Conquistador

Hernan Cortes, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs

By: Buddy Levy

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

It was a moment unique in human history: the face-to-face meeting between two men from civilizations a world apart.

In 1519 Hernán Cortés arrived on the shores of Mexico, determined not only to expand the Spanish empire but to convert the natives to Catholicism and carry off a fortune in gold. That he saw nothing paradoxical in his intentions is one of the most remarkable and tragic aspects of this unforgettable story.

In Tenochtitlán, Cortés met his Aztec counterpart, Montezuma: king, divinity, and commander of the most powerful military in the Americas. Yet in less than two years, Cortés defeated the entire Aztec nation in one of the most astounding battles ever waged.

The story of a lost kingdom, a relentless conqueror, and a doomed warrior, Conquistador is history at its most riveting.

©2008 Buddy Levy (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Lively account of the Spanish conquest of Mexico." ( Kirkus)
"Drawing heavily on both Spanish and Aztec sources...Levy gives a straightforward telling of the entire story.... Well-written.... Highly recommended." ( Library Journal)

This will give you the rest of the story.

I chose this book because I love history and knew NOTHING about Cortez except some vague high school history or Hollywood account of greedy Spaniards unnecessarily wiping out the poor, innocent Aztecs . Um. Not the whole story. Granted, the Aztecs were minding their own business when Cortez arrived - having built the largest civilization on the planet. Granted, there was the whole gold and greed thing, but there was also disgust for human sacrifice and roasted babies. Which was worse? This book does a great job of explaining how the whole conquering thing went down. The book was really good and the narrator did a good job. Other reviewers commented on his silly Spanish accent - and I agree. But, it made me snort/laugh every time I heard it - so that's not so bad, is it? I agree with another reviewer - I would have liked to have seen the wonders that Cortez saw.

Awe inspiring

Unbelievable story. Barbaric. Entertaining. Don’t let the the horrific Spanish accent throw you. Worth the credit. Visiting Mexico City in a few weeks now I’ll recognize the ghosts in the stones.

amazing amazing amazing

I wish this book was longer..... it's such a great story that needs to be told

Brutal and graphic but engaging

Of all the Spanish conquistadores, Hernán Cortés is considered the greatest by far. He landed on the coast of what is now Mexico in 1519 to do what others had tried and failed to do twice before, to conquer, convert, and get rich. He was only 34 and with no prior experience leading an expedition, but in two years he had conquered an empire of around 15 million people now known as the Aztecs, but known then as the Mexicas. The capital city of Tenochtitlán, a city that was twice as large as London at that time and far larger than any city in Spain. It had been seen as practically unconquerable, being built on a series of islands, some manmade, near one edge of a vast salt lake. The city was connected to the shore by multiple causeways that included several bridges that were removable in case of attack. Their engineering prowess was impressive. The lake was fed by groundwater springs and melting snow from the surrounding mountains, so the Aztecs had dammed off a part of the lake to catch the freshwater and keep it separate from the saltwater of the rest of the lake. And yet, they had no wheeled vehicles or animals to draw them. 

Cortés conquered them partly through some good luck, but also with a personality that was driven to succeed and willing to take risks and creative and daring strategy. On landing in Mexico, he scuttled his ships so that his soldiers would not be able to give up. He used impressive cavalry displays (the natives had never seen horses before) and the magic and thunder of cannons to impress the first tribes he met, some of whom were tributaries of the empire, and others who were enemies. He battled those who would not bargain for peace and made allies of those who were willing to do so, or whom he had conquered. But, he was also brutal and cruel. When he reached Tenochtitlán, he was in awe of its splendor and wealth. 

The story of how he was able to conquer the city and kill the god-emperor Montezuma is told in a form that almost makes it seem like a novel. The description of the city, the battles, the intrigue, was captivating. The cruelty, not just of Cortés, but also the Aztecs, was graphic and gruesome. The Aztec religion required continual human sacrifices, which was part of the tribute that surrounding tribes had to pay. There were boys who were specifically raised to become sacrifices where their heart was cut out while still alive to be offered to the gods. They purposely tried not to kill their enemy in battle, because they wanted to bring them back to their temple alive to be sacrificed to the gods, and eaten by the warriors. 

It is part of the sad history of conquest in the Americas, and even sadder because much of it was done in the name of the Catholic Church. At the same time, it’s also hard to cheer for a civilization so cruel and barbaric as the Aztecs. But, it is history and this book takes a part of it and makes it at least interesting to read. Unfortunately, the narrator's voice when quoting Cortés was grating.

Interesting book, GOOD narrator

The book is interesting and describing Cortez's journey through mexico, his meetings with Monte Zuma and the events that rolled since then. I found the book fascinating and explanatory, and is told in a 'light' way that makes it easy to read/hear.

I think the narrator is excellent. I dont understand many other critics about the narrator immitating the spanish dialects. First of all, his English is excellent and pleasent, you must give him credit for that. I heard many terrible narrators that makes you stop want to listen because of their voice, being the pitch, the monotonic voice, or whatever else unpleasant to hear. This one was excellent!
Now, for the spanish immitation... that is actually funny. Yes, it is far from the exact, ofcourse Cortez did not speak in English with spanish dialect to his captains, but spoke spanish. But it give a whole new dimension to the people that hear:
1. It breaks the 'story telling' pattern of reading
2. It emphesizes when Cortez or his captains spoke, so it makes it easier to follow,
3. It is funny, not bad!

Go for the book! the narrator is excellent!

Unbelievable

Outstanding. What a story. There will never be another story like this again unless Elon Musk discovers a city on Mars.

An Awesome Story Well Told

History is as good as any fictional novel if it is well researched and written. This book is, very glad I got it.

Randy

One of the best books I have ever owned!! One of the few history books far far from boring!

a very engaging listen.

I learned a lot. It's well laid out making it easy to listen to.

History I have never heard.

Every moment was a surprise with compelling detail and a suspense that made me listen closely.