The Conquistador: 1492–1550

Osprey Warrior #40

by John Pohl, Adam Hook (Illustrations)

Many accounts portray the conquest of the New World as a remarkable military achievement, with Cortés' vastly outnumbered but better armed Spaniards defeating hordes of superstitious savages. However, the reality of these events is far more complex and no less significant. The first Conquistadors who had sailed in search of prosperity, inspired by dreams of unlimited riches, soon became disillusioned and restless. With disease rampant, resources exhausted, and the Caribbean populations dwindling, they had little alternative but to find new territories and peoples to exploit. This title shows how, bolstered by influxes of war-hardened veterans from Europe and an army of over 30,000 allied Indian troops, they came to rely on and perfect what they knew best - killing for profit, and without mercy.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military History

64 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 2001

Reviews

[Alexander Lemeshko · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are better books out there

Factual narrative done better by Diaz and Cortes. Description of military hardware is very inaccurate. And it is mostly about Cortes expedition, so grab "Tenochtitlan" in Osprey battles series. It is much better.