The Narrative of Cabeza de Vaca

By: Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca

Narrated by: Claton Butcher

Length: 5 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

This edition of Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca's Relación offers readers Rolena Adorno and Patrick Charles Pautz's celebrated translation of Cabeza de Vaca's account of the 1527 Pánfilo de Narváez expedition to North America. The dramatic narrative tells the story of some of the first Europeans and the first-known African to encounter the North American wilderness and its Native inhabitants. It is a fascinating tale of survival against the highest odds, and it highlights Native Americans and their interactions with the newcomers in a manner seldom seen in writings of the period. In this English-language edition, reproduced from their award-winning three-volume set, Adorno and Pautz supplement the engrossing account with a general introduction that orients the reader to Cabeza de Vaca's world. They also provide explanatory notes, which resolve many of the narrative's most perplexing questions. This highly readable translation fires the imagination and illuminates the enduring appeal of Cabeza de Vaca's experience for a modern audience.

©1999, 2003 University of Nebraska Press (P)2014 Redwood Audiobooks

A Wonderful Narrative

The introduction to this narrative is a little over an hour in length however, it is greatly insightful. I thought I was getting lost in names, dates, and locations but alas, I remembered that it was just the intro. I especially liked the beginning quote from Thomas Jefferson from the year 1787 stating that citizens of the new U.S. should study Spanish because the ancient part of American history is written chiefly in Spanish. I couldn’t agree more.

I really enjoy the publications by University Press. They are all informative and great listens. This one is especially good as it’s a narrative. I truly loved listening to the translation of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca’s journey to the new United States. Knowing this is a first rate accounting of what he saw and documented in Spanish is absolutely fascinating. Being a native Texan, this story really resonated with me.

The narrative of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca is a captivating story and real-life account of the 1527 Pánfilo de Narváez expedition, with no knowledge of navigation. For nine years he walked lost and naked. I enjoyed the stories of what it was like at that time in America when the expedition encountered the settlers, Native Americans, and African-Americans.

About the narrator: Claton Butcher did a phenomenal job with this audiobook. He kept the story moving forward and took great command of this work. His Spanish is impeccable and music to my ears as I love the language. I’ve grown spoiled listening to Claton Butcher narrate these books. He has a great voice.

Audiobook gifted in exchange for review.

3 people found this helpful

Very Good

I loved this edition of The Narrative of Cabeza de Vaca. The introduction was long but went into detail about the locations and time frames the events took place in. They treated the work as one man's testimony, which it is, so I was very happy with it. While I know the historocity of this work is often debated, I have found nothing in it that differs from the well known nature of the pre-Columbian America's. I for one am inclined to believe this testimony, even the fantastic portions since those are the only possible ways they could have survived their encounters. I definitely recommend this book.