Enormous but enjoyable .. Imposing at 700 pages, Gillingham’s book is nevertheless an engrossing read, from the droll cadences of its skeptical first line describing the embellished Spanish estimates of the Indigenous armies they encountered ... On page after page, his narrative remains grounded in the smaller-scale experience of the communities that persisted under a power that has always been more spectacular than strong.
Breathtaking ... Gillingham...writes with sparkling verve and reveals Mexican history in all its kaleidoscopic complexity ... By the end, readers will have a clearer understanding of why Mexico has had so many struggles.
Vivid ... With an eye for revealing details and a rejection of tired bromides, Gillingham describes a cultural melting pot that, despite hindrances, has succeeded better than some more powerful nations in living up to its ideals.
