Conquistador

Starred review from May 15, 2008
The common perception of the Spanish conquest of Mexico is that a handful of men led by Hernán Cortés landed and, with the help of European technology, overcame the Aztec Empire. Levy (English, Washington State Univ.; "American Legend: The Real-Life Adventures of David Crockett") reminds us that it was a protracted struggle in which the Spaniards came very close to being wiped out. It was only Cortés's tactics and his ability to form alliances with other native peoples, who wished to be free of Aztec hegemony, that saved the Spaniards. Drawing heavily on both Spanish and Aztec sources, as well as major secondary works, Levy gives a straightforward telling of the entire story, stressing the military strategy, diplomatic initiatives, and personal relationship between Cortés and Aztec emperor Montezuma. For those seeking more detail, his notes provide copious references to William Prescott's monumental "The History of the Conquest of Mexico" (1843) and Hugh Thomas's authoritative and comprehensive "Conquest: Cortés, Montezuma and the Fall of Old Mexico", as well as to other works. This well-written book is a good starting point for those seeking to understand the conquest of Mexico. Highly recommended for both public and academic libraries.Stephen H. Peters, Northern Michigan Univ. Lib., Marquette

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2008
The saga of Cort's, Montezuma, and the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire has been chronicled repeatedly, and with justification, since it is one of the seminal events in world history. There is probably no new information on the conquest left to uncover, but it is a thrilling, moving, and tragic story well worth retelling. Levy is not a professional historian, but he is a fine writer who knows the material, and he is wise enough to allow the pure excitement and drama of the story to unfold naturally. At the center of the tale, of course, are the two protagonists. Cort's is viewed as an intriguing combination of ruthless ambition, religious piety, and surprising tenderness. Montezuma, also deeply religious, was less a man of action than Cort's, and his contemplative nature probably sealed his doom. As Levy illustrates, this was also an earthshaking clash of civilizations that is still working itself out five centuries later. This is a superb work of popular history, ideal for general readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)