Cortes

My choice for late night reading is normally something that will not interfere with the slow descent into sleep. Faulkner is often a good selection.

I made a mistake with Cortes: The Life of the Conqueror by his Secretary by Francisco Lopez de Gomara. The book is fascinating. Although Lopez de Gomara is clearly an admirer of Cortes, his picture of the conqueror of Mexico is hardly without warts. Cortes comes across as a lying and manipulative Machiavellian, playing one tribe against the other as he proceeds toward his ultimate victory over Moctezuma.

Cortes's ability to subdue an opponent that greatly outnumbered his own meager forces is one of the most amazing feats in history. The account of Lopez de Gomara gives some clear insight into how he pulled it off.