Mirrors of a Disaster

The Spanish Military Conquest of America

Gerard Chaliand, A.M. Berrett

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English

AldineTransaction
31 May 2005

History; History of the Americas; Early modern history: c 1450 to c 1700; Bargains

In Mirrors of a Disaster, Gérard Chaliand narrates the major events that followed the Spanish conquest of Mexico and Peru with the scope and rhythm of an epic poem. He seeks to make meaningful the strict chronicle of a conquest through those who lived it. Human details and the broader political background bring to life one of history's great tragedies.

A new introduction by the author is included in this paperback edition. The comprehensive work is organized into three parts: ""The Conquest of Mexico,"" ""The Conquest of Guatemala and Yucatan,"" and ""The Conquest of Peru."" In each section, the author provides a summary prior to, in many cases, a day-by-day account of the events as they unfolded. Enriched by significant contemporary documents Mirrors of a Disaster relates the many facets of the conquest, presenting the Indians' perception of their defeat by the Spaniards, the conquerors' narratives of the same events, and the author's own retelling of a tragedy in which, he says, ""the vanquished could not, ultimately, but be vanquished.""

By: Gerard Chaliand
Translated by: A.M. Berrett
Imprint: AldineTransaction
Country of Publication: United States
Edition: New edition
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 19mm
Weight: 453g
ISBN: 9781412804714
ISBN 10: 141280471X
Pages: 257
Publication Date: 31 May 2005
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Primary , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

GErard Chaliand is a French specialist on military conflicts, guerrillas, and terrorism. His analyses of insurgencies have appeared in more than twenty books and in numerous newspaper articles.

Reviews for Mirrors of a Disaster: The Spanish Military Conquest of America

""This superbly written book reads like an adventure story. With epic inspiration, Chaliand conveys both the hopeless situation of the vanquished and the shrewd military strategy of the conquerors."" - Le Figaro Litteraire; ""The author narrates the conquests of Mexico and Peru, using Spanish and Indian testimonies, like two great tragic epics, with their human details and grand discourse, all rhythmed by the steps of destiny."" - L'Express; ""I find your evaluation of the incredible events surrounding the conquest of Mexico and Peru to be both lucid and well balanced. My congratulations!"" - Letter from Jacques Soustelle, anthropologist""