Subject: The Broken Spears Book Review
             The Broken Spears, by Miguel Leon-Portilla, is a detailed and graphic account of the Spanish conquest, told from the point of view of the conquered (the Aztecs). Leon-Portilla's selections of events portrayed in this book combine giving the reader a big picture view of the Spanish conquest. This book gives a historical event an emotional, human, perspective, which helps the reader understand and empathize with the terror and fear the Aztecs were faced with. The book also provides in-depth details concerning the correlation of superstitions, poor (or misguided) leadership, and technological disadvantages that led to the Aztecs being conquered.
             After reading this book one begins to understand how and why the Aztecs were conquered. I was always under the impression that Cortes was just a great leader with great army and his victory in Mexico was as easy as the US victory was in Iraq (it amazing how similar the two events are; both fed by the hunger for power, and greed). After reading this book I have begun to realize that Cortes may have been a good leader but there were many more circumstances stacked against the Aztecs. These circumstances include native allies of the Spaniards, non-indigenous disease, inferior weapons, and bad interpretations of the Spaniards intentions. The Aztecs did not seem to have any cards in their favor. Most importantly this book shows the stark contrast and ultimate clash of different cultures. The Aztecs superstitious and ceremonial way of life clashed with the brutal and savage methods of Cortes. While the Aztecs decorated idols and built statues the Spaniards planned surprise attacks, for example the attack at the fiesta and the statue of Huitzilopochtli. This passage is found on page 72 and includes a graphic account of the Spaniards brutality. Throughout the entire book these cultural differences are present, forming and
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