History of the Conquest of Mexico

Written by W.H. Prescott

Narrated by Kerry Shale

In 1519, Hernando Cortés arrived in Mexico to investigate stories of a wealthy empire. What he encountered was beyond his wildest dreams – an advanced civilisation with complex artistic, political and religious systems (involving extensive human sacrifice) and replete with gold. This was the Aztec empire, headed by the aloof emperor, Montezuma. With just a handful of men, Cortés achieved the impossible, crushing the Aztecs and their allies, and effectively annexing the whole territory for Spain. One of the most extraordinary stories of conquest in mankind’s history, it is told here in the classic account by the American historian W. H. Prescott.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks
• Release date: Feb 1, 2003
• ISBN: 9789629549947

Reviews for History of the Conquest of Mexico

[hippietrail · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very well researched, very interesting, very difficult to find used. I spent several months looking for it on two continents. The fact that it was written 150 years ago means the language is quite nice to read, with many unusual terms. Unfortunately, it also provides a few politically incorrect shocks though it is obvious the writer was very fair and open-minded by the standards of his time.

[Alexander Anderson · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Reasonable recounting and summary of The Conquest.

At the time of publication, the reader was aware which side was the right side and the usual criticisms and caveats will apply: enlightened Christian warriors subjugating the barbarian hordes and all that.

Some inkling of what it the two year struggle to subjugate a whole race must have been like and the amount and nature of the bloody work that went with it.

Leaves one with the palpable hungering for someone to come along and do this point in history and its aftermath the justice it deserves.

[longhorndaniel · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Read this back in college when i was in the ROTC and actually really enjoyed the history of it

[dinadansfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An Artifact from 1843, Mr. Prescott's book continues to be reprinted though mostly in display editions. My favourite replacement for this book is the more recent account by Hugh Thomas, but Prescott's book has its charms. The ethnological component is of course greatly out of date, but the more detailed sections of the conflict's details have some interest. A word about style: William Hickling Prescott was greatly influenced by Gibbon's weighty prose, and by the English writer's penchant for snide footnotes. But, if you are interested in a book written by an American which seems to have influenced at least the political rhetoric of the incomplete replacement of the First Nations of America, and steeped in anti-Catholic attitude, pleasant times can be spent with Prescott's opus. Epigramry is often sought for, and some of the product is decent.There is a considerable and useful part of the book dedicated to biographies of Prescott's sources,

[Lorenso de Mendosa-Sumbón · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a great account of the conquest of Mexico! Great book.