The Account: Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca’s Relación: An Annotated Translation by Martin A. Favata and José B. Fernández

by Martin A. Favata, José B. Fernández (Editor)

The Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca’s Relación, edited and translated by José Fernández and Martin Favata, is a new and improved translation of Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca’s chronicle of his amazing journey across a large portion of what is now the United States. The Account is one of the earliest chronicles of Spanish penetration into North America. His journey (1528-1536) of hardship and misfortune is one of the most remarkable in the history of the New World and contains many first descriptions of the lands and their inhabitants. The Account, first published in Zamora, Spain, in 1542, is of inestimable value for students of history and literature, ethnographers, anthropologists and the general reader. It is also one of the most remarkable literary documents for the style, clarity and sense of drama in the narrator’s extraordinary effort to comprehend a totally new and marvelous world.

Genres: History

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2017

Reviews

[Maria Dembouski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a history nerd and loved this book! I chose it as the book to do a presentation on but can whole-heartedly admit that I did not cheat/look at any summaries. I read the entire book and was super interested throughout the true detailing of Alvar Nunez's (I don't know how to put tildes and such on this computer haha) exploration of the New World and the trials and miracles that occurred. Even the beginning and end bits where it talked about the origins of his name and the betrayal that greeted him upon his return were just fascinating! Recommend to all history nerds!

[Kayrene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A treasure, for sure! This is a translation of Cabeza De Vaca's journals, when he traveled to America, back in the 16th century. In my part of the world, we are quite aware of him, as he landed on the Texas coast, and literally walked west, across the continent, to the Pacific.... mostly naked, and barefoot. So much detail about the early life here, the Indians, the "Christians", the lack of food and water, at times. Really good. 5 stars.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read!! I came to these from the Dustups videos by Shaun Overton on YouTube. He is a guy trying to create a desert forest in Texas. He mentioned this book and the accounts of rivers, cattle and native people 500 years ago.

[Nate Meshau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly a banger. CdV is a standup dude, which is a rarity for a colonist

[Jared Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for lovers of survival stories and Texas history. One of the most impressive feats of survival in recorded history. Cabeza de Vaca was stranded in 1500’s Texas for 6 years, and tells an informative narrative about the land and its people pre-contact. 10/10