The True History of The Conquest of New Spain

Bernal Diaz's True History of the Conquest of New Spain, the chronicle of an 'ordinary' soldier in Hernando Cortes's army, is the only complete account (other than Cortes's own) that we have of the Spanish conquest of ancient Mexico. Although it is neither so 'true' nor so unassumingly direct as its author would have us believe, it is unmistakably the voice of the often unruly, undisciplined body of untrained freebooters who, in less than three years, succeeded against all apparent odds, in bringing down the once mighty ‘Aztec Empire.’ It makes for consistently fascinating reading, and Ted Humphrey and Janet Burke have provided the best, and the most engaging, translation ever to have appeared in English. --Anthony Pagden, UCLA

Readers interested in the early period of Spanish American history will welcome the publication of this new abridged edition of the classic account by Bernal Diaz del Castillo, True History of the Conquest of New Spain. An observer of and participant in the momentous conquest of central Mexico by the Spaniards and their indigenous allies, Bernal Diaz wrote his chronicle many decades later, at least partially in response to the claims and biases of other writers. This excellent and highly readable translation by Janet Burke and Ted Humphrey remains faithful to the straightforward and unadorned prose that Díaz uses to describe the events as well as his understanding of their significance. The useful introduction, notes and epilogue further enhance the volume's accessibility. This edition is highly recommended for both students and a more general audience. --Ida Altman, University of Florida

A reliable modern translation of one of the great historical narratives. While faithful to the original text, [Humphrey and Burke's] translation takes full advantage of the best scholarship of the last fifty years, providing useful context and interpretation for the non-specialist. The result is a highly readable, engaging book that will prove a valuable teaching tool in a variety of classroom settings. --Lyman Johnson, University of North Carolina, Charlotte