CAPTAIN CORTES CONQUERS MEXICO

by William Johnson ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 26, 1960

Without posing the question of the rights or wrongs of the Spanish conquistadores, Mr. Johnson has presented the figure of Cortes, conqueror of Mexico, in as favorable a light as possible. From any angle, the conquest is a dramatic and exciting story and an event of vast significance. The story here starts with Cortes' disobedience to Velasquez and his hasty departure with his ships from Cuba; it goes on to the landing in Yucatan -- battles and conquest and the famous march; the relations with Montezuma- and his attempt to be fair- within the Spanish definition- to conquered; the setbacks as the Aztecs rallied; the inevitable brutalities and betrayals- as Spaniards turned against Spaniards and the faith of the Mexican rulers was sacrificed. And finally, Cortes the conqueror becoming Cortes the ruler. This is not a biography of Cortes. We leave him in a position of power. It is definitely the story of the Conquest of Mexico, told in story form.

Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1960

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Random House-World Landmark

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1960

Categories: NONFICTION