Prescott's History of the Conquest of Mexico

While Prescott's History of the Conquest of Mexico is an extremely interesting read, I do believed that it is more an example of late 18th/early 19th century history.  The book reads like a narrative and he does romanticize some of the scenes. For example on page 62 when he was describing the sacrifice of a young man to the god Tezcatlipoca, he describes the priests as having "long and matted locks flowed disorderly over their sable robes..."  Of course there is no way of knowing if this was actually the way it was, but it makes for a more exciting read.  During Prescott's time, I am sure that it was the preeminent go to book for information about the history of the conquest of Mexico but as compared to the information that we probably have been able to gather since then, it may be obsolete. However, it does give great insight and is a good example of how historians were conducting their research and does give insight into which sources they were or were not utilizing. I was surprised though to see that he does not treat the Aztecs as stupid savages like many writers portrayed them, but tries to help the reader understand the Aztec's way of life and thinking, which, naturally, would be very different from the probably predominately white audience who is reading this book.  While there are not many Aztec sources left to us even during Prescott's time he is able to use everything he can find to help his narrative.
Though by now more intensive gathering of sources and through the efforts of archaeologists interested in this period, the history of the conquest of Mexico has probably expanded since Prescott's time.  The careful excavation of Aztec sites and the recovery of artifacts has probably ameliorated the fact that very little in the way of Aztec accounts remain.  Prescott himself even states the terrible circumstances in which the Aztecs had to destroy many of their own records when the Spanish invaded.  The Spanish were also the cause of a great amount of the destruction.
This destruction on both sides also contributes to the silences created during this time.  Many of the primary sources that Prescott was able to use were mostly accounts written by the Spaniards during the conquest or historians back in Spain who were contemporary with the conquest.  I believe that Trouillot would be most interested in the silences of the Aztecs.  Since, like Haitians, there history was almost entirely destroyed and greatly overlooked.  Regardless, I think Trouillot would be happy and impressed with Prescott's attempts to give a significant voice to the Aztec's with what little information he has.