In this astonishing work of scholarship that reads like an edge-of-your-seat adventure thriller; acclaimed historian Buddy Levy records the last days of the Aztec empire and the two men at the center of an epic clash of cultures perhaps unequaled to this day. It was a moment unique in human history; the face-to-face meeting between two men from civilizations a world apart. In 1519; Hernán Cortés arrived on the shores of Mexico; determined not only to expand the Spanish empire but to convert the natives to Catholicism and carry off a fortune in gold. That he saw nothing paradoxical in carrying out his intentions by virtually annihilating a proud and accomplished native people is one of the most remarkable and tragic aspects of this unforgettable story. In Tenochtitlán Cortés met his Aztec counterpart; Montezuma: king; divinity; commander of the most powerful military machine in the Americas and ruler of a city whose splendor equaled anything in Europe. Yet in less than two years; Cortés defeated the entire Aztec nation in one of the most astounding battles ever waged. The story of a lost kingdom; a relentless conqueror; and a doomed warrior; Conquistador is history at its most riveting.
#85702 in Books Neal Bascomb 2010-04-20 2010-04-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x 1.01 x 5.31l; .85 #File Name: 0547248024416 pagesHunting Eichmann How a Band of Survivors and a Young Spy Agency Chased Down the World s Most Notorious Nazi
Review
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful. The Humanization of Adolf EichmannBy R.M.T.I very much enjoyed reading Mr. Bascomb's book. True to it's title; "Hunting Eichmann" offers a detailed accounting of the efforts of Mossad in tracking down; capturing; and bringing to justice the world's most wanted criminal at that time. The book is easily read; offers little known and detailed information and perspectives from the participants involved; and holds the reader's attention.I was surprised that my perception of the Adolf Eichmann I thought I knew changed after reading this book. Since my teens in the late 1960's; I have read numerous books on the Third Reich and the Holocaust; including the great works of Sir Martin Gilbert; William Shirer; and Nazi insider Albert Speer. As a result; I saw Adolf Eichmann through a concrete looking glass... a 20th century boogey man; a black and white; one dimensional monster of epic proportions whose organizational skills; robotic ability to follow orders; and sociopathy made him a perfect choice for the tasks he eagerly carried out and was to eventually answer for.Although the focus of this book was obviously the manhunt; Bascomb managed to humanize Eichmann through short biographical flashes; at least as much as one can humanize the inhumane. He did so by offering insight into the flawed man that Eichmann was... a true case study in contradictions: a ne'er do well who found ambition and drive at the worst possible moment. A philandering husband revered by his long-suffering wife. A stern father; both loved and respected by his sons. A man able to extinguish a million lives with the mere stroke of a pen; yet who shuddered at the prospect of his own execution. A once proud member of the Third Reich's inner circle who; within 15 years of the war's end; stood before his captors in "worn and dingy socks and underwear" while being searched after his capture. And it is this "humanization" of Adolf Eichmann that makes him truly terrifying.***** Large segments of the trial of Adolf Eichmann have been made available by Yad Vashem on You-Tube ****0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent; comprehensive WWII tome; added depth dimension to history for meBy K KaufmanWow! I just finished this book and really enjoyed it. I appreciate how Bascomb went to so many different sources to cull his information and put it together into one captivating tome.I read almost everything I can find on WWII; especially relating to the Holocaust as the topic fascinates me. I feel like it somehow honors those who perished in a very small way to learn what I can about their lives and their experiences. In spite of all of the reading I have already done on the subject; this book added plenty of new dimension and understanding.In particular; I appreciate Bascomb's description of Germany; the Catholic Church; the United States; Great Britain; Argentina; etc; and the roles they took on with regard to finding Nazis after the war; and how the Eichmann trial impacted those approaches. I also gained a new appreciation for the formation of the nation of Israel; and how it came to be.In addition to appealing to history buffs; this is an excellent book for those who like spy thrillers. It was a page turner and many nights I could not put it down! Well worth the read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. More Than Just a StoryBy SpyderThis is a thoroughly resarched and well written work which is informative and gripping at the same time. The book humanizes all the major players; and to some extent; even Eichmann. The documentation of tragedy and triumph is compelling; and the author is able to convey the bigger picture of why this venture was of much more significance than the mere capturing of a war criminal.Although there is some description of the horrors of the Holocaust; the author does not dwell on gory detail; but focuses on the mind set and motivation of the principles.This is a fascinating and highly recommended read.
