Cortés and the Aztec Conquest

by Irwin R. Blacker

In three years, the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés, leading a few hundred Spanish soldiers, overcame a centuries-old empire that could put tens of thousands of warriors on the field. Even after his god-like reputation had been shattered, and his horses and cannons were no longer regarded as supernatural, his ruthless daring took him on to victory. Yet in the end, his prize was not the gold that he had sought, but the destruction of the entire Aztec civilization.

Genres: History

84 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Irwin R. Blacker, Ph.D. (English, Western Reserve University; B.A., Ohio University) was an author and screenwriter who taught at the University of Southern California School of Cinema and Television from 1964 until his retirement in 1978. Among his students were many who went on to careers in Hollywood, including George Lucas.

Reviews

[Joshua Scott Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief introduction for novices, not for those familiar with the subject.

This is a short introduction to Cortés and his conquest of Mexico. As someone who hadn't really learned much about the Conquistadors since 4th Grade, I feel this was a good starting place to expand upon. It begins with the first Spanish interactions with the Indians in "New Spain" and ends after Cortés' campaign, providing context and brief history lessons. Factoids about the Inca civilization and the rise of the Aztecs gives the reader a better understanding of the local situation the Spaniards find themselves in, the political climate and alliances between the Mexican tribes, as well as cultural traditions someone unfamiliar with Meso-America should know.

This book isn't for those who already possess in depth knowledge of the subject, it keeps the history moving along and doesn't dwell on any particular point for too long. It's a perfect crash course (I read it in about 90 minutes) for newbies or people looking for a quick refresher. Perfect book for my purposes, but look else where for in depth research or commentary.

[Cynthia T Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice quick summary of Spanish invasion of Mexico

The sequence of events as just a few Conquistadors fought the great Aztec empire and won. They also had as allies the surprising effect of the horses they brought with them as well as the diseases that also were in their blooo.

[Vernon Maddux · Rating 3 out of 5]

No European disease?

A good recounting of events but gives the reader little insight on why thing as happened as they did. Cortes was one great warriors of all time. No mention of the effects of European disease.

[Diana Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. I would have liked more detail, but a good general look at the conquest.

[William Razavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think my personal favorite part of this book was how many times we are told that Cortes took time out to muster his troops to figure out how many he actually had and then we are told the number of soldiers, horses, crossbows and firearms he had at any given point. I guess this is a great reminder of the importance of taking attendance.
I suspect there are more sanitized versions of Cortes being presented to young readers today so it's good to see that this book can't quite go there and does let you know how many times Cortes took women and children and not only enslaved them but made sure to brand them to mark them.
You can hear a little lament in the tone of the end of the book where it notes that "there are no statues of Cortes in the land he conquered" but there's no scowling when it mentions that modern Mexico embraces its Aztec heritage.
The Christianizing rhetoric runs deep in this book, but it is offset by the repeated horrors of Cortes as he conquers and enslaves people. Similarly, the tone of "aw, gee isn't this a fun adventure story" is undercut by the stories of branding and enslaving people. All in all, it's a less objectionable read than other colonial narratives in this series and so there's a lot that is still valuable here and of course the illustrations are great.

[Jennifer Mugrage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up from our local library. "Oh, I only know the outlines of this period of history. I need to know more." The version I have was published in 1965, well before I was born. But with history books, that doesn't matter, as the book is drawing on even older sources.

This book doesn't pick heroes or villains. It's a fairly simple, straightforward account of what happened, from Cortez sailing from Cuba, until the fall of Tenochtitlan.

It's a page turner.

Honestly, I would not put any of this stuff in a novel, because no one would believe it. In the first few chapters, at least once per chapter there was an "I can't believe that just happened" moment. In the second half of the book, there is such a moment every one or two pages.

Also, perhaps because this book was published in 1965, it does not go for the excessively dry, boring writing that academic history sometimes strives for. The writing is matter-of-fact, not sensationalist, not blamely, but moves along quickly. Five stars for the genre.

[Chuck Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read that provides an accounting of Cortez' conquest. It is not easy to understand how such an apparently aggressive and warlike people could be subdued by a such a small force. The standard argument of firearms and the professional combat-trained force overcame 1000 - 1 odds is evident in this book but without a great deal of explanation but to no fault of the author since any in-depth analysis is lost to history due to the complete annihilation of the Aztecs cities and the suppression of their culture. It was a easy to read, enjoyable book.

[David Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

The siege of Tenocticlan

This is a well written account of Cortes battle to conquer the Aztec people and acquire wealth and land for Spain and King Charles. The account of Cortes military genius, his courage, his ability to lead men into battles against odds is well portrayed in the siege of the Aztec city of Tenocticlan
It is not a long book so no doubt much of the politics is abbreviated. It is however an invigorating read

[Patrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Written in 1965, this book suffers from when it was written. It is very generous to Cortes, skirting around the shady things he did. In the same breath it praises the Native American tribes and calls them barbarians. It is very much propaganda.

While one can learn the general outline of events of Cortes' conquests, it will be a very skewed version of events that only shows Cortes in the best light. I do not recommend this book at all.

[Slim Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating story and this book is a page turner but as others have mentioned it seems to leave some details out such as the effects of European diseases on the native Americans. It makes me want to learn more about this history.

[Achileas Labrou · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book about Cortes and the last period of the Aztec empire. The book is impartial and describes the facts.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dot point level history but eye opening nonetheless. 3.5*

[Ellen McNerney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat disappointing, not much new info. How could so few stand against so many I guess we will never know.