The Broken Spears

The revolutionary account of the Spanish conquest of Mexico, through the eyes of the vanished, challenging colonial narratives and centering Aztec voices

A limited Beacon Classics edition, with a gorgeous spot gloss cover and retro, classic palette


For hundreds of years, the history of the conquest of Mexico and the defeat of the Aztecs has been told in the words of the Spanish victors. This is only a small part of the full story. Miguel León-Portilla has long been at the forefront of expanding that history to include the voices of indigenous peoples. Portilla’s work translating and compiling the voices contained within the pages of The Broken Spears has been revered since the book’s original Spanish publication in 1959 and original English publication in 1962.

In this new edition of his classic, León-Portilla’s work to unearth the voices of Aztec people from the past and the present continues to illuminate untold realities of colonization. His work includes accounts from those present at the time of the conquest of Mexico and has been expanded to include accounts from native Aztec descendants across the centuries since. These texts bear witness to the extraordinary vitality of an oral tradition that preserves the viewpoints of the vanquished instead of the victors.

Through these firsthand accounts from Aztec peoples, a new story about the conquest of Mexico unfolds. Portilla translates these stories, but he also investigates how these firsthand accounts came to be, remaining cognizant of what can be lost in translation, and the stakes of allowing history to be written by the victors.

The Broken Spears is an exemplary body of historical work that seeks to challenge the pervasiveness of colonial narratives and continues to shape the study of history to this day.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs