Of Aztecs and Conquistadors

by Juan Pablo Jalisco

'Of Aztecs and Conquistadors' is the definitive collection of Juan Pablo Jalisco's poetry. The selection featured within these pages will carry the reader on a journey not only through the vast beauty of the land that is Mexico, but also serves as a journey through the ages that have helped to shape this at times wild and rugged, but always romantic and awesomely beautiful country and its people.

Amazon #1 bestseller in Caribbean & Latin American Poetry
Amazon #1 bestseller in Native American Poetry

65 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Isobel Blackthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a moving and evocative collection of poetry set in Mexico that sets out to paint a descriptive landscape as much as enlighten the reader of the ancient and magical ways of a place steeped in tradition. The author’s own passion and appreciation shine through the verses. There are plaintive pleas to arrest destruction, and a harkening back to days of yore. This collection is composed from the point of view of the observer providing a window for the reader who cannot help but share in the laments and the soulful celebrations. Friendship, love, memories, death, this poet leaves little in the spectrum of human emotion untouched.

[Michael Wilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting prose
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Whilst a great admirer of Brian L. Porter’s crime adventures and his heart-warming pet stories, I was fascinated to discover a new unsuspected side to his abilities - as a poet, writing under the pseudonym of Juan Pablo Jalisco. Although I am ready to admit that I am not a fan of poetry, I quickly fell under the spell of his uplifting prose, guiding the reader through his intense appreciation of Mexico’s history and of its values and culture. I felt almost privileged to have been invited to delve deeply into his most precious feelings, from enduring friendship and love affairs to death and destruction. It is almost impossible to select examples from the rich offerings available, but one of my favourites was the shared joy of swimming with a Dolphin in ‘Juan Pablo and the Dolphin’ and the one that epitomises the futility of war entitled ‘The Colors of the World’ with the telling phrase “The skies were smoke grey, the grass was gone, the earth stained bloody red, as the nations of civilised humanity ignited in war, and counted the countless dead”. If you are searching for something to enrich your evening in these trying times, do not hesitate. Highly recommended

[John Broughton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juan Pablo Jalisco is a pseudonym, but that is the only thing false about this wonderfully sincere collection of poems. The words skip across the page with a lightness of touch that belies the depth of the arguments. Revolution, war, death, love, history, and family—the sentiments abound, inspired by a muse. The poem Maria Conchita Morena explains the poet’s love of this land, distilled in the dark eyes of a woman. I’ve never been to Mexico, but after reading this collection, I feel that my senses were ignited by the words evoking sounds, smells, tastes and a secular brooding history. It’s all there and never banal. I look forward to reading more poetry by this gifted writer.

[A.J. Griffiths-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely collection of vibrant & dramatic poetry that brings to life the very essence of Mexico. From artists to history & from seasons to childhood, the author covers many aspects of life in the country, all with easily flowing prose & heartfelt emotion. I particularly enjoyed ‘The Colours of Autumn’ as the words seemed to reflect every hue and shade of the cooler months. A great book to dip in and out of.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of poetry that brings the land of Mexico to life. I found the author writes with passion and gives readers an intriguing look into life that many of us don't know a lot about. This collection will touch your heart.

[Berk Rourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just had the great pleasure of reading this wonderful anthology of poetry by one of my all time favorite authors, Harry Porter, writing under the pseudonym of Juan Pablo Jalisco. I feel privileged to have seen so deeply into the soul of this great writer through his poetry and to have had my own memories dredged from the shadows of my mind in the process.
I want to mention several of the poems here. The first is the Colors of the World. I am shaken by the phrase "the skies turned ashen gray and the ground to bloody red." Never have I heard the sadness of war so eloquently described in so few words. I loved the poem Where The Artists Live, having visited briefly in Jocotopec myself and wishing now I had the sense to stay and find my own center, as did the writer. Dame La Mano (Give me your hand) mi hermano (my brother) struck me deeply as it described the need for friendship and contact. The Trees in Winter (Los Arboles en Invierno) brought me almost to my knees with its symbolism and recognition of the pain of aging and the affectation of the passing of fall into winter.
Poetry is the song of the soul. The music written in this wonderful short book fills the heart with joy, with sadness, with recognition of pain, with growth, with realization of purpose, and many other things including the absolute joy of the experience of swimming with a Dolphin. I could not have given this short book anything less that five stars as they are so wonderfully earned.