History
The sources below are all entertaining and/or important references: more standard general histories include Henry Bamford Parkes' History of Mexico (Houghton Mifflin); Fire and Blood: A History of Mexico by T.R. Fehrenbach (Replica); A Concise History of Mexico from Hidalgo to Cardenas by Jan Bazant (CUP, o/p); and Judith Hellman's Mexico in Crisis (Holmes & Meier). Inga Clendinnen , Ambivalent Conquests: Maya and Spaniard in Yucatan 1517 to 1570 (CUP). A product of meticulous research that documents the methods and consequences of the Spanish conquest of the Yucatan. The ambivalence in the title reflects doubts about the effectiveness of the conquest in subjugating the Maya, and the book provides insights into post-Conquest rebellions: over three hundred years after the Conquest the Maya rose in revolt during the Caste War, and almost succeeded in driving out their white overlords, while in January 1994, Maya peasants in Chiapas stunned the world and severely embarrassed the Mexican government by briefly capturing and controlling cities in the southeastern area of the state. Hernan Cortes , Letters from Mexico (Yale UP). The thoughts and impressions of the conquistador, first hand. Less exciting than Diaz, though. Bernal Diaz (trans. J.M. Cohen), The Conquest of New Spain (Viking). This abridged version is the best available of Diaz's classic Historia Verdadera de la Conquista de la Nueva Espana . Diaz, having been on two earlier expeditions to Mexico, accompanied Cortes throughout his campaign of Conquest, and this magnificent eyewitness account still makes compulsive reading. Adolfo Gilly , The Mexican Revolution (Verso/Routledge, Chapman & Hall, o/p). Written in Mexico City's notorious Lecumberri jail (Gilly was later granted an absolute pardon), this is regarded as the classic work on the Revolution. Heavy-going and highly theoretical though. Brian Hamnett , A Concise History of Mexico (CUP). The book kicks off with a brief examination of contemporary issues and then jumps back to the time of the Olmecs. A combined chronogical and thematic approach is used to analyse the social and political history of Mexico from then up until the present day. Some fairly large chunks of history are glossed over, but key events and issues are explored in greater detail, making for a good general introduction. Michael Meyer, William Sherman and Susan Deeds , The Course of Mexican History (OUP). Comprehensive general history. William Prescott , History of the Conquest of Mexico (Cooper Square Press). Written in the mid-nineteenth century, and drawing heavily on Diaz, Prescott's history was the standard text for over a hundred years. It makes for pretty heavy reading and has now been overtaken by Thomas' account. John Reed , Insurgent Mexico (International Publications). This collection of his reportage of the Mexican Revolution was put together by Reed himself. He spent several months in 1913 and 1914 with various generals of the Revolution - especially Villa - and the book contains great descriptions of them, their men, and the mood of the times. It's far more anecdotal and easy to read than the celebrated Ten Days that Shook the World . Jasper Ridley , Maximilian and Juarez (Phoenix). This comprehensive, highly readable account of one of "the great tragicomedies of the nineteenth century" charts the attempt by Napoleon III to establish Archduke Maximilian as the Emperor of Mexico. The colourful narrative brings to life an unmitigated political disaster with huge consequences, including the execution of Maximilian, the insanity of his wife Charlotte and the emergence of the United States as a world power. Hugh Thomas , Conquest: Montezuma, Cortes, and the Fall of Old Mexico (Touchstone); The Conquest of Mexico (Pimlico, UK). Same book, different title, but either way a brilliant narrative history of the Conquest by the British historian previously best known for his history of the Spanish Civil War. A massive work of real scholarship and importance - much of the archive material is newly discovered - but also humorous and readable, with appendices on everything from Aztec beliefs, history and genealogy to Cortes' wives and lovers. James W. Wilkie and Albert L. Michaels (eds), Revolution in Mexico (University of Arizona Press, o/p). A fascinating anthology of contemporary and more recent writing on the Revolution and the years that followed.
My Birthday giftAlex Arvizu says "If you happen to come to the Yucatan Peninsula you must visit both Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy.
Isla Mujeres is a great place to relax and enjoy a laid back atmosphere.
Isla Contoy, an unhabited island north of Isla Mujeres, will take you back to the days when the first settlers arrived and found these amazing virgin islands. The feeling is equal to none." Tour Mayan Pyramids On Line (Video + Stills)David Mundstock says "My film "Mayavision” features the major Mayan cities of Copan, Tikal, Chichen Itza, and Uxmal in both Central America and Mexico. It also includes Mexico City, with the Virgin of Guadalupe and the temples of Teotihuacán. The film begins in Honduras, Belize, and Guatemala.
“Mayavision” can be seen on the web, if you have a high speed internet connection.
This is a free, non-commercial, streaming video on the Windows Media Player. No ads and no strings attached. I sell absolutely nothing.
With any modem you can view the new gallery of Mayan Pyramid still pictures.
The video can be watched and stills viewed by asking a search engine for:
Intrepid Berkeley Explorer
There are over 30 of my other free, amateur travel videos on-line including trips to China, Russia, Antarctica, Italy, the UK, Japan, Australia, Bali, Africa, Greece, and Turkey; see lions, whales, elephants, or penguins.
The Intrepid Berkeley Explorer" what not to dojosie says "don't let mexican people see you translation book because the will think taht you are an idiot! don't look like you have money you are likely to get robbed and what ever you do don't wear a sombrero!!" !GO MEXICO GO!sarahid says " don't be mean to a mexican, because they going to thick you are idiot<, and be respecful every timr whith others, mexicans don't care if you wear a hat is ok." New hostel in townEnsenada Backpacker says "There is a new hostel in Ensenada Baja California Mexico
www.ensenadabackpacker.com"
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