Hernando Cortez

by John S.C. Abbott

The career of Hernando Cortez is one of the most wild and adventurous recorded in the annals of fact or fiction, and yet all the prominent events in his wondrous history are well authenticated. Jacob Abbott created the first fictional series for children, introduced many of the key types and techniques of series books, popularized the genre virtually single-handedly, and wrote some of the earliest American juveniles deserving of the term "children's literature." Born in Maine in 1803, Abbott graduated from Bowdoin College in 1820, and after graduation taught at Portland Academy -- where one of his pupils was Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1855

About the author

John Stevens Cabot Abbott (Andover Theological Seminary; Bowdoin College, 1825) was a historian, Congregationalist pastor, and pedagogical writer. With his brothers, including Gorham and Jacob Abbott, he was a co-founder of Abbott Collegiate Institute for Young Ladies in New York City.

Reviews

[Carol Bakker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that churned my insides. It battered and agitated me. From one viewpoint Hernán Cortés fought to abolish the repulsive human sacrifice and cannibalism of the Aztec. But his flaws, his inconsistencies, his forced conversions made me shudder.

The fanatic sincerity with which this deed was accomplished does not redeem it from the sublimity of absurdity. Faith, said these mailed theologians, saves the soul; and these pagans have now turned their idols to the living God. It is true that man is saved by faith, but it is that faith which works by love.

Abbott does not hesitate to excoriate Cortés.

History has no language too severe to condemn an action so utterly abominable. It is treason to virtue to speak mildly of atrocious crime.

I almost threw the book when I read that Cortés considered gunpowder as a means of grace. !!??!!??!!??

It would be easier if there were nothing to admire about the man. But his leadership, 'sagacity, persevering energy, and patient toil [are] almost unparalleled'.

[Rod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very entertaining book and despite its years, it has a very enjoyable narrative.
I recommend this book for a first approach to Hernan Cortez, or for a first view of the history of the conquest of the Mexica Empire. With that in mind, this is a solid work.
A major limitation of this book is that is too much Western perspective oriented; very often falls in poor and short sighted statements of the culture of Mexica Empire, particularly in regard to their customs and ideology. Eg: Cortés had a religious fervor, the Mexica were idolaters and semi-barbarian.
But even with these biases, inherent in a work produced in the nineteenth century, this is a book that will keep you reading the intense and adventurous life of the man who conquered the Mexica Empire

[Kaushik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great description of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Very good writing style and so much detail.