The True History of the Conquest of New Spain [Paperback]

An eyewitness account of the conquest of Mexico (15191522); in this volume foot soldier D?az joins Cort?s' army.The journals of the foot soldier Bernal D?az (14921584) are the fullest surviving eyewitness account of the Mexican conquest led by Hern?n Cort?s. In this first volume, D?az recounts his first expeditions to the Yucat?n coast and the beginning of his service in Cort?s army.The journals of the foot soldier Bernal D?az (14921584) are the fullest surviving eyewitness account of the Mexican conquest led by Hern?n Cort?s. In this first volume, D?az recounts his first expeditions to the Yucat?n coast and the beginning of his service in Cort?s army.Bernal D?az del Castillo (14921584) was a foot soldier in the army of Mexico's conqueror Hern?n Cort?s, and participated in the campaigns that led to the fall of the Aztec empire in 1521. This 1928 translation of his journals derives from the 1904 edition by the Mexican historian Genaro Garc?a - the first edition based on the original manuscript. Written as a corrective to accounts that overemphasised Cort?s' exploits, D?az's epic focuses on the experiences of the common soldier. The most complete contemporary chronicle of the Mexican conquest, this important historical document is also a captivating adventure narrative that combines factual accuracy with many dramatic anecdotes. Volume 1, in which D?az recounts his first two expeditions to the Yucat?n coast and the beginning of his service in Cort?s' army, contains chapters 181 and includes part of Garc?a's 1904 introduction to his edition.Extracts from Introduction Se?or Don Genaro Garc?a; Bernal D?az del Castillo - his life; Introduction by the translator; Note on spelling, etc.; Itinerary; Preface by the author; Book I. The Discovery: 1. The beginning of the story; 2. How we discovered the province of Yutacan; 3. How we coasted along towards the west; 4. Concerning the attack made on us; 5. How we agreed to return to the Island of Cuba; 6. How twenty of us slc4