Conquistador Voices (Vol II): The Spanish Conquest of the Americas as Recounted Largely by the Participants

The Spanish Conquest: What Really Happened? Conquistador Voices is for readers who might like to learn more about events related to the 15th-century "discovery" of the Americas by Europeans, events that were likely broad-brushed and sanitized in their schoolbooks. This two-volume set tells the stories of four important Spanish explorers or military leaders--Columbus and Cortés in vol I, and Pizarro, Soto, and Cabeza de Vaca in vol II. The two volumes are not only informative but easy to read, because they don't offer the usual dry historical descriptions of past events, but are instead built around the lively accounts of the participants themselves, eyewitness accounts that are held together by a narrative calculated to deliver an appealing and readable story. Conquistador Voices neither glorifies these controversial men nor censures their actions, preferring to leave such moralizing to the reader. What it strives to do is to deepen the reader's knowledge of actors and events whose influence is still being felt today, and to do so in an engaging and entertaining fashion.

About the Author :
Kevin H. Siepel writes on personal, historical, and environmental themes. His benchmark biography of Confederate cavalry officer John Mosby has been in print since 1983. He has been published frequently in the national, regional, and special-interest press. In April 2016 he was selected by Gente de Éxito magazine as its Person of the Month for his latest work, Conquistador Voices. In May 2016 the History News Network published an article by Mr. Siepel based on this title. Mr. Siepel speaks and teaches Spanish.

Review :
A nuanced view . . . . Clear and engaging with minimal biased commentary. Perfect for anyone looking for a more in-depth look at the Spanish conquistadors, and interested in them as three-dimensional and not just distant figures. . . . An interesting and wide-ranging look at a critical period in history. ‒ Foreword Reviews Clearly a labor of love. ‒ Publishers Weekly Exhaustively researched, exceptionally well written, impressively organized and presented, . . . very highly recommended for both community and academic library world history reference collections in general, and Spanish conquistador supplemental studies lists in particular. ‒ Midwest Book Review This book should be promoted in universities and in US social organizations where there are many second-and third-generation Latinos who have no idea of their origins in this country, and who would be very much enriched by reading this book. ‒ Opciones magazine It's not very often that a book as necessary as it is interesting lands on our desk. . . . A refreshing account . . . This English-language work ought to be required reading in US Latino academic circles. . . . A welcome literary effort. - Gente de Exito magazine A great read, for pleasure or for historical background on the Spanish conquistadors and their initial contact with the American Indians. . . . Uses extensive translations of primary sources, Spanish as well as native, with a commentary that is straightforward and makes sense. The translations are extremely good. Any university or secondary-education student would be able to comprehend and make use of this book, which is a useful complement to specialized courses in Latin American or colonial American history . . . . Highly recommended. - Russell M. Lawson, Professor of History, Bacone College In Conquistador Voices the conquistadors give us their version of events, ably related here in modern documentary fashion. What is especially valuable is that the author makes no judgments on these men, preferring to "leave this to the reader." In translating many of the original documents himself he has struck a nice balance between the original sense of the narrative and a text that "hooks" the modern reader. . . . Siepel, whose primary announced purpose is to teach, makes us laugh, cry, and-why not?-suffer along the way. . . . Conquistador Voices would make a fine gift for anyone interested in learning more about the Conquest. - Hoy en Delaware magazine