The Last Conquistador: Juan De Onate and the Settling of the Far Southwest (The Oklahoma Western Biographies, Vol 2) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "ON the morning of September 21, 1595, Don Juan de Onate y Salazar hurried through the streets of Mexico City, headed for the viceregal palace..." (more)
Key Phrases: last conquistador, viceregal capital, viceregal court, New Mexico, Mexico City, San Juan (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The history of hostile relations between New Mexico's Native Americans and their Hispanic conquerors is the subtext to this biography of the life of Onate, a Mexican of Basque descent who spent the years 1598 to 1607 exploring the Southwest from his colonial base in San Gabriel, just north of today's Santa Fe. Though he and his colonists owed their survival to the food and shelter provided by the Pueblo Indians, they were unable to coexist with other tribes, slaughtering many Native Americans. Onate achieved neither his goal of finding silver mines nor of gaining Christian converts. He ultimately left in disgrace. Historian Simmons rarely questions Onate's assumptions that the Native Americans owed him their land and their lives. His is a straightforward historical narrative occasionally relieved by insights into the Spanish character. No other recent or easily accessible biographies exist for this controversial figure, still known in some circles as the Father of New Mexico. Recommended for large collections where Southwest history or explorers are a priority.
- Keddy Ann Outlaw, Har ris Cty. P.L., Houston
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press (March 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806123680
• ISBN-13: 978-0806123684
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #569,714 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The real Onate, July 22, 2001

By	Mount Dolphx (Southwest, USA) - See all my reviews

Many have made their views of Onate and opinions clear here around New Mexico, but few have ever made even a slight reference to the men around Onate ... the time Onate lived in, but alas, Marc Simmons has a captivating impartial review of the infamous Onate.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History with the Verve of a Novel, January 11, 2007

By	T. G. Munyon - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Marc Simmons does an excellent job of telling a story. I have endured novels that were much less engaging and well told. Simmons brings immediacy and life to events that occurred four hundred years ago. I wish he had written the history texts I was compelled to read in high school.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History like a well told story , March 5, 2008

By	El Picaro "Lion of New Spain" (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

Marc Simmons can always be relied upon for giving acurate information in a compelling package. If you do not know the story of New Mexico's quasi feudal founding by Spanish Conqustidors in armor both the good and bad then you must buy this book quickly and correct your educational deficiency.