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The Conquistadors
Color Plates
Foreword
Part 1: Ferdinand & Isabella
Part 2: Cortes
Prelude to conquest
The march to Mexico
The Aztecs
The enigma of Moctezuma
Defeat & conquest
Part 3: Pizarro
The gold seekers
Expeditions to the Andes
The Incas
Massacre, gold & civil war
Part 4: The aftermath
Author's Notes
Acknowledgments for Illustrations
Index
Index of Maps
Foreword
Part 1: Ferdinand & Isabella
Part 2: Cortes
Prelude to conquest
The march to Mexico
The Aztecs
The enigma of Moctezuma
Defeat & conquest
Part 3: Pizarro
The gold seekers
Expeditions to the Andes
The Incas
Massacre, gold & civil war
Part 4: The aftermath
Author's Notes
Acknowledgments for Illustrations
Index
Index of Maps
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
12 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Hammond Innes
104 books107 followersRalph Hammond Innes was an English novelist who wrote over 30 novels, as well as children's and travel books.He was awarded a C.B.E. (Commander, Order of the British Empire) in 1978. The World Mystery Convention honoured Innes with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Bouchercon XXIV awards in Omaha, Nebraska, Oct, 1993.
Innes was born in Horsham, Sussex, and educated at the Cranbrook School in Kent. He left in 1931 to work as a journalist, initially with the Financial Times (at the time called the Financial News). The Doppelganger, his first novel, was published in 1937. In WWII he served in the Royal Artillery, eventually rising to the rank of Major. During the war, a number of his books were published, including Wreckers Must Breathe (1940), The Trojan Horse (1941) and Attack Alarm (1941); the last of which was based on his experiences as an anti-aircraft gunner during the Battle of Britain at RAF Kenley. After being discharged in 1946, he worked full-time as a writer, achieving a number of early successes.
His novels are notable for a fine attention to accurate detail in descriptions of places, such as in Air Bridge (1951), set partially at RAF Gatow, RAF Membury after its closure and RAF Wunstorf during the Berlin Airlift.
Innes went on to produce books in a regular sequence, with six months of travel and research followed by six months of writing. Many of his works featured events at sea. His output decreased in the 1960s, but was still substantial. He became interested in ecological themes. He continued writing until just before his death. His last novel was Delta Connection (1996).
Unusually for the thriller genre, Innes' protagonists were often not "heroes" in the typical sense, but ordinary men suddenly thrust into extreme situations by circumstance. Often, this involved being placed in a hostile environment (the Arctic, the open sea, deserts), or unwittingly becoming involved in a larger conflict or conspiracy. The protagonist generally is forced to rely on his own wits and making best use of limited resources, rather than the weapons and gadgetry commonly used by thriller writers.
Four of his early novels were made into films: Snowbound (1948)from The Lonely Skier (1947), Hell Below Zero (1954) from The White South (1949), Campbell's Kingdom (1957), and The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959). His 1973 novel Golden Soak was adapted into a six-part television series in 1979.
Innes was born in Horsham, Sussex, and educated at the Cranbrook School in Kent. He left in 1931 to work as a journalist, initially with the Financial Times (at the time called the Financial News). The Doppelganger, his first novel, was published in 1937. In WWII he served in the Royal Artillery, eventually rising to the rank of Major. During the war, a number of his books were published, including Wreckers Must Breathe (1940), The Trojan Horse (1941) and Attack Alarm (1941); the last of which was based on his experiences as an anti-aircraft gunner during the Battle of Britain at RAF Kenley. After being discharged in 1946, he worked full-time as a writer, achieving a number of early successes.
His novels are notable for a fine attention to accurate detail in descriptions of places, such as in Air Bridge (1951), set partially at RAF Gatow, RAF Membury after its closure and RAF Wunstorf during the Berlin Airlift.
Innes went on to produce books in a regular sequence, with six months of travel and research followed by six months of writing. Many of his works featured events at sea. His output decreased in the 1960s, but was still substantial. He became interested in ecological themes. He continued writing until just before his death. His last novel was Delta Connection (1996).
Unusually for the thriller genre, Innes' protagonists were often not "heroes" in the typical sense, but ordinary men suddenly thrust into extreme situations by circumstance. Often, this involved being placed in a hostile environment (the Arctic, the open sea, deserts), or unwittingly becoming involved in a larger conflict or conspiracy. The protagonist generally is forced to rely on his own wits and making best use of limited resources, rather than the weapons and gadgetry commonly used by thriller writers.
Four of his early novels were made into films: Snowbound (1948)from The Lonely Skier (1947), Hell Below Zero (1954) from The White South (1949), Campbell's Kingdom (1957), and The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959). His 1973 novel Golden Soak was adapted into a six-part television series in 1979.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 15, 2020
Quite an impressive book. As the title says..it's about the conquistadores of the new world ...but really focussing only on Cortez and Pizzaro.I have read numerous histories of the conquest but this book seems very balanced in its approach and benefits from the use of some magnificent photos and illustrations. It also has a number of very useful maps. Innes, does not shy away from the violent nature of the conquests; nor does he fail to give credit to the role of local indian allies in the wars of conquest.
He also gives credit to the toughness of the Spanish soldiers themselves who put up with incredible hardships, disease, fear of the unknown, fighting at high altitudes against vastly superior numbers etc yet still managing to come out on top. Maybe it says something about Extremadura ...the land from which most were recruited.
He also gives some credit to the local indians and discusses the reasons for the success of the spanish against the locals; A mixture of luck...local civil wars and legends of conquerors coming whom they should not resist....plus the doggedness and fighting spirit of the Spanish soldiers.
Innes tells a good story and the book is actually hard to put down. I spent a few years in Mexico and have always been fascinated by the history. Innes's book goes some considerable way to satisfying my curiosity about a major point in Mexican and South American history.
There are lots of interesting wrinkles such as the fact that Cortez could have set himself as an independent king of Mexico and Central America but his loyalty to the crown prevented hm from doing this. And in the end he paid dearly as the bureaucrats moved int to take control and to denounce him.
Happy to give the book 5 stars. I liked it.
He also gives credit to the toughness of the Spanish soldiers themselves who put up with incredible hardships, disease, fear of the unknown, fighting at high altitudes against vastly superior numbers etc yet still managing to come out on top. Maybe it says something about Extremadura ...the land from which most were recruited.
He also gives some credit to the local indians and discusses the reasons for the success of the spanish against the locals; A mixture of luck...local civil wars and legends of conquerors coming whom they should not resist....plus the doggedness and fighting spirit of the Spanish soldiers.
Innes tells a good story and the book is actually hard to put down. I spent a few years in Mexico and have always been fascinated by the history. Innes's book goes some considerable way to satisfying my curiosity about a major point in Mexican and South American history.
There are lots of interesting wrinkles such as the fact that Cortez could have set himself as an independent king of Mexico and Central America but his loyalty to the crown prevented hm from doing this. And in the end he paid dearly as the bureaucrats moved int to take control and to denounce him.
Happy to give the book 5 stars. I liked it.
March 2, 2016
Luin joskus teininä ekan kerran ja nyt tuli luettua uudelleen. Historianahan tämä on vähän sinne päin, mutta tämä oli niitä kirjoja, jotka sementoivat kiinnostukseni mesoamerikkaan ja uuden maailman varhaishistoriaan. Ja onhan se uskomatonta miten jotkut plantut lähtevät valtaamaan miljoonan ihmisen valtakuntaa parin sadan ratsumiehen voimalla. Tuloksen ayksi maailmanhistorian karmeimmista kulttuurihistoriallisista onnettomuuksista, mutta herran tähden mitkä cojones!
July 15, 2008
This book was very well written. The best parts, in my opinion, were the brief histories of the Aztec and Inca people that the author included to explain the sucess of the conquests. Additionally, the author uses a variety of sources and personal experience from standing on the terrain he describes. All together worth reading.
April 22, 2012
A fairly good summary of the conquest of the Aztecs and Incas. Innes explains how the Reconquista left its stamp on the conquistadors. He also explains why Cortes should be classed as one of the great military leaders, a view with which I agree. The contrast with Pizzaro is significant, and the second half of the book is devoted to Pizzaro's conquest of the Incas. A good read.
June 2, 2015
excellent overview of the incredible conquest of the indies, great balance and fascinating portraits of the contrasting characters of Pizarro and Cortes. Also nice introduction to the complex civilizations that these two men destroyed.
November 8, 2012
Amazing history and leaving me curious to read more
I experienced a plethora of feelings as the Spaniards conquered South America and Peru.
I experienced a plethora of feelings as the Spaniards conquered South America and Peru.
January 11, 2021
Suomeksi tuli tämä luettua ensinnäkin.
Kyseessähän on siis 1960-luvulla kirjoitettu faktuaalinen teos Espanjalaisten valloitus- ja tutkimusmatkailutoiminnasta nykyisen Etelä- ja Keski-Amerikan alueilla 1500-luvulla. Teos on tyyliltään kohtuullisen pintapuolinen asian käsittelyssä, mutta yleiskuvan saa mukavasti siitä minkälaiset henkilöt vaikuttivat noiden retkien aikana tapahtumiin missäkin kohdin ja millä painokkuudella. Toisaalta teos on tyyliltään aika useastikin tapahtumien kuvauksen osalta "tarinamainen", joten on selvää että sisältöä on sovitettu vastaamaan kenties viihteellisempää tyyliä alun alkaenkin verrattuna puhtaasti akateemiseen kirjoitustyyliin.
Kirjassa kerrotaan hiukan syvemmin sekä Atsteekkien että Inkojen kulttuurista ja sen piirteistä aina niiden hävitykseen asti. Teos sisältää myös jonkin verran valokuvia em. kulttuurien taide-esineistöistä ja tutkimusmatkailijoiden reittien kartoista.
Sanoisin että tämä on ihan kohtuullisen kattava teos juuri heille jotka haluavat tietää "konkistadorien" aikakaudesta ja siitä miten läntinen kulttuuri silloisessa muodossaan asutti ja valloitti alkuperäiskansat tuolla mantereella. Teoksessa on myös hyviä kuvauksia siitä minkälaisia nämä Atsteekkien ja Inkojen kulttuurit olivat, jolloin voi sitten itse pohtia heidän kulttuuriensa yleisiä moraalisia ja eettisiä kipukohtia jos vain tahtoo.
Toki on myönnettävä että tätä nykyä kun arvostelua teoksesta kirjoittaa, niin todennäköisimmin uutta tutkimustietoa tästä historian aihe-alueesta on varmasti julkaistu. Sikäli siis teos voi olla osittain jo vanhentunutkin, mutta pääkohdat varmasti pitävät vielä suurelti paikkaansa tätä historian ajanjaksoa tutkittaessa.
Kyseessähän on siis 1960-luvulla kirjoitettu faktuaalinen teos Espanjalaisten valloitus- ja tutkimusmatkailutoiminnasta nykyisen Etelä- ja Keski-Amerikan alueilla 1500-luvulla. Teos on tyyliltään kohtuullisen pintapuolinen asian käsittelyssä, mutta yleiskuvan saa mukavasti siitä minkälaiset henkilöt vaikuttivat noiden retkien aikana tapahtumiin missäkin kohdin ja millä painokkuudella. Toisaalta teos on tyyliltään aika useastikin tapahtumien kuvauksen osalta "tarinamainen", joten on selvää että sisältöä on sovitettu vastaamaan kenties viihteellisempää tyyliä alun alkaenkin verrattuna puhtaasti akateemiseen kirjoitustyyliin.
Kirjassa kerrotaan hiukan syvemmin sekä Atsteekkien että Inkojen kulttuurista ja sen piirteistä aina niiden hävitykseen asti. Teos sisältää myös jonkin verran valokuvia em. kulttuurien taide-esineistöistä ja tutkimusmatkailijoiden reittien kartoista.
Sanoisin että tämä on ihan kohtuullisen kattava teos juuri heille jotka haluavat tietää "konkistadorien" aikakaudesta ja siitä miten läntinen kulttuuri silloisessa muodossaan asutti ja valloitti alkuperäiskansat tuolla mantereella. Teoksessa on myös hyviä kuvauksia siitä minkälaisia nämä Atsteekkien ja Inkojen kulttuurit olivat, jolloin voi sitten itse pohtia heidän kulttuuriensa yleisiä moraalisia ja eettisiä kipukohtia jos vain tahtoo.
Toki on myönnettävä että tätä nykyä kun arvostelua teoksesta kirjoittaa, niin todennäköisimmin uutta tutkimustietoa tästä historian aihe-alueesta on varmasti julkaistu. Sikäli siis teos voi olla osittain jo vanhentunutkin, mutta pääkohdat varmasti pitävät vielä suurelti paikkaansa tätä historian ajanjaksoa tutkittaessa.
January 5, 2023
An incredible tale of avarice and plunder - with back-up provided in the name of God...
Covers both the expeditions of Cortes and Pizarro in their quests for riches and power (mainly riches) through Central and South America. In particular, Cortes' Machiavellian skills were simultaneously awe-inspiring, treacherous and ruthless. Religion was just an adjunct to these men...but one to be used with gusto whenever it suited them or stacked the cards in their favour.
Very well written, this one is well worth a read if you're interested in Meso-American and South American history during the initial period of Spanish expansion.
Covers both the expeditions of Cortes and Pizarro in their quests for riches and power (mainly riches) through Central and South America. In particular, Cortes' Machiavellian skills were simultaneously awe-inspiring, treacherous and ruthless. Religion was just an adjunct to these men...but one to be used with gusto whenever it suited them or stacked the cards in their favour.
Very well written, this one is well worth a read if you're interested in Meso-American and South American history during the initial period of Spanish expansion.
July 22, 2022
Fairly objective and reliable sounding information about Spanish crusades in Mexico and Peru. First and second parts of Finnish translation were awkwardly translated, with the last part being much easier to read.
July 18, 2021
Detailed accounts of the conquest of Mexico and Peru.
WOuld recommend to anyone interested in the subject.
WOuld recommend to anyone interested in the subject.
April 20, 2022
Detailed, but not boring summary of the Spanish conquest of middle and southern America. Sometimes you just want to keep reading to see what will happen next.
August 25, 2013
Peru and Mexico, 3 years with respect for truth yet so many with political bias, Cortez Pizarro products of history, 800 years fighting Moors in Spain, desire for conversion became inquisition with 10K killed in 18 years, racial and religious intolerance, Jews killed and evicted, start conquering, adventurers vs settlers, invited conquered back into town baptized dispelled gods worshiped with human sacrifice, tribes restless under Montezuma and taxed, girls of chiefs given up, cannibalism, priests killed for idols and practiced sodomy, Aztecs failed to consolidate military victories, warrior Indian groups terrorized country, Cortez had native princess who was instrumental in communication with M, M did gifts and gifts to prevent MX City entry—sign of weakness, M had fatalist belief and that Spain’s king a more revered leader or M knew who he was with gold riches and degrading human sacrifices, no face to face, M offered own children at end, responded with interrogation of officers freedom to M, life was cheap in Mexico, door of appeasement once opened not easily shut, canals throughout, battle towers, M 3 days to die after struck with rock no desire to live, 3 months war and 200K victorious Indians of Cortez, more Spaniards from Cuba, Pizarro 60s divided subservient culture of many gods with sacrifice, superb roads main factor, P no written dispatches to Spain, without Catholic Church position of Indians would have been worse, destroyed culture of human sacrifices and temples of gold, competing Spaniards envious and tarnished reputation during colonization period, P found Lima and statues while no Cortez in Mexico, Indians made conquest and Spanish made revolution.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews