Customer Reviews

Chapultepec

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This is one of the most intelligent, interesting, and best written historical novels I've read in a long time. The characters are well defined and realistic, the era beautifully brought to life. Zollinger is a newly discovered literary treasure for me and he deserves wider attention. John Pessler

I purchased this book from on "on sale" rack outside a bookstore - bought it because it was cheap. What a find! This is a great historical novel about a time in Mexico I knew very little about. The setting and characters come alive as the reader begins to see the tremendous complexities of this time in Mexico. Only drawback - a bit too many Spanish and French phrases (although usually easily figured out) and a bit too detailed in some of the battle scenes - lovers of battle strategies will love it.

Chapultepec is an interesting romantic story set against the backdrop of the French invasion and adventure in Mexico during the 1860's. When this reader thinks of Chapultepec, however, the U.S.-Mexican War of 1846-1848 and the mythic defense and destruction of the students of Mexico's Military Academy comes most quickly to mind. In this novel the incident is mentioned and used as a plot tool. Chapultepec castle is featured, but neither the castle nor the incident is really central to the story. Because writer makes frequent use of expressions in Spanish and French, some familiarity with both languages is helpful for the reader.