C. R. Boxer, English Historical Review
"The definitive edition [of the letters] in any language."


Carlos Fuentes, Guardian
"One of the most fascinating Machiavellian documents to come out of the Renaissance."


Helen Nader, Sixteenth Century Journal
"The first reliable edition of the most important Spanish text . . . draws on Pagden's own profound knowledge of Mesoamerican cultures."


Book Description
Hernán Cortés's Cartas de Relacíon, written over a seven-year period to Charles V of Spain, provide an extraordinary narrative account of the conquest of Mexico from the founding of the coastal town of Veracruz until Cortés's journey to Honduras in 1525. Pagden's English translation has been prepared from a close examination of the earliest surviving manuscript and of the first printed editions, and he also provides a new introduction offering a bold and innovative interpretation of the nature of the conquest and Cortes's involvement in it. J. H. Elliot's introductory essay explains Cortes's conflicts with the Crown and with Diego Velazquez, the governor of Cuba.


Language Notes
Text: English, Spanish (translation)


About the Author
Anthony Pagden is Harry C. Black Professor of History at the Johns Hopkins University. J. H. Elliott is Regius Professor Emeritus of Modern History, University of Oxford.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Hernán Cortés's Cartas de Relacíon, written over a seven-year period to Charles V of Spain, provide an extraordinary narrative account of the conquest of Mexico from the founding of the coastal town of Veracruz until Cortés's journey to Honduras in 1525. Pagden's English translation has been prepared from a close examination of the earliest surviving manuscript and of the first printed editions, and he also provides a new introduction offering a bold and innovative interpretation of the nature of the conquest and Cortes￯﾿ﾽs involvement in it. J. H. Elliot￯﾿ﾽs introductory essay explains Cortes￯﾿ﾽs conflicts with the Crown and with Diego Velazquez, the governor of Cuba.

Author Biography: Anthony Pagden is Harry C. Black Professor of History at the Johns Hopkins University. J. H. Elliott is Regius Professor Emeritus of Modern History, University of Oxford.

FROM THE CRITICS

Carlos Fuentes

One of the most fascinating Machiavellian documents to come out of the Renaissance. —Guardian

Helen Nader

The first reliable edition of the most important Spanish text . . . draws on Pagden's own profound knowledge of Mesoamerican cultures. —Sixteenth Century Journal

C. R. Boxer