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Castaways: The Narrative of Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
This enthralling story of survival is the first major narrative of the exploration of North America by Europeans (1528-36). The author of Castaways (Naufragios), Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, was a fortune-seeking nobleman and the treasurer of an expedition to claim for Spain a vast area that includes today's Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. A shipwreck forced him and a handful of men to make the long westward journey on foot to meet up with Hernán Cortés.
In order to survive, Cabeza de Vaca joined native peoples along the way, learning their languages and practices and serving them as a slave and later as a physician. When after eight years he finally reached the West, he was not recognized by his compatriots.
In his writing Cabeza de Vaca displays great interest in the cultures of the native peoples he encountered on his odyssey. As he forged intimate bonds with some of them, sharing their brutal living conditions and curing their sick, he found himself on a voyage of self-discovery that was to make his reunion with his fellow Spaniards less joyful than expected.
Cabeza de Vaca's gripping narrative is a trove of ethnographic information, with descriptions and interpretations of native cultures that make it a powerful precursor to modern anthropology. Frances M. López-Morillas's translation beautifully captures the sixteenth-century original. Based as it is on Enrique Pupo-Walker's definitive critical edition, it promises to become the authoritative English translation.
In order to survive, Cabeza de Vaca joined native peoples along the way, learning their languages and practices and serving them as a slave and later as a physician. When after eight years he finally reached the West, he was not recognized by his compatriots.
In his writing Cabeza de Vaca displays great interest in the cultures of the native peoples he encountered on his odyssey. As he forged intimate bonds with some of them, sharing their brutal living conditions and curing their sick, he found himself on a voyage of self-discovery that was to make his reunion with his fellow Spaniards less joyful than expected.
Cabeza de Vaca's gripping narrative is a trove of ethnographic information, with descriptions and interpretations of native cultures that make it a powerful precursor to modern anthropology. Frances M. López-Morillas's translation beautifully captures the sixteenth-century original. Based as it is on Enrique Pupo-Walker's definitive critical edition, it promises to become the authoritative English translation.
188 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 1993
4 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
91 books31 followersSpanish colonial administrator Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca explored parts of present-day Florida, Texas, and Mexico and aroused interest in the region with his vivid stories of opportunities.
In the New World, he and three other persons survived the expedition of Pánfilo de Narváez of 1527. During eight years of traveling across the southwest, he traded and encountered and in faith healed various Native American tribes before he reconnected with forces in 1536. After returning in 1537, he wrote an account, first published in 1542 as La Relación ("The Relation", or in more modern terms "The Account"), retitled Naufragios ("Shipwrecks") in later editions. People ably consider and note Cabeza de Vaca as a proto-anthropologist for his detailed accounts of the many tribes of Native Americans.
[Wikipedia]
In the New World, he and three other persons survived the expedition of Pánfilo de Narváez of 1527. During eight years of traveling across the southwest, he traded and encountered and in faith healed various Native American tribes before he reconnected with forces in 1536. After returning in 1537, he wrote an account, first published in 1542 as La Relación ("The Relation", or in more modern terms "The Account"), retitled Naufragios ("Shipwrecks") in later editions. People ably consider and note Cabeza de Vaca as a proto-anthropologist for his detailed accounts of the many tribes of Native Americans.
[Wikipedia]
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 23, 2024
Had to read it for school but was honestly surprised at how interesting and fun it could be. It's just a journey of a stranded Spaniard in 1527 going from Cuba to Mexico city while running into many different groups of Native Americans and documenting his many experiences. It goes in many different directions but I enjoyed reading this.
May 12, 2013
This is one of several editions/translations of Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca's account of events that began when he was chosen to be treasurer of the ill fated Narváez expedition to North America in 1527.
It is an account of adventure, culture, nature, human avarice, and finally, redemption. It's a tragedy that this book is not required reading for every schoolchild in this country.
December 4, 2008
Cabeza de Vaca's misadventures stumbling through what is now southern America and northern Mexico. Several of these events are interesting, and the ending is excellent. I think you have to love history more than I to really love this one.
January 5, 2009
The amazing thing about most discoveries and science is history's portrayal of them as if we knew what we were doing all along. Cabeza de Vaca's journal (or stories at the least) are a great read to knowing of the native world that existed and we now know as the countries around the Gulf of Mexico.
November 24, 2010
I found this book deeply disturbing and had a hard time putting myself in their shoes. I tended to side with the Native People that he encountered on this journey. It's a great historical perspective, however.
November 14, 2008
amazing history.
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September 14, 2009Castaways: The Narrative of Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca (Latin American Literature and Culture, No 10) by Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca (1993)
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June 26, 2010Castaways (Latin American Literature and Culture, No 10) by Alvar N
March 30, 2013
Very intriguing. The adventurous hardships these men went through in a foreign land is astounding! Especially since this book is based on real experiences. I would definitely recommend.
February 25, 2023
Clear and to the point. This translation of the Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca's multi year account of his journey through the Americas is clear, concise, and narrative-like. The book is a translation of the journal entries made by the explorer shortly after landing in the Caribbean and lasting all the way until him reaching his destination New Spain. The explorer gets cut off from his group and spends years with the Indians, later reconnects with a few of his group, and are escorted by an ever growing group of Natives who believe the Spaniards to be magical healers.
The most fascinating part of the account for me was the range in culture and levels of civilization of the Natives. Some are cannibals, some do human sacrifice, others have federations and legal structures. Some are nomadic, others stay put. Some are hostile, others friendly. Some know how to grow food, but many he comes across are in a constant state of chasing wild forgeable plants, season after season around the region.
I am surprised this book is not more commonly used in grade school curriculums regarding the founding and exploration of the New World as it has some of the earliest accounts of the Indians, and probably one of the only accounts of them prior to being exposed to the Europeans.
The most fascinating part of the account for me was the range in culture and levels of civilization of the Natives. Some are cannibals, some do human sacrifice, others have federations and legal structures. Some are nomadic, others stay put. Some are hostile, others friendly. Some know how to grow food, but many he comes across are in a constant state of chasing wild forgeable plants, season after season around the region.
I am surprised this book is not more commonly used in grade school curriculums regarding the founding and exploration of the New World as it has some of the earliest accounts of the Indians, and probably one of the only accounts of them prior to being exposed to the Europeans.
December 20, 2023
A remarkable find! I heard this text mentioned in a podcast on Cortez. I'm surprised it's not better known, as it's one of the very very few primary sources we have from the time. On top of that, it's an incredible narrative!
Of course, one has to remember Cabeza de Vaca is pitching this story to the king, a man who is still his patron. No doubt that influences his additions and omissions. Almost comical how he frequently apologizes for not bringing gold and other riches back to Spain, just this story of years-long wandering, suffering, discovery, and enslavement.
We still know so very little about the many peoples that populated North and South America. Even estimates of the total population of the two continents vary widely among scholars. This text is a precious glimpse into pre-conquest America.
Of course, one has to remember Cabeza de Vaca is pitching this story to the king, a man who is still his patron. No doubt that influences his additions and omissions. Almost comical how he frequently apologizes for not bringing gold and other riches back to Spain, just this story of years-long wandering, suffering, discovery, and enslavement.
We still know so very little about the many peoples that populated North and South America. Even estimates of the total population of the two continents vary widely among scholars. This text is a precious glimpse into pre-conquest America.
August 11, 2025
As a person from New Orleans, I found this narrative particularly interesting. The narrator gives an account as part of a group of explorers in the early 1500s who sought to claim what is now Florida on behalf of the king of Spain. It's the first written story from a European about the Americas.
Starting with three ships and hundreds of men, the expedition encountered many tragedies which led to them losing most of their crew. The story spans several years, starting with launching from the already established colony of Cuba, to landing in Florida and exploring its coast and inland, and eventually traveling the Gulf coast to the mouth of the Mississippi River. It's a fascinating story and one that you'll find yourself recounting to others.
Starting with three ships and hundreds of men, the expedition encountered many tragedies which led to them losing most of their crew. The story spans several years, starting with launching from the already established colony of Cuba, to landing in Florida and exploring its coast and inland, and eventually traveling the Gulf coast to the mouth of the Mississippi River. It's a fascinating story and one that you'll find yourself recounting to others.
March 19, 2025
Incredible first-hand account of early European exploration of North America and a gem for the anthropological understanding of Native American culture before mass-colonization. Shoutout Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
September 4, 2022
Whoa, (spoiler, the European's eventually take over)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2025
So… it DOES feel more like a document?
October 17, 2013
En el libro Naufragios, el conquistador español Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca nos narra sus aventuras, con la compañía de otros cuatro náufragos, cuando cruzaron a pie, durante ocho años, Estados Unidos y México.
Lo más importante de esta autobiografía es que muestra a Cabeza de Vaca como el verdadero descubridor de América del Norte, que detalla con gran detalle las poblaciones indígenas mexicanas y que incorpora al lenguaje castellano varias palabras de origen americano.
La obra fue publicada en 1542 en España y relata al completo los ocho años de travesías. Está catalogada como una obra de no ficción y es muy recomendable a todos aquellos amantes de la historia.
¿Cómo llegó a mis manos este libro? Nuestra profesora de Historia Social de la Literatura nos recomendó dos textos: Naufragios de Cabeza de Vaca y El largo atardecer del caminante de Abel Posse. Como a mí nunca me ha gustado demasiado los libros de no ficción, elegí la novela de Posse. Pero en realidad ambos libros están relacionados, ya que tienen a Cabeza de Vaca como protagonista. Luego de leer la novela, que me ha encantado y de la cual tendrán la reseña en un par de minutos, me he decido hacerle un lugar a Naufragios.
Muy grande ha sido mi sorpresa cuando descubrí que si bien el estilo hace un poco pesada la lectura, no por eso la hace menos interesante. Son muchísimas las dificultades que atraviesa nuestro protagonista y el saber que parten de una cierta realidad, agudiza aún más la situación tensa de ansiedad por conocer el desenlace.
Puede leerse como si fuera una novela, puede leerse también como un relato histórico. De ambas formas conocerás la historia de Cabeza de Vaca: navegante, prisionero, comerciante, esclavo, chamán y español.
Las descripciones no son exhaustivas, pero son precisas. Los escenarios naturales y los descubrimientos a veces son narrados con temor y/o incomprensión.
Se puede notar una transformación en el pensamiento del protagonista respecto al entorno y a los nativos. Desde el miedo hasta el cariño. Incluso, en el final, una pequeña escena detalla en perfección la diferencia entre el Cabeza de Vaca que se va, al típico conquistador español que recién llega.
Este no es un libro para recomendárselos a todos, pues puede resultarle pesado a muchos. Más bien es una sugerencia de lectura para aquellos, y solo aquellos, a los cuales les guste el género.
Lo más importante de esta autobiografía es que muestra a Cabeza de Vaca como el verdadero descubridor de América del Norte, que detalla con gran detalle las poblaciones indígenas mexicanas y que incorpora al lenguaje castellano varias palabras de origen americano.
La obra fue publicada en 1542 en España y relata al completo los ocho años de travesías. Está catalogada como una obra de no ficción y es muy recomendable a todos aquellos amantes de la historia.
¿Cómo llegó a mis manos este libro? Nuestra profesora de Historia Social de la Literatura nos recomendó dos textos: Naufragios de Cabeza de Vaca y El largo atardecer del caminante de Abel Posse. Como a mí nunca me ha gustado demasiado los libros de no ficción, elegí la novela de Posse. Pero en realidad ambos libros están relacionados, ya que tienen a Cabeza de Vaca como protagonista. Luego de leer la novela, que me ha encantado y de la cual tendrán la reseña en un par de minutos, me he decido hacerle un lugar a Naufragios.
Muy grande ha sido mi sorpresa cuando descubrí que si bien el estilo hace un poco pesada la lectura, no por eso la hace menos interesante. Son muchísimas las dificultades que atraviesa nuestro protagonista y el saber que parten de una cierta realidad, agudiza aún más la situación tensa de ansiedad por conocer el desenlace.
Puede leerse como si fuera una novela, puede leerse también como un relato histórico. De ambas formas conocerás la historia de Cabeza de Vaca: navegante, prisionero, comerciante, esclavo, chamán y español.
Las descripciones no son exhaustivas, pero son precisas. Los escenarios naturales y los descubrimientos a veces son narrados con temor y/o incomprensión.
Se puede notar una transformación en el pensamiento del protagonista respecto al entorno y a los nativos. Desde el miedo hasta el cariño. Incluso, en el final, una pequeña escena detalla en perfección la diferencia entre el Cabeza de Vaca que se va, al típico conquistador español que recién llega.
Este no es un libro para recomendárselos a todos, pues puede resultarle pesado a muchos. Más bien es una sugerencia de lectura para aquellos, y solo aquellos, a los cuales les guste el género.
September 25, 2011
This was a primary account of a wild adventure taken by some spaniards in the 1500's. Thier boat ported in Tampa Bay in Florida. They wondered around Florida for a bit, then sailed to the east coast of Texas. From there they went by foot over to the New Mexico/Arizona area, then south to Mexico City. That is where thier adventure ended. They started out with hundreds of men and ended up with four (I think.) The fact that anyone survived is incredible especially with the technology of that time period.
Most of the books faults are due to the fact that it is a primary source. Cabeza De Vaca doesn't get into too many of the juicy details of life and death situations that I find compelling about survival stories. He was almost perpetually in life threatening situations, but he glosses over them. I think a good secondary account would be more interesting. There the authors can expand on the juicy stuff and compare with other accounts, and get into how De Vaca and his men may have survived certain situations.
Random fun facts from the book: Did you know that buffalo were recorded as being present in Florida in the 1500's? Something else thats funny: Cabeza De Vaca claimed to have supernatural powers. He talks about "healing" the natives of several ailments throughout the narrative. I thought that was funny to. Now I'm off to search for secondary accounts...
Most of the books faults are due to the fact that it is a primary source. Cabeza De Vaca doesn't get into too many of the juicy details of life and death situations that I find compelling about survival stories. He was almost perpetually in life threatening situations, but he glosses over them. I think a good secondary account would be more interesting. There the authors can expand on the juicy stuff and compare with other accounts, and get into how De Vaca and his men may have survived certain situations.
Random fun facts from the book: Did you know that buffalo were recorded as being present in Florida in the 1500's? Something else thats funny: Cabeza De Vaca claimed to have supernatural powers. He talks about "healing" the natives of several ailments throughout the narrative. I thought that was funny to. Now I'm off to search for secondary accounts...
December 19, 2019
What an ego trip.
Cabeza de Vaca (ok total digression but his name is Cow Head it's so wonderful how and why did you end up with the name Cow Head and no one commented on it) narrates a long journey across North America, kind of, wherein he meets many tribes of natives, whose customs are explored, kind of. A lot of Spanish authors we read (I was in a Comp Lit class) seem to be unreasonably fond of saying "and a lot more happened, but we're not going to talk about it. There's no room." Alright. Thank you. A lot of the native culture is displayed as far more homogeneous than it likely was and he sensationalizes his own miracle healing and how much he was adored for it to the point where there is no way he is being completely honest. Since there's relatively little detail on the cultures/people and we keep moving before we really get to meet anyone, the entire account is far less empathetic and engaging than it could have been.
Cabeza de Vaca (ok total digression but his name is Cow Head it's so wonderful how and why did you end up with the name Cow Head and no one commented on it) narrates a long journey across North America, kind of, wherein he meets many tribes of natives, whose customs are explored, kind of. A lot of Spanish authors we read (I was in a Comp Lit class) seem to be unreasonably fond of saying "and a lot more happened, but we're not going to talk about it. There's no room." Alright. Thank you. A lot of the native culture is displayed as far more homogeneous than it likely was and he sensationalizes his own miracle healing and how much he was adored for it to the point where there is no way he is being completely honest. Since there's relatively little detail on the cultures/people and we keep moving before we really get to meet anyone, the entire account is far less empathetic and engaging than it could have been.
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April 13, 2017one of the first "travel books" - enlightening as to how conquistadors viewed themselves and the world.
October 4, 2018
Read so much my copy is falling apart.
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October 8, 2019Interesting.
April 4, 2021
Very fun read of the life and struggles of Cabeza de Vaca in the early Americas/Whatever Island they were on
August 19, 2024
Interesting History
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2025
Idk seems like a really important historical text but just not the most into reading books like this about "encounters" with Indigenous folks from the POV of a Spanish colonizer...
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews