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| Cabeza de Vaca's Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America (Zia Book) | 
 enlarge | Author: Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca
Creator: Cyclone Covey
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (20 reviews)
Sales Rank: 41839
Languages: Spanish (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 160
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.7
ISBN: 082630656X
Dewey Decimal Number: 970.016
EAN: 9780826306562
ASIN: 082630656X
Publication Date: April 1, 1983
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Cabeza de Vaca came to the New world in 1527 as part of a Spanish expedition to conquer the region north of the Gulf of Mexico. His exploration party lost contact with their ships, set out northward on foot, and traveled, their numbers soon reduced from 300 to 4, across Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico for the next eight years. In addition to being one of the great true adventure stories of all time, Cabeza de Vaca's account of their travels is an unparalleled source of firsthand information on the pre-European Southwest--the variety of its climate, its flora and fauna, the customs of its natives. They were the first to see the opossum and the buffalo, the Mississippi and the Pecos, pine-nut mash and mesquite-bean flour. This book contains the first description in literature of a West Indies Hurricane. "Cabeza de Vaca was not only a physical trailblazer: he was also a literary pioneer, and he deserves the distinction of being called the Southwest's first writer.... The RelaciAn, while not fiction, possesses most of the attributes of a good novel."--William T. Pilkington
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| Customer Reviews: Read 15 more reviews...
 the ultimate "nature hike" November 19, 2008
The tale begins with the shipwrecking of 300 plus Spaniards who survive a hurricane, washing ashore on the gulf side of the Florida peninsula. Two years later, the 300 are reduced to four, with Cabeza de Vaca acting as a de facto leader, as much as one can possibly be under circumstances of extreme deprivation and acute hunger.
For most of eight years, the four endure enslavements by the native Indian tribes as they stagger along in a westward direction - this part of the narration is a bit of a slog. But halfway through, the tale picks up as the Indians begin to regard the four as medicine men and healers. When Cabeza and his companions reach what is now Big Spring, Texas, their fate has reversed - they have now been almost deified by the native peoples. They meet up with Spaniards later on, and embark on the homeward quest back to Spain via Mexico City.
Cabeza de Vaca's faith in God carries him and the other three through the most harrowing episodes during this eight year odyssey through the southwestern wilderness of 450 years ago. The man's courage must have also been a critical factor in his surviving to tell the tale.
Cyclone Covey's translation of this, the original text called La Relacion, feels choppy and uneven; but, the text he had to work with apparently wasn't that fluidly written either. Maps of the journey would have been very helpful in this book; the text might become more accessible for the reader. But, all in all, this ultimate in nature hikes still remains one on the greatest adventures ever told.
Parataxis
The Cloud Reckoner
Extracts: A Field Guide for Iconoclasts
 Cabeza de Vaca's narrative is a "must read" November 6, 2008
Cabeza de Vaca was among the first, if not the first, European explorer to venture into Florida, the Deep South, the American Southwest, and northwest Mexico. His narrative account of mostly forced and/or accidental exploration is spellbinding, and gives one a reliable, factual appreciation of American history.
The narrative focuses mostly on Cabeza de Vaca's arrival to the New World as a member of a Spanish exploration team, shares information on the team's horrific disbandment, and describes Cabeza de Vaca's subsequent years serving as a poorly-fed, brutally-treated, naked slave to various Native American tribes who lived throughout the area, and who were also exposed to the elements.
The last chapters of the book record that he finally found freedom, became a valued leader to the Indians, and influenced thousands of them to follow the Catholic faith. He was even able to protect many Indians in northwest Mexico from certain slaughter at the hands of other Spainards with whom he was acquainted.
The tales of hardship and courage found in this book are unsurpassed. If you can only own one book about life in pre-Colonial or early America, buy this book. This is one of the most gripping, historically-accurate narratives you'll ever read. It's also a great study of human nature.
An amazing journey through history and faith! June 17, 2007
My son and I heard this book on tape nine years ago, and frequently refer to it to this day. We were delighted to find it in print form. An amazing, true and vulnerable account of a man who stumbled into his destiny simply by doing the right thing a step at a time. Some incredible history. De Vaca was [...] when Columbus returned home in chains . . .
Harrowing tale of Survival in pre-conquest North America September 18, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
For many, if not most Americans, early history of the Americas goes something like this - Columbus to the Pilgrims to the American Revolution, end of story. Unfortunately, this abbreviated tale not only leaves many gaps in knowledge, but bypasses some truly amazing stories. `Cabeza De Vaca's Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America' is one of the best examples of the incredible tales that are often overlooked from the early history of European exploration and conquest of the Americas.
This is a first hand account from a survivor of an ill-fated attempt of a Spanish conquistador to conquer and colonize Florida and the Gulf Coast of North America. Of over four hundred proud men who landed with high hopes of vast wealth in gold, only four survived, after an eight year struggle, making their way across the North American continent from Florida back into Spanish controlled Mexico. The author of the book emerged naked from the wilderness, with nothing of value to show for his harrowing eight year experience except his story, which he wrote hoping to gain favor from his king.
The tale of the author's eight year struggle is simply incredible, and for most modern readers, sometimes unbelievable. He relates the missteps and misadventures that reduced him and his companions from proud conquistadors to weak, naked men, sometimes only surviving as slaves of native tribes. His writing gives a unique snapshot of Native life in that region before its conquest by Europeans, and covers a wide variety of tribes and cultures, both those who were hostile and helpful to him. In the second half of his narrative, he relates events that are nearly impossible for most modern minds to credit, as he tells of how he gained status with the natives by becoming a faith healer, and even of raising a man from the dead. Regardless of whether or not you credit his stories of becoming a faith healing messiah followed by hundreds of adoring natives as historical, it certainly makes for an amazing and lively tale.
While the story itself certainly merits five stars, the writing does not rise to the same level. Cabeza De Vaca was not primarily a writer, and was not writing for a broad audience, but only to impress his king in hopes that he would be rewarded for his service. He leaves out details, background, and scrambles chronology, which may make it necessary to reread certain passages to make sure you get the gist of what he is writing. Of course, as he wrote in Spanish, there is the factor of what is lost in translation as well. Still, this slim volume is packed with fascinating information and incredible tales of survival, and I highly recommend that you discover it for yourself - four stars.
Theo Logos
A book of unparralled value. June 7, 2005
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Why read a 'history' fantasy when you can read one man's true adventure? "Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America" is a real source document. Rolling through the pages one can sense the genuine experience of a man alone in the 'New World', and understand the very real challenges. Through Cabeza de Vaca's eyes one can get a fresh look at the Native American cultures that existed before Europeans took over.
History really happened, it is not the musings of men (or women) who were not there. History is the actual experience of the participants. This book is alive with the living experience of a key player in the exploration of the American continent by Europeans.
And, there is a bonus. The book reveals the character of a man, and the impact of real events on that character . Cabeza de Vaca grows and changes in the pages. With all of the paper wasted in the publishing business, and all of the speculations of historians staining perfectly good paper, it is a joy to behold the real thing.
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