The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo is a captivating firsthand account of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. Written in a straightforward and detailed style, the book provides a vivid portrayal of the brutal battles, alliances, and betrayals that characterized this tumultuous period. Del Castillo's narrative style, filled with personal observations and dramatic events, offers readers a rare glimpse into the mind of a conquistador. This work is a valuable primary source for historians studying the conquest of Mexico in the 16th century. Bernal Diaz del Castillo, a soldier who participated in the conquest of Mexico under Hernan Cortes, wrote his memoirs decades after the events took place. His firsthand experience as a foot soldier gives his account a unique perspective and insights into the motivations and actions of the conquistadors. Del Castillo's detailed recollections provide valuable historical insights into the cultural clash between the Spanish and indigenous peoples of the New World. I highly recommend The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo to readers interested in history, conquest narratives, and firsthand accounts of the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Del Castillo's vivid storytelling and intimate knowledge of the events make this book a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this pivotal period in world history.

The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo (Volume 2); Written by Himself Containing a True and Full Account of the Discovery and Conquest of Mexico and New Spain., has been considered important throughout human history. In an effort to ensure that this work is never lost, we have taken steps to secure its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for both current and future generations. This complete book has been retyped, redesigned, and reformatted. Since these books are not scans of the authors' original publications, the text is readable and clear.

The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo (Volume 1); Written by Himself Containing a True and Full Account of the Discovery and Conquest of Mexico and New Spain., has been considered important throughout human history. In an effort to ensure that this work is never lost, we have taken steps to secure its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for both current and future generations. This complete book has been retyped, redesigned, and reformatted. Since these books are not scans of the authors' original publications, the text is readable and clear.

I, Bernal Diaz del Castillo, regidor of the town of Santiago, in Guatimala, author of this very true and faithful history, have now finished it, in order that it may be published to the world. It treats of the discovery and total conquest of New Spain; and how the great city of Mexico and several other towns were taken, up to the time when peace was concluded with the whole country; also of the founding of many Spanish cities and towns, by which we, as we were in duty bound, extended the dominion of our sovereign. In this history will be found many curious facts worthy of notice. It likewise points out the errors and blunders contained in a work written by Francisco de Gomara, who not only commits many errors himself in what he writes about New Spain, but he has also been the means of leading those two famous historians astray who followed his account, namely, Dr. Illescas and the bishop Paulo Jovio. What I have written in this book I declare and affirm to be strictly true. I myself was present at every battle and hostile encounter. Indeed, these are not old tales or romances of the seventh century; for, if I may so say, it happened but yesterday what is contained in my history. I relate how, where, and in what manner these things took place; as an accredited eyewitness of this I may mention our very spirited and valorous captain Don Hernando Cortes, marquis del Valle Oaxaca, who wrote an account of these occurrences from Mexico to his imperial majesty Don Carlos the Fifth, of glorious memory; and likewise the corresponding account of the viceroy Don Antonio de Mendoza. But, besides this, you have only to read my history and you see it is true. I have now completed it this 26th day of February, 1568, from my day-book and memory, in this very loyal city of Guatimala, the seat of the royal court of audience. I also think of mentioning some other circumstances which are for the most part unknown to the public. I must beg of the printers not to take away from, nor add one single syllable to, the following narrative, etc.

A personal account of the discovery and conquest of Mexico and New Spain.

"The History of the Conquest of New Spain is a subject in which great interest is felt at the present day, and the English public will hail these memoirs, which contain the only true and complete account of that important transaction. "The author of this original and charming production, to which he justly gives the title of 'The True History of the Conquest of New Spain,' was himself one of the Conquistadores; one who not only witnessed the transactions which he relates, but who also performed a glorious part in them; a soldier who, for impartiality and veracity, perhaps never had his equal. His account is acknowledged to be the only one on which we can place reliance, and it has been the magazine from which the most eloquent of the Spanish writers on the same subject, as well as those of other countries, have borrowed their best materials. Some historians have even transcribed whole pages, but have not had sufficient honesty to acknowledge it. "The author, while living, was never rewarded for the great services he had rendered his country, and it is remarkable that, after his death, his very memoirs were pillaged by court historians, to raise a literary monument to themselves." -from Translator's Preface "Next to the Expedition of Cyrus and the Commentaries of Caesar, we have met with no works of a kindred nature which will be read with more intense interest than the volumes before us." -Times "If we were asked to put our hand on the most thoroughly interesting works that the present season has produced, we should certainly include Mr. Lockhart's excellent translation, and we emphatically recommend it as a rich and moral fund of entertainment and information." -Morning Post "We could readily occupy many of our columns with extracts to delight our friends, but their very abundance startles us, and we would rather sat at once that the whole account is of such unmixed attraction - carries you on with such variety and effect of action - paints the inhabitants of the New World and their invaders in such striking colors, possesses so high a historical value, and is so rich in every kind of information belonging to the circumstances, the country, and the epoch, that the best review of it would be a reprint of the whole, with notes of admiration." -Literary Gazette "We are happy to receive from Mr. Lockhart's hands an excellent translation of these memoirs." -Britannia "The author was a brave old soldado, the companion in arms of Cortes, in the conquest of New Spain, who, in old age and retirement, amused himself with writing the history of the 119 battles in which he had been engaged, and the memorable events he had witnessed." -Tait's Edinburgh Magazine "The testimony of these qualities, and of his achievements, are now given to the public by Mr. Lockhart in an English version. The original Spanish manuscript remained unpublished for upwards of sixty years after the death of Diaz, when a monk of the Order of Mercy, or of the Redemption of Captives, Alonzo Remon, drew it from oblivion....An achievement of great merit. Mr. Lockhart, by his translation of this rare old Spanish writer, will afford to all who love original narratives by eye-witnesses high and rational gratification. The book deserves a place in every well-chosen library." -The Gentleman's Magazine

Conquistador Voices, a two-volume work by Kevin H. Siepel, is intended for the general reader. The book presents the history of the Spanish Conquest of the Americas principally through the voices of those who participated in that signal event. Its goal is to make this story engaging by substantial use of first-person narrative--much of it newly translated from Spanish and Italian sources.The overall story is told in five parts, each part featuring a principal Conquest actor--an explorer or conquistador. Volume I is devoted to the four voyages of Christopher Columbus, and to the subsequent conquest of Mexico by Hernan Cortes.Volume I opens with a scene-setting narrative and introduction to Columbus, a man with an unshakable belief in an idea and a dogged determination to carry out that idea. Columbus's landing and initial encounter with the peoples of the Americas is covered, as is his worsening relationship with the colonists, his arrest and removal to Spain, his rehabilitation, and his subsequent year-long, mutiny-ridden isolation on a Jamaican beach. Equally well covered are the many aspects of his complex personality.The second part of volume I covers the conquest of Mexico and the Aztecs by Hernan Cortes. We are taken on the early exploratory voyages to the Mexican coast, eventually to land there with Cortes and his not-totally-loyal troops. We see Cortes take charge of his men, gather initially-hostile Indian warriors to his cause, and move this large force inexorably toward the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan. We witness Cortes's bold seizure of the Aztec king Montezuma, the Spaniards' flight from the capital on the noche triste, Cortes's determination to hold this land against attacking Spaniards, and his final razing of the city with the slaughter of most of its inhabitants.An effort has been made throughout Conquistador Voices to avoid moralizing on these events, but to report them--with all due filtering of wheat from chaff--as we have been told that they occurred. Nine maps accompany the text, along with index, copious footnotes, and brief bibliography.