle thousands-to-one, Cortés repeatedly beat seemingly impossible odds.
Buddy Levy meticulously researches the mix of cunning, courage, brutality, superstition, and finally disease that enabled Cortés and his men to survive. Epic in scope, as entertaining as it is enlightening, Conquistador is history at its most riveting.
“Fascinating . . . [an] almost unbelievable story of missionary zeal, greed, cruelty, and courage.”—The Wall Street Journal
“A sweeping and majestic history of a clash of civilizations that reshaped the New World.”—Neal Bascomb, author of Red Mutiny
“I and my companions suffer from a disease of the heart which can be cured only with gold.”—Hernán Cortés
It was a moment unique in human history, the face-to-face meeting between two men from civilizations a world apart. Only one would survive the encounter.
In 1519, Hernán Cortés arrived on the shores of Mexico with a roughshod crew of adventurers and the intent to expand the Spanish empire. Along the way, this brash and roguish conquistador schemed to convert the native inhabitants to Catholicism and carry off a fortune in gold. That he saw nothing paradoxical in carrying out his intentions by virtually annihilating a proud and accomplished people is one of the most remarkable—and tragic—aspects of this unforgettable story of conquest.
In Tenochtitlán, the famed City of Dreams, Cortés met his Aztec counterpart, Montezuma: king, divinity, ruler of fifteen million people, and commander of the most powerful military machine in the Americas. Yet in less than two years, Cortés defeated the entire Aztec nation in one of the most astonishing military campaigns ever waged. Sometimes outnumbered in battle thousands-to-one, Cortés repeatedly beat seemingly impossible odds.
Buddy Levy meticulously researches the mix of cunning, courage, brutality, superstition, and finally disease that enabled Cortés and his men to survive. Epic in scope, as entertaining as it is enlightening, Conquistador is history at its most riveting.
A thrilling narrative of the larger-than-life clash between a relentless conqueror and a formidable king that led to the destruction of the Aztec empire, from the award-winning historian and author of River of Darkness
“Fascinating . . . [an] almost unbelievable story of missionary zeal, greed, ...
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Ratings and reviews
30 reviews
A Google user
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December 20, 2010
This is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. I couldn't put it down, on the edge of my seat. Incrediable writing on a tale that is truly unbelievable!
Scott Sager
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June 27, 2017
This book was so fascinating it bordered on the unbelievable. And to think this is a true story.... you couldn't make this stuff up. Wow, what a ride. Highly recommended.
1 person found this review helpful
Enrique Barahona Ramos
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February 19, 2020
Good account of history's greatest clash of civilizations, one that kickstarted globalization and shaped the world that we know today.
About the author
Buddy Levy is the author of the recent books No Barriers: A Blind Man’s Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon (with Erik Weihenmeyer), Geronimo: Leadership Strategies of an American Warrior (with Mike Leach), and River of Darkness: Francisco Orellana’s Legendary Voyage of Death and Discovery Down the Amazon. His other books include Conquistador: Hernán Cortés, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs, which was a finalist for the 2009 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award and nominated for the 2009 Before Columbus Foundation American Book Award and a 2009 PEN Center USA Award, American Legend: The Real-Life Adventures of David Crockett, and Echoes on Rimrock: In Pursuit of the Chukar Partridge. His books have been published in six languages.
As a freelance journalist, he has covered adventure sports and lifestyle/travel subjects around the world, including several Eco-Challenges and other adventure expeditions in Argentina, Borneo, Europe, Greenland, Morocco, and the Philippines. His magazine articles and essays have appeared in Alaska Beyond, Backpacker, Big Sky Journal, Couloir, Discover, High Desert Journal, Poets & Writers, River Teeth, Ski, Trail Runner, Utne Reader, TV Guide, and VIA. He is clinical associate professor of English at Washington State University, and lives in northern Idaho.
As a freelance journalist, he has covered adventure sports and lifestyle/travel subjects around the world, including several Eco-Challenges and other adventure expeditions in Argentina, Borneo, Europe, Greenland, Morocco, and the Philippines. His magazine articles and essays have appeared in Alaska Beyond, Backpacker, Big Sky Journal, Couloir, Discover, High Desert Journal, Poets & Writers, River Teeth, Ski, Trail Runner, Utne Reader, TV Guide, and VIA. He is clinical associate professor of English at Washington State University, and lives in northern Idaho.
Buddy Levy is the author of the recent books No Barriers: A Blind Man’s Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon (with Erik Weihenmeyer), Geronimo: Leadership Strategies of an American Warrior (with Mike Leach), and River of Darkness: Francisco Orellana’s Legendary Voyage of Death and Discovery Down the...
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