Hernan Cortes: The Life of a Spanish Conquistador (Graphic Nonfiction) [Paperback]

David West (Author), Jackie Gaff (Author), Jim Eldridge (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 2005 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Graphic Nonfiction

Adventurous explorer or ruthless imperialist? In 1519, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés led a daring expedition to the heart of the Aztec Empire, in what is now central and southern Mexico. Within two years, this highly advanced civilization had fallen to the might of Cortés's Spanish conquerors, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of Aztecs. This engaging title explores two cultures in conflict--and the personality of a man driven by both insatiable greed and service to his country.

--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Reviewed with Roger Smalley's The Adventures of Marco Polo.

Gr. 4-6. Debuting this spring are two curriculum-connected, full-color comics series aimed at elementary- and middle-graders: Capstone's Graphic Library and Rosen's Graphic Nonfiction. Both series cling to popular social-science topics, with an eye toward multiculturalism (e.g., both offer volumes about Harriet Tubman), and though the individual volumes have been created by diverse authors and illustrators, the series themselves each have a consistent look and feel. Both include glossaries and other appendixes for student use; they also have tight bindings that will help them circulate longer, but may intrude on their appeal to reluctant readers.

Marco Polo is an engaging introduction to the Italian explorer's travels to the court of Kublai Khan, with art that occasionally rises above simple illustration to provide narrative content. A good representative of the series, it uses a broad approach to its subject's life and achievements, and it includes traditional narrative front matter (written at a higher level than the main text) and maps, which are often overly busy.

Cortes, like others in the series, focuses on one aspect of its subject's life, and creators have been careful to include Native American and female viewpoints in their depiction of Cortes' contact with the Aztecs. The illustrations make cunning use of Aztec glyphs, but otherwise add no new information. Francisca Goldsmith
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Review

"Excellent. Non-readers will enjoy the graphic format...I would definitely steer student to this series." -- L. Logsdon, Scott Middle School. Lincoln, NE --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Rosen Publishing Group (January 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1404251715
• ISBN-13: 978-1404251717
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #809,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Young readers graphic history, October 24, 2007

By 

Enrique Torres "Rico" (San Diegotitlan, Califas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hernan Cortes: The Life of a Spanish Conquistador (Graphic Nonfiction) (Paperback)

The first thing that seperates this young readers book from others is the innovative format. By comparison books like Columbus & Cortez: Conquerors for Christ or Hernan Cortes (Groundbreakers: Explorers) are not as "entertaining". The key is the presentation but staying true to giving the historical overview for young historians. The book is part of a series that literally and graphically bring the subjects to life. The series deals with major figures in world history that have changed or shaped contemporary and future societies. In this book, on the life of Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes, the authors give an explanation of the times in which the man lived and than jump into a graphic novel-comic book format detailing the conquest of Mexico. The first few pages is traditional in the sense that the subject is presented in short summaries of major events, such as, describing the Aztec Empire and the role of explorers and settlers. The heart of the book is the conquest which, as stated is a short graphic novel. Cortes's life and conquest is reduced to 35 pages of "comics" that are beautifully illustrated in color. The major events of the conquest, such as La Noche Triste, are covered, battles and the death of Cuautemoc, as well as the aftermath of the conquest are explained in simple terms and graphially for the young historian. If your child or student is a reluctant reader this book offers a good alternative while still providing a reading experience. Likewise if the student finds history "boring" than this book should help in that regard. This book is intended for 4th or 5th graders but would work well with middle school children. It would also be very beneficial for students whose first language is not English. The book also includes a glossary and a who's who section that explains who the major players are. I would highly recommend this book for middle school and community libraries or for parents who are inclined to buy books for their children.

4.0 out of 5 stars Hard to fine history in graphic novel form; this one is pretty good, September 13, 2011

By 

Frederick A Olowin - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Hernan Cortes: The Life of a Spanish Conquistador (Graphic Nonfiction) (Paperback)

I had to look quite a bit to find what I thought would be a good history graphic novel. I had just finished Buddy Levy's great book on Cortes, so was inspired to share the story with my 2 boys. This is not the best graphic novel out there (not that bad either), but Cortes' story is absolutely incredible, and this book conveys that well enough. My kids have dozens of books that they no longer look at, but this one comes back off the shelf now and again to be re-read and enjoyed.

4.0 out of 5 stars Bold Depiction of History, July 23, 2011

By 

Ohioan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hernan Cortes: The Life of a Spanish Conquistador (Graphic Nonfiction) (Paperback)

I was struck by the content of this book. It tells the story of Hernan Cortes and his annihilation of the Aztec people and destruction of their culture in a far more truthful way than is usually depicted. The words and illustrations work together to show the greed of the Conquistadores and their forcing of Christianity onto people who didn't want it. The story is told well, with the reader getting to see Cortes' thinking and strategy and Montezuma's thinking and strategy.

My one problem with this book is the anachronisms: putting modern-day thoughts and sayings into the mouths of people who lived 500 years ago. "Don't get me wrong," says a woman from the year 1520. I doubt that people 500 years ago used that expression.