With startling speed, Spanish conquistadors invaded hundreds of Native American kingdoms, took over the mighty empires of the Aztecs and Incas, and initiated an unprecedented redistribution of the world's resources and balance of power. They changed the course of history, but the myth they established was even stranger than their real achievements. This Very Short Introduction deploys the latest scholarship to shatter and replace the traditional narrative. Chapters explore New World civilizations prior to the invasions, the genesis of conquistador culture on both sides of the Atlantic, the roles black Africans and Native Americans played and the consequences of the invasions. The book reveals who the conquistadors were and what made their adventures possible. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

About the Author
Matthew Restall is Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Latin American History and Director of Latin American Studies, Pennsylvania State University. Felipe Fernandez-Armesto is William P. Reynolds Professor of History, University of Notre Dame.

Reviews
[a] sparkling little book ... Richly packed with maps, sources and intriguing nuggets of information. * BBC History Magazine *



Book Information
ISBN 9780195392296
Author Matthew Restall
Format Paperback
Page Count 144
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 114g
Dimensions(mm) 173mm * 115mm * 9mm