Menendez: Pedro Menendez de Aviles, Captain General of the Ocean Sea

by Albert C. Manucy

Everyone knows of Columbus and Ponce de Leon, but the name of Menendez is not as familiar. Yet Pedro Menendez de Aviles might truly be called one of the founding fathers of America, for he was the founder of the nation's oldest city—St. Augustine. This book is the first to be written about Menendez. It is based on scholarly research, but it is not just a work for the scholar. It was written for the education and enjoyment of any reader who wants to meet this remarkable man. Manucy has dramatized historic moments so that history comes alive and we find ourselves in the midst of it.

Genres: Biography

116 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed through this informative book looking for information about the founding of St Augustine. Menendez was quite a determined man. He was a sailor, an explorer, a military genius and a master administrator. He was also a murderer. The author tried to paint the massacre of the Huguenots at Matanzas Inlet as a military necessity, but that horrific act remains an example of man's capacity for duplicity, cruelty and self-deception.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very easy to read biography of the founder of St. Augustine. My father always told us that he was one of our ancestors so when I found this short book in a museum gift store I bought it. The biography concentrates on Melendez’s conquests and settlements in Florida. It was an interesting read.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this short book to be a very good introduction to a man who should be better known. American history, as taught in public educational institutions, is rife with the "black legend" spread by Protestant "victors." This book helps counter the warped idea most Americans have of the Spanish conquistadors.

[Christian Proano · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction about the founding and the Spanish colonization of Florida, as far as Menendez' life went on Florida, no tribe was forced to convert. I suspect what marked the difference was that there was no gold to be extracted from the Peninsula.

[Joe Spoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up at a museum in St. Augustine. It was very well researched and well-written.

[Mike Carolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty quick read that runs through historical events a bit too list-like for my taste.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clearly Albert Manucy is an apologist for explorer Menendez and his success of making a slaughterhouse of Florida during his days here. Manucy doesn't completely ignore the empirical evidence and documentation of the indians and French, but nary a word of it is in this volume of Menendez's life.

It is good to read the viewpoint Manucy has in this book. It just doesn't jive with all else we know or can shake out from what has been written. Is Manucy a strong Catholic and excuses the behaviour due to faith? It's only thing else that Manucy notes with a fervor throughout the book - Menendez's faith. It's certainly fine to base a person's lifestyle as a reason for actions. It is also important not to white wash all else and claim a book to be a history book. If Manucy had the intent to ignore Menendez's actions as that of a tribute to faith, then the book should have focused more specifically to Catholicism and how Menendez lived his life based on it.

The writing of this book, set more as an adventure novel, is sub-par.

Bottom line: I do not recommend this book.

[Chaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written for younger readers, informing, helpful. Not engrossing for someone a little older and a little irksome with some of the commentary, but still important in getting the word out about Menendez. A primer for younger audiences.

[Jeannie-marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy read. Good for introduction to Florida history.