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Conquistadors and Aztecs

A History of the Fall of Tenochtitlan

Stefan Rinke author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc

Published:13th Jul '23

Should be back in stock very soon

Conquistadors and Aztecs cover

This book offers a detailed narrative of the conquest of Mexico, focusing on the fall of Tenochtitlan and the complexities of the events.

In Conquistadors and Aztecs, readers are taken on a journey through the tumultuous events surrounding the fall of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, during the Spanish conquest of Mexico. This account, timed for the 500th anniversary of this significant historical event, delves into the causes, progression, and repercussions of the conquest, incorporating diverse perspectives from Native groups, Black slaves, and the conquistadors themselves. The narrative is both engaging and informative, providing a comprehensive view of a pivotal moment in history.

The story begins with the arrival of Hernán Cortés and his flotilla on the Yucatán coast, where the official aim was exploration and the spread of Christianity. However, the underlying motives were clear: the pursuit of gold and the acquisition of slaves. The author highlights how the conquest was not solely the triumph of a few hundred Spaniards over a sophisticated civilization; rather, it was a complex interplay of alliances, betrayals, and the devastating impact of European diseases on the indigenous population.

Drawing from both Spanish and indigenous sources, Conquistadors and Aztecs presents a vivid portrayal of the individuals involved, their backgrounds, and the diplomacy that shaped the outcome of this conflict. The book captures the essence of the struggle faced by local warriors against the Aztec regime, offering insights into their desire for freedom from tribute payments. Written by a prominent historian of Latin America, this work provides a timely exploration of an empire's rise and the lasting consequences of its fall.

A riveting one-volume history of the 1519-21 Spanish Conquest of Mexico... Where the primary sources contradict one another (as they often do), Rinke explains and interprets the differences, instead of eliding complexity in favor of a contrived history. Although numerous historians have studied the downfall of the Aztec state, Rinke's monograph ranks among the best. VERDICT Enthusiastically recommended for students, scholars, and general readers seeking a thoughtful introduction to a complex and controversial historical moment. * Library Journal (starred review) *
Rinke's engaging new study is a significant contribution to the increasingly dynamic field of early Mexico's New Conquest History, adding much to the debate. * Matthew Restall, Author of Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest *
Stefan Rinke has written an accurate and well-documented retelling of the long known but ever-changing history of the conquest of Mexico. This book is one of the best recent historical narratives of the conquest written in any language, and a good introduction to the new and surprising interpretations of these events. * Federico Navarrete, Cambridge University *
Detailed and narrative, focusing on the military conquest and cultural changes in Mesoamerica around 1520...By including methodological debates, recent research problems, and a broad range of Spanish primary sources, Rinke has created a highly recommendable introduction for students and scholars as well as a broader public. * Fabian Fechner, The Americas *
Rinke's book... is brilliantly, even stirringly, written. He manages to present the characters as human beings, not just as actors populating contexts. * Ulf von Rauchhaupt, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung *
[Rinke] presents the motives, perspectives and backgrounds of the individual actors and clears up myths that are still entwined with the conquest of America. Rinke not only describes the conquests, but also explains who actually met there and what the starting situation was. * Sebastian Hollstein, Spektrum der Wissenschaft *
Rinke repeatedly points out the contingency of the process and thus reminds us that sometimes chance, topographical circumstances, or linguistic and cultural misunderstandings could be decisive. Overall, this richly detailed and highly readable book, which deals with an extremely exciting subject, should appeal to a wide audience and attract many readers. * Vitus Huber, Zeitschrift für Geschichtswissenschaft *
Conquistadors and Aztecs covers well-known episodes with freshness and acuity: Moctezuma's puzzling decision to allow Cortés's army to enter Tenochtitlan; the ominous sight (and stench) of bloodstained Mexica priests; Cortés's up-and-down fortunes; Moctezuma's capture and death; Alvarado's point-of-no-return massacre of unarmed Mexica nobility at the festival of Toxcatl; the bleak Spanish retreat ("La Noche Triste"); their determined siege and re-entry; and the decimating effect of smallpox on the native population. * Maxwell Carter, Wall Street Journal *
Historian Rinke revisits in this comprehensive and insightful chronicle the fall of Tenochtitlan and the Mexica (or Aztec) Empire in the early 16th century. Adding depth and nuance to historical accounts of a small band of conquistadors swiftly overcoming a massive empire through technological and tactical superiority, Rinke draws on Indigenous and Spanish sources to uncover a much more complex series of events...Rinke's prodigious research enables him to disentangle the biological, psychological, military, and sociocultural factors behind this much mythologized conquest. The result is a vital reconsideration of the history of the New World. * Publishers Weekly *
This book is a solid contribution to a topic that already has received significant interest. It recognizes the contribution of Indigenous peoples to the invasion and draws on some Indigenous sources while maintaining a generally European point of view. * John F. Schwaller, Hispanic American Historical Review *
Conquistadors and Aztecs relies on both written and pictorial sources written by European and Indigenous writers to provide a nuanced explanation for "the fall of Tenochtitlan."Conquistadors and Aztecs relies on both written and pictorial sources written by European and Indigenous writers to provide a nuanced explanation for "the fall of Tenochtitlan." * Carlos Macías Prieto, Early American Literature *

ISBN: 9780197552469

Dimensions: 241mm x 164mm x 24mm

Weight: 612g

328 pages