Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: The Broken Spears : The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico by Miguel Leon-Portillo ISBN: 0-8070-5501-8 Publisher: Beacon Press Pub. Date: 04 May, 1992 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.84 (19 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: From the other side
Comment: First a cautionary note: I don't believe in "good" or "bad" in history. Things happen because of the complex interrelations between many factors, and coincidence (yes, it plays a role). So the worst way to read this book is from a sentimental point of view: mean Spaniards conquest and kill good Indians. Just imagine what would have happened if the human-sacrifice-prone Aztecs had conquered Spain (but then again, they had no ships to cross the Ocean).
Nevertheless, this is a crucial book, because it tells the story of the Conquest from the view of the conquered. That is needed to fully understand this vital historical process. The book is a selection of indigenous stories telling the event. One can perceive the utter terror and misery brought upon by the destruction of the Indian societies. The fear, the superstitions and the desolation of the Indians during and after the total destruction of their world. Leon Portilla has done a much-needed effort here. He deserves praise for it, and the book deserves to be read.
Rating: 5
Summary: Essential Reading when Studying the Conquest
Comment: This is an excellent primary source of information written fron the Aztecs viewpoint. Bernal Diaz's book is an excellent companion study to compare the different perspectives of both primary parties involved. The illustrations and the narrative are very elementary, an easy read with simple drawings to compliment the text. The viewpoint, which is the Aztecs is interesting and different from what you might suppose. If you are intersted in Pre-Columbian culture in Mexico this is a fundamental book covering the Conquest of Mexico. For a balanced view read this along with Bernal Diaz's book to get a complete picture from participants of that fateful time in history when the Old World collided with the New World to create a new culture. A must have book for anyone into Mexico and it's roots.
Rating: 5
Summary: Informative book
Comment: "The Broken Spears" is a very informative book and gives readers an insight on the Mexican/Aztec point of view of the conquest of Mexico by the Spanish.
The introduction is very helpful so don't skip it like I tried to! Some of the text does get boring at times but if you're reading this book for a college class keep your eyes open and notebook handy, you'll need it to keep places and names straight.
For all those below who hated the book, maybe you're right, but did you understand it and the point for the writting of this book?
 |
Title: Conquest of New Spain by Bernal Diaz, J. M. Cohen, Bernal Diaz Del Castillo ISBN: 0140441239 Publisher: Viking Press Pub. Date: August, 1963 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
 |
Title: The Discovery and Conquest of Mexico 1517-1521 by Bernal Diaz Del Castillo, A. P. Maudslay, Marshall Lee ISBN: 0306806975 Publisher: DaCapo Press Pub. Date: April, 1996 List Price(USD): $18.50 |
 |
Title: Letters from Mexico by Hernan Cortes, Anthony Pagden, J. H. Elliott ISBN: 0300037996 Publisher: Yale Univ Pr Pub. Date: January, 1987 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
 |
Title: Aztec Thought and Culture: A Study of the Ancient Nahuatl Mind (Civilization of the American Indian Series, Vol 67) by Miguel Leon-Portilla, Miguel Lebon Portilla, Jack Emory Davis ISBN: 0806122951 Publisher: Univ of Oklahoma Pr (Trd) Pub. Date: September, 1990 List Price(USD): $16.15 |
 |
Title: Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies by Bartolome De Las Casas, Bartolome De Las Casas, Bartolome De Las Casas, Nigel Griffin ISBN: 0140445625 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 08 September, 1999 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
