In 1519 the remarkable Captain Hernando Cortés led an expedition to Mexico in the name of his Spanish King. Mexico at that time was a vast, unknown country inhabited by fierce, warlike Indians; but there were tales of golden treasure and precious jewels to be had for the taking.
The story of the Spanish conquest of Mexico is as fascinating as any piece of fiction, and Captain Cortés Conquers Mexico authentically re-creates this stirring saga of victory and death with all its thrilling swordplay, plunder and violence. We follow the fearless little band of Spanish adventurers as they make their way across jagged mountain ranges, past smoking volcanoes, into the dazzling kingdom of the Aztec Indians. In a gleaming white-and-gold city dotted with towering pyramids, blue lakes and floating gardens, the Spaniards discover an amazing culture unlike anything they have ever known. And they meet the powerful ruler of the Aztec nation, Montezuma, who believes that these strange white men, with their enormous horses and booming guns, are powerful gods filled with vengeance.
How a few hundred Spanish warriors, with the assistance of a trusted Aztec girl, succeeded in conquering the stronghold of an enemy that numbered thousands of well-trained fighters is one of history's most remarkable episodes. William Johnson's colorful account of this incredible true adventure will hold the reader spell-bound to the very end.
From the dust jacket
William Johnson first thought of writing a book about Cortés in 1931. As a student he traveled throughout Mexico and later, when he was a foreign correspondent there, he visited many of the famous places touched on by the Cortés expedition, such as Yucatan and Vera Cruz. Thus he approached his subject with a great and long-felt interest. Mr. Johnson writes: "Although I have worked as a war correspondent and foreign correspondent in many parts of the world, no other country hols as much fascination for me."
From the dust jacket
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