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Title: Castaways: The Narrative of Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca (Latin American Literature and Culture, No 10) by Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca ISBN: 0-520-07063-1 Publisher: University of California Press Pub. Date: 01 August, 1993 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (3 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Valuable source of information about Texas history
Comment: I read this book for a Spanish literature course as an example of early Spanish writing in America. This story has value in that it provides information on the background of early Spanish exploration, the true motivations and intentions of the explorers (or conquistadors), and their encounters with the native people on the Texas and Florida coasts.
It is interesting to read about Texas as a foreign land as seen through the eyes of the author because I grew up there. It was fascinating to realize the adventures and drama that occured so many hundreds of years ago when two cultures collided and no one was positive who would dominate. We know today who did, but at that time, the master (conquistador) did become the slave (of the natives) for seven years. In this way, a valuable account of tribal life and culture is written first-hand, but many years after the events took place.
One thing I noticed is that Cabeza de Vaca still maintains a sense of superiority in that he never refers to any of the native people by their names in the book. It may be that he forgot the names over time. Or, he never considered it of importance because the natives were "barbarians" and intellectually inferior in his eyes. I'm also not sure that the author reveals the full truth of his role in the events that took place once he met up with the other conquistadors in Texas after his enslavement. He's a little too much the hero. While Cabeza de Vaca is somewhat sympathetic towards the native people, one feels that Cabeza de Vaca still looks upon the Europeans as explorers and evangelists, while those being explored and evangelized saw the Europeans as conquerors and gold-diggers. But we don't have their account.
Other than this, the book is very informative and filled with detailed information on geography and culture. I also purchased the Spanish version and so realized that the English translation is excellent.
Rating: 4
Summary: Absolutely basic to anyone living in Texas and the Southwest
Comment: To read so much live detail about the way of life of the original inhabitants of parts of Texas and the Southwest is to have one's very conceptions about these places changed. It's an amazing, short read and the editor helps with notes in critical places. I think this is basic reading for anyone even part-way interested in the history of Texas and neighboring states. Cabeza de Vaca's account covers hair-raising events which occurred in the 1530s right here on Galveston Island, so it gives a longer sense of post-Columbian history than one usually gets as a lay reader of Texas and Southwest history. I too don't know why more folks aren't talking about this book. I'm buying copies to give away.
Rating: 3
Summary: Tale by de Vaca himself of his trials in America
Comment: Hard to follow at times, you get confused as to how many people are actually following him! It is sometimes slow reading. Yet, the informantion in the book is good.
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