Juan Ponce De Leon and the Spanish Discovery of Puerto Rico and Florida (Paperback)

~ Robert H. Fuson (Author) "In the year of Juan Ponce de Leon's birth - 1474 - there was no such thing as "Spain..." (more)
Key Phrases: Juan Ponce, San Juan Bautista, Santo Domingo (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Most fourth graders learn that Juan Ponce de Le"n was looking for the Fountain of Youth when he discovered Florida in 1513. Ponce de Le"n, a member of the Spanish upper class, sailed with Columbus on his second expedition and became a prosperous farmer on Hispaniola and later governor of Puerto Rico. In 1516, he was searching for a rumored island west of Cuba called Bimini when he instead came upon the peninsula of Florida, which he explored in two expeditions but never colonized. He was the first European to discover the value of the Gulf Stream, which was so vital to the Atlantic crossings. Ponce de Le"n was killed by Indians near Tampa in 1521. He found no gold and founded no colonies, and his explorations were overshadowed by the achievements of Cortes and Pizzaro in Mexico and Peru, respectively. Fuson, a historical geographer at the University of South Florida, demonstrates that Ponce de Le"n was an honest, deliberate, and rational man at a time when abuse, greed, and treachery often prevailed. The author has brought together an extensive collection of facts, original documents, maps, and illustrations bearing on the life and legacy of this important figure. A beautifully written and well-illustrated work that should be in all public and academic libraries.DStanley L. Itkin, Hillside P.L., New Hyde Park, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ponce de Leon has been held up frequently as an object of ridicule for his quest for the Fountain of Youth. Fuson, a historical geographer and professor emeritus at the University of Southern Florida, successfully attempts to provide a more balanced portrait of a largely effective explorer and administrator. This is a sober, well-documented biography that reveals Ponce de Leon as a serious servant of Spain and a solid professional soldier. Fuson deftly places his subject within the historical context of both sixteenth-century Spain and the New World. Unlike other conquistadores, he was not obsessed with the search for gold. Although he was no proponent of religious or racial equality, his expeditions were notable for the relatively humane treatment of the Native Americans they encountered. Fuson has written a useful and informative work that dispels many of the myths surrounding an interesting and surprisingly admirable man. Jay Freeman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company; 1st Printing edition (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0939923823
• ISBN-13: 978-0939923823
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,004,866 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!! A+++++++++, April 21, 2003

By	Linda (saddle river, nj United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Juan Ponce De Leon and the Spanish Discovery of Puerto Rico and Florida (Hardcover)

I had a history report on Ponce de Leon and this book covered every question and topic I had. The content is very detailed, but too complex for children under 11.