Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
I want to read the book!
All characters reduced
The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo - Complete Edition - cover

The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo - Complete Edition

Bernal Díaz del Castillo

Translator John Ingram Lockhart

Publisher: DigiCat

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

In "The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Díaz del Castillo," the author presents a vivid first-person account of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Written in a candid, straightforward style, Díaz del Castillo weaves together intricate details, personal anecdotes, and historical narratives, providing readers with an insider's perspective of significant events, including the fall of the Aztec Empire. His memoir is not merely a recounting of military exploits; it serves as both a historical document and a reflection on the ethical dilemmas faced by conquerors, situating it firmly within the genre of early colonial literature. The work is imbued with rich descriptions and offers a nuanced portrayal of indigenous cultures, thus enriching our understanding of the cultural exchanges and conflicts of the era. Bernal Díaz del Castillo was no ordinary soldier; he was a participant in the very events he chronicled. Born in Spain, he journeyed to the New World as a young man, becoming a member of Hernán Cortés's expedition. His experiences as a soldier, chronicler, and eventual advocate for indigenous justice reflect a complex relationship with the colonial enterprise that shaped both his life and his writing. Díaz's firsthand involvement with key figures and events provides crucial context, making his memoir invaluable for scholars and historians alike. This compelling memoir is essential reading for those interested in the Spanish conquest of the Americas and the historical impacts it had on indigenous populations. It appeals not only to history enthusiasts but also to readers curious about narrative forms that blend adventure with ethical reflection. Engage with Díaz del Castillo's rich tapestry of exploration and conquest, and experience the complexities of one of history's most transformative eras.
Available since: 05/17/2022.
Print length: 1101 pages.

Other books that might interest you

  • Ladies-in-Waiting - Women Who Served Anne Boleyn - cover

    Ladies-in-Waiting - Women Who...

    Sylvia Barbara Soberton

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    The aspects of Anne Boleyn's life and death are fiercely debated by historians, yet her ladies-in-waiting remain an understudied topic. Much emphasis is usually put on Anne's relationships with the men in her life: her suitors, her royal husband, her father and brother, and her putative lovers who were executed on May 17, 1536. By concentrating on a previously neglected area of Anne Boleyn's female household, this book seeks to identify the women who served Anne and investigate what roles ladies-in-waiting played in this Queen's household.
    Show book
  • Sun Tzu - The Art of War - cover

    Sun Tzu - The Art of War

    Sun Tzu

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Unlock the strategic brilliance of The Art of War by Sun Tzu, a timeless guide to mastering conflict and achieving success. 
 
This audiobook presents profound lessons on strategy, leadership, and decision-making that extend far beyond the battlefield. 
 
Whether you're navigating challenges in business, personal life, or competitive environments, Sun Tzu's teachings offer clarity and wisdom to help you triumph. 
 
This classic work remains an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the art of strategy and the path to victory.
    Show book
  • Art of Seduction - Learn About the Secrets in the Fine Art of Seduction and How to Woo the Girl of Your Dreams! - cover

    Art of Seduction - Learn About...

    M.R. Fleming

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Art of Seduction: Learn About the Secrets in the Fine Art of Seduction and How to Woo the Girl of Your Dreams! 
If you feel like you need a little help when it comes to women, don’t feel bad because you’re not alone. In the big old world of dating, it’s common knowledge that women run the playing the field, controlling situations, ending conversations and walking out with whoever they choose. Women say that they know whether or not they will sleep with a guy, within the first 10 seconds of meeting him. They also say that once they have made up their mind about him, they rarely change it. Mainly because the guy often proves them right. 
You certainly don’t want to strike out so early on and every single time. This is where this audiobook comes in and would be very helpful for you. You will learn about the fine art of seduction. You'll learn what to do - as well as what not to do - to impress her, attract her, and be on your way to seducing her. 
If you want to learn more, scroll up and click “add to cart” now!
    Show book
  • Osman I - Biography of the Founder of the Ottoman Dynasty - cover

    Osman I - Biography of the...

    Kelly Mass

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Osman I, also known as Osman Ghazi, was the founder of the Ottoman dynasty and the ruler of the Kayi tribe, a key figure in the creation of one of history's most influential empires. The state he established, originally called the Ottoman Beylik or Emirate, grew from a small Turkmen principality in the late thirteenth century into a global power, dominating much of Southeastern Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa for centuries. While the empire he founded lasted until the end of World War I, the man himself remains shrouded in mystery. 
Due to the scarcity of historical records from Osman’s lifetime, much of what is known about him is based on oral traditions and legends that developed long after his death. There are no known contemporary written sources from his reign, and the Ottomans themselves did not document his life until the fifteenth century, over a hundred years after he passed away. This gap in documentation has made it difficult for historians to separate fact from fiction, with some scholars even describing the period of Osman's life as a "black hole" of historical knowledge, unable to be reconstructed with certainty. 
The traditional accounts of Osman’s ancestry trace his lineage to the Oghuz Turks, specifically the Kay tribe. However, many historians believe that the stories surrounding his ancestry were fabricated later to legitimize the Ottoman dynasty’s rule. These narratives were likely developed as the dynasty sought to strengthen its claim to power and emphasize its noble heritage.
    Show book
  • Hooked - Art and Attachment - cover

    Hooked - Art and Attachment

    Rita Felski

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    How does a novel entice or enlist us? How does a song surprise or seduce us? Why do we bristle when a friend belittles a book we love, or fall into a funk when a favored TV series comes to an end? What characterizes the aesthetic experiences of feeling captivated by works of art? In Hooked, Rita Felski challenges the ethos of critical aloofness that is a part of modern intellectuals’ self-image. The result is sure to be as widely read as Felski’s book, The Limits of Critique. 
 
Wresting the language of affinity away from accusations of sticky sentiment and manipulative marketing, Felski argues that “being hooked” is as fundamental to the appreciation of high art as to the enjoyment of popular culture. Hooked zeroes in on three attachment devices that connect audiences to works of art: identification, attunement, and interpretation. Drawing on examples from literature, film, music, and painting—from Joni Mitchell to Matisse, from Thomas Bernhard to Thelma and Louise—Felski brings the language of attachment into the academy. Hooked returns us to the fundamentals of aesthetic experience, showing that the social meanings of artworks are generated not just by critics, but also by the responses of captivated audiences.
    Show book
  • The Psychology of Spies and Spying - cover

    The Psychology of Spies and Spying

    John Taylor, Adrian Furnham

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    The Psychology of Spies and Spying tells the story of the people involved in spying: the human sources (agents) who betray their country or organisation and the professional intelligence officers who manage the collection and reporting process. It provides a rigorous psychological analysis of the personality and motivation of individuals involved in spying.
This book shows the importance of developing trust between agents and handlers, between agencies and their government and ultimately the public. It shows how agent handlers, operating in environments of complete secrecy, need to manage dark side behaviours because agents are selected for their access to secrets, not for their qualities. It explains why motivation is rarely simple since it is invariably a combination of many issues.It explains how fiction writers are good at developing plots and the characterisation of spies, but few capture the motivation of agents well. Finally spy gadgets and techniques are also described in detail. Included are twelve agent case studies in which most were motivated by ideology, had significant misfortune in their youth and offered their services rather than being coerced into betrayal.
The Psychology of Spies and Spying promotes the view that in the world of intelligence, it is trust not betrayal which dominates the mindset.
    Show book