Chronicle of the Narvaez Expedition (Penguin Classics)

This is an excellent true adventure story said in the 16th century. It’s hard to judge the main character and his motives.

I didn't know anything about this real story until I watched BBC Conquistadors. When I learned about Cabeza de Vaca, I was eager to read the account of his years lost, wandering in the south part of North America for 9 long years until he found some "Christians" in the northwest part of Mexico. Although the book is short and simple, the information provided is invaluable, especially with the descriptions of the Indians in this region, its customs and way of living. One thing that called my attention was all the hardships he had to endure during his long journey, going naked and feeding mostly of fruits and roots, proving in this case that he was a survivor by nature since others were not that lucky in the same precarious environment. And yes, what a strange name.

1500's, some Spanish ships wash up in Florida, and one guy (Cabeza de Vaca, which implausibly means "The Cow's Head") and his small crew end up crossing the continent to California. And living to write about it. Years ago, when I lived in Boise, Idaho (I know, who the hell ever lives in Boise?), I saw a foreign film of this and assumed it was fiction. Had no idea the stuff actually happened. Or did it? That's the question hanging over the book. What's true, what isn't? In this book, as in life, I'm inclined to believe the strangest stuff is true: the tall "Indians" somewhere in the southwest who dressed as women and practiced homosexuality, the village of Indians who were all blind, the years he spent as a slave to various tribes--had to be true. Also, throughout much of this book, Nunez does not make himself a conquering hero. He constantly points out that he is a naked observer, and I think that's largely true. And while he is fervidly Christian, he doesn't sit in judgment of the peoples and cultures he encounters, an improbable and remarkable feat for a Catholic of any age, but especially the 1500's. All in all, stragne, fascinating read.

This is a must read for anyone who cares about the true early history of the US and Mexico. It’s an amazing survival story as well as fascinating insights to indigenous populations inhabiting the southern parts of US and northern Mexico. Could not put it down.

I had to read this for a class, the translation is pretty good the sorry it's what you'd expect from a gift trying to be sad honest add he could without being imprisoned or excuted.

5 stars for a first hand account of early North American exploration and the trials, tribulations and hardships endured as well as overcome. Cabeza De Vaca tells one of the most fascinating, mostly non-fiction, accounts of exploration on record. Himself and his companions couldn't have done or survived what they did without such strong faith! Worth the read, trust me!

The first white man's story of native America

This is an incredible story of survival and early anthropology. Cabeza de Vaca and his comrades endured incredible hardships and emerged, it seems, as better human beings. Watch the movie (Cabeza de Vaca) and read this first hand account. He is an uncelebrated conquistador who became an advocate for the indigenous people of the Americas.

I enjoyed the history book a good read.

I've always wanted to read this book about the first European to walk across the American Southwest. However, I believe he exagerates his sufferings and also his so-called magical powers in healing the Indians. It is still nice to read something written almost 500 years ago.

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I was surprised I couldn`t help keep reading it fom the first page until the very last,what Cabeza de Vaca underwent is almost unbelievable.I totally recommend the read of this barefoot spanish conquistador chronicle and portrait of America.

Great book