Enslow 2010 112p 31.93
Great Explorers of the World (Enslow) 978-1-59845-099-6 E-BNS
A well researched biography of Cortes and his various excursions into Latin America, especially Mexico. Attention is given to the affect of his arrival on the Aztecs and how he is viewed in Mexico today. Here the researcher will learn about the life of Hernando Cortes and how he battled the Azetecs for control of the area, now Mexico, and set the stage for further European conquests in Latin America. There is a synopsis of early Aztec culture followed by a review of Mexican history, specifically Mexico’s relationship to Spain and eventual independence. Finally, the author adds more information about economic and civil rights issues in contemporary Mexico. By the end of the book, it is without surprise, we learn that Cortes is not regarded as a hero in Mexico. Reflecting on his legacy, Green cites a 2006 source that calls Cortes a thief and a torturer.(98)
The research for this book is supported by numerous references and uses information from various contemporary accounts. Overall, the content goes beyond the scope of a biography and will be useful for all of the other information given. Interesting points surface such as the fact that 250,000 Spanish and Portuguese were already living in the new world before the English settled Jamestown. These sorts of details will allow students to make connections to what they already know. Eye-catching pull quotes effectively draw attention these interesting facts.
The supporting material includes extensive chapter references, numerous references for further research,and the index is more than adequate. Spadaro, Trish
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