Hernando Cortes and the Fall of the Aztecs (Explorers of New Lands)

The conquest of the Aztecs is a mighty tale to tell and Rachel A. Koestler-Grack does a fine job of bringing history to life. The ambitions, defeats, and victories of explorer and conqueror Hernando Cortes are chronicled in ten well researched chapters. It often reads like an action-packed adventure novel. It presents a balanced account of the achievements of the Spanish and the Aztecs, as well as their dark sides of gruesome war, battles, and bloody sacrifices.

Several sidebars explore related topics in more detail, including the controversial role of La Malinche, translator and mistress to Cortes, and an overview of native Mexican cultures up to the time of the invasion. The author has done careful research and includes an extensive reference list. Each chapter ends with a list of multiple choice questions to stimulate students' recall of events.

This title is part of the "Explorers of New Lands" series and would be a welcome addition to any social studies or cultural history classes.