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Amazon.co.uk Review
Could a 16th-century army of 160 Spaniards subjugate a Native American empire of 5-10 million people? Conquistadors, recounting "tales of heroism and endurance, but also of immeasurable greed and staggering brutality", explains how the "lure of gold", the attributes of individual leaders and the hand of fate made this possible.
The book tells of alien cultures meeting for the first time; of Cortes conquering Mexico, Francisco Pizarro's clash with the Incas, the search for El Dorado, and Cabeza de Vaca's years spent peacefully amongst Native Americans. Tying in with a BBC television series in which Michael Wood follows in the footsteps of these explorers, this copiously illustrated and attractively presented book incorporates glimpses of his own journeys. A thought-provoking, balanced and not excessively gory account, Conquistadors reveals how Europeans got bank vaults of gold, potatoes on their dinner tables and lupins in their gardens, while the Native Americans suffered "devastating cultural loss" and gained ravaging diseases. Feeling that "blame or regret are pointless", Wood's focus is on understanding the events and explaining how the world still lives in the conquest's wake. Debate on the morality of the conquest and on what it means to be human occurred in the 16th century and questions on the treatment of traditional cultures, the exploitation of the natural world and globalisation remain as living legacies of the Conquistadors. --Karen Tiley --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
Michael Wood's bestselling exploration of the Spanish conquest of South America, available for the first time in paperback
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book presents a vivid and enthralling description of the conquest of South and Central America, focusing on four of the key stories. Wood's writing is always clear and his lyrical descriptions really bring the scene alive. The book is lavishly illustrated and the text is frequently interspersed with quotations from the memoirs of the conquistadors and, more interestingly, the writings of the peoples they conquered. The book is rounded off by a discussion of the issue of human rights in relation to the conquest. "Conquistadors" will leave you thirsting to find out more, and I am grateful to the author for providing lots of suggestions for further reading, which I am just beginning to explore. Highly recommended reading for anyone with an interest in South American culture, or the history of the world in general.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
When I ordered this book I was expecting a standard paperback - but no, this book is nothing of the sort. It's much larger and also contains excellent photographs, drawings and graphical information.
The 16th century Spanish conquest of the Americas had huge implications for global developments, and, along with the British and the French, the Spanish can most certainly lay claim to be among the most influential nations on earth through Empire.
The conquistadors overcame massive odds and (rightly or wrongly) succeeded in colonisation. Such a massive topic cannot of course be adequately covered in a single book; however Michael Wood does an excellent job of highlighting the salient points and developments for the reader.
History is written by the victors, but, in many respects this book also pays homage to the great civilisations which were eclipsed by Spanish aggrandisement - such as the Incas and the Aztecs.
Overall, this book would grace the bookshelf of anyone with an interest in the Americas, Spanish history, Hispanic studies, or even history in general.
The 16th century Spanish conquest of the Americas had huge implications for global developments, and, along with the British and the French, the Spanish can most certainly lay claim to be among the most influential nations on earth through Empire.
The conquistadors overcame massive odds and (rightly or wrongly) succeeded in colonisation. Such a massive topic cannot of course be adequately covered in a single book; however Michael Wood does an excellent job of highlighting the salient points and developments for the reader.
History is written by the victors, but, in many respects this book also pays homage to the great civilisations which were eclipsed by Spanish aggrandisement - such as the Incas and the Aztecs.
Overall, this book would grace the bookshelf of anyone with an interest in the Americas, Spanish history, Hispanic studies, or even history in general.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio Cassette
While Wood describes the Incas as an illiterate society (despite their many other achievements), he has clearly had access to some form of documentation which allow him throughout this series to present the indigenous people's own reaction to the Spanish invaders. His ability to explore the emotional as well as historic aspect to the conquests - of bewilderment, extraordinary courage, horror and an utter lack of compassion - give an absorbing depth to his account.
My only criticism is more of a frustration that he has not produced a sequel to answer the questions that this audiobook raises. What of the Portuguese and the collonisation of Brazil? Of the conflicts between the Portuguese and the Spanish?
Perhaps the greatest history books leave you thirsty to know more, though. This once certainly achieves that. Hugely recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
absorbing and stimulating
This an excellent introduction to the Spanish conquest of Latin America, which resulted in the almost total destruction of the indigenous civilisations of Incas and Aztecs and the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by markr
The other
A tragic tale of the destruction of the ancient kingdoms of Aztecs and Incas. A masterful narrative of greed,lust and uncivilised behaviour of the Spanish Conquistadors. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Gia
Good History, Needed To Be Longer
Hard not to give this book five stars, to be honest. It's an easily accessible read that details the fall of the Aztecs, the Incas, the search for Eldorado (that ended up being a... Read more
Published on 22 May 2010 by Filthy Raider
mostly excellent
When wood is dicussing the conquest of the Aztec or Inca empires by a handful of ruthless psychopaths then this book is a riveting read. Read more
Published on 24 Sep 2009 by Chris Chamberlain
A great introduction to a period in time which shaped our world
The time of the Conquistadors not only re-shaped European politics in it's own time, but also has had an enormous effect on the world of today. Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2008 by M. Mallia
Brilliantly Written
This is the companion title to Michael Wood's brilliant but sadly much-ignored television series on the Conquistadors. Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2008 by D. Evans
More than just about Cortes & Pizarro
As you read this book, you can imagine it being Michael Wood's speaking script for his TV program.
As well as the stories you would expect about Cortes & Pizarro, I was... Read more
Published on 29 July 2004 by Keith Appleyard
A great book
I have always been interested in the natives of mexico and their conquest by the spanish .This book has further fascinated my interest. Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2001
we come in peace...shoot to kill
'We come in peace...shoot to kill' appears to be the message throughout most of this book. Michael Wood's book contains stories to make a Star Trek scriptwriter extremely jealous... Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2000
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