Product Description: William Hickling Prescott (1796-1859) was one of those rare historians who effectively melded history and literature in an elegant, compelling writing style that appealed to the casual reader, while still meeting the strict criteria of the scholar...read more

Product Description: Daring exploits and astounding achievements were common for two 19th century adventurers--John Lloyd Stephens, a New York lawyer and best-selling author, and Frederick Catherwood, a London architect and renowned topographical artist...read more

Spanish conquistadors attempted to conquer the New World nearly a century before the English colonists established a permanent settlement at Jamestown. This book examines the unsuccessful elements of Spain's attempt at expanding its empire in the Americas, focusing particularly on the misadventures of three conquistadors. Part One tells the story of Cabeza de Vaca who, along with three other survivors of the ill-fated Panfilo de Narvaez expedition to Florida, spent nearly eight years among the various tribes that wandered across Texas, New Mexico, and northern Mexico before finding his way back to civilization. Their tales of lands rich with earthly delights served as inspiration for two epic but failed expeditions that make up the second and third parts of the book: Francisco de Coronado's quest to find the golden cities of Cibola and Hernando de Soto's efforts to find the rich kingdoms of Florida.

'A study of the first encounters between Spanish explorers and the indigenous tribes of the Americas, this work focuses on the life and times of Francisco Pizarro and his quest to locate the legendary wealth of a region the Spaniards called Peru. Chapters devoted to Inca history provide an overview of the vast empire that the conquistadors forged'--Provided by publisher.

'This book discusses the battles between the Spanish explorers and the Aztecs--battles that culminated in the ruin of a civilization. Alternating between Aztec and Spanish history, it discusses events and motivations on each side and includes a thorough account of the struggle between Cortâes and Montezuma'--Provided by publisher.

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